hello 2012!

We're off to a great start in 2012!  We enjoyed an early celebration with Cindy, Ryan, and Izzy at a neighborhood sponsored party complete with fireworks.  A week later, we took a whirlwind trip to Panama City to visit with family and friends.  We've had lots of foursome time together since Paul has had a full week free from work.  Can't wait to see what else 2012 has in store for us!  Happy New Year!

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!

magical morning

It was a very magical Christmas morning at the Street house this year.  The girls couldn't wait to see what Santa brought them.  Emma Jane was tickled with her new sleeping bag, but she was really excited to see who was inside...the Little Einsteins!  Vivian was more interested in the wrapping and tissue paper, but she was also pretty impressed with her pink cozy coupe.  Emma Jane tried out Vivi's new car, but she was also thrilled to receive her very own pink scooter.  Since it was a rainy Christmas Day, the girls spent the morning cruising around the house in their new rides and happily playing with their toys. 

We are so grateful for our two sweet, precious girls.  Although it was so much fun to watch them open their presents, just spending this special time together means so much more.  In the words of Dr. Seuss...

"Then the Grinch thought

of something he hadn't before...

What if Christmas, he thought,

doesn't come from a store?

What if Christmas, perhaps,

means a little bit more?"

In the words of Emma Jane...

"Happy Birfday to Baby Jesus!"