birthday boy

Since Paul's birthday falls smack dab between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, he really doesn't get the celebration he deserves.  This year the girls helped me try to make it special for him.  While Paul took Vivi out for a walk, Emma Jane and I made birthday brownies and decorated the house with balloons and streamers.  After dinner, Paul opened his gifts with Vivian's help.  As he was opening his gift from us, Emma Jane shouted, "Hurry and open your present so I can play some fun games with you, Dad!"  So much for keeping secrets...and by the way, Paul is wearing the beautiful floral lei at Emma Jane's insistence.  She said he needed to look fancy for his party!

cousin cuties

Aunt Cindy, Uncle Ryan, and Izzy came to see us a few days after Christmas.  Izzy and Emma Jane, only two months apart, had a blast together!  Vivian loved having some special time with her aunt and uncle, too.  We kept the girls busy with trips to Edventure and the park, as well as a late night ride through the Saluda Shoals Christmas Lights.  It meant a lot to us to have the Duke family here and we miss them already!