Andy and Gigi-Papa

Gigi and Gigi-Papa were here for a visit the first weekend in December. Andy and Gigi-Papa had some great quality time...great buddies.

Breakfast with Santa

Our church hosted the annual Breakfast with Santa at the beginning of December.

There were crafts...



There were games...



which Scarlett watched from a safe distance.


And there was of course the main attraction...Santa. This year there were no tears shed (by the Q kids) in Santa's lap. Rachel asked for a DSI, Andy asked for a toy robot, and Scarlett remained silent. Andy thought she should ask for diapers.

O Christmas Tree

I'd like to introduce you to the Q Christmas Tree selection committee. These three were responsible for our choosing our tree this year. Scarlett and I held down the fort (it was cold and rainy) while these three traipsed through the local lot to find just the right one. I think they did a great job.


We continued our tradition of decorating cookies while David strung the lights.



Rachel was excited to put the star on the top.



Rachel and Andy love going through the ornaments and hearing the stories that go along with each keepsake.



Scarlett enjoyed watching from a safe distance.


Andy's attention wore out and he decided to try sliding on the floor with his socks on his hands.


We finished decorating the tree just in time for Gigi and Papa took their annual Christmas card picture with all four of their babies.

Day Trip to NYC

While visiting Nana and Papa, we took a day trip to New York.

Scarlett stayed home with a sitter, but the rest of the "kids" posed for a group shot upon arriving.


Our first stop was the American Girl store. The girls (and Andy) had a blast shopping there while the other boys explored the nearby Lego store.


Andy was so thrilled to get his first American Girl toy, a rabbit named Nutmeg. When he got it he said, "I finally got an American Girl." I didn't know he was so interested.


After our shopping was finished, we headed to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes.


We all anxiously awaited the show.


Everyone loved the show. Andy was on the edge of his seat (my lap) for the entire show. He says he wants to be a dancing Santa in the Rockette show when he grows up.

Nana, Andy, and Rachel would all make great Rockettes.






Andy and Rachel continued practicing their Rockette moves for the rest of the day.


After dinner we headed to the M&M store.


The kids had fun filling a bag with all of the fun M&M varieties.



We had a great day exploring NYC!

Delaware

We spent Thanksgiving in Delaware at Nana and Papa's house. We were joined by Pam, Matt, Zach, MacKenzie, and Ben who all made the trip from Alabama.

We survived our first flight where the kids outnumbered the adults.


The cousins all got along wonderfully.




I think Rachel and Ben look so much alike. I think Rachel resembles Ben more than she does Scarlett or Andy.


It was the first time Scarlett met her cousins. They were quite taken with each other. Zach got Scarlett to give her first high-five.


Zach and MacKenzie both helped Scarlett try to walk.


Scarlett got some quality time with Nana and Papa.



Nana and her granddaughters all together for the first time...


Nana spent a lot of time with her two oldest granddaughters in the craft room. These three girls worked hard for several days. They all definitely share a love of crafting.



Papa got the T-Bird out. David took Rachel for a ride. She enjoyed herself, but was bothered by the absence of seat belts.



Andy didn't get a ride in the T-bird, but he did have fun driving with a neighbor friend.


We went to the Air Command Museum on base. The kids loved exploring the airplanes.




While there, Andy and Rachel were interviewed by a reporter covering the train exhibit. We forgot to watch the news to see if they made the cut.



Rachel tried on an aviator jacket and looked awfully cute.


Nana hosted a Red Solo Cup Party. We had a great time, but I think she was a little disappointed that Toby Keith didn't show up. Rachel and I have had that song stuck in our heads since November.



We had a super Thanksgiving feast (thanks, Nana!).


Scarlett dressed in her turkey-butt jammies for the occasion.


We sure enjoyed ourselves and loved being with family.