Pullen Park is SO MUCH FUN!

We are very fortunate that Raleigh has lots of wonderful parks. The crowned jewel of these is Pullen Park, which has been newly rennovated and the carousel, children’s boats and train are now open for business again. The entire family had a blast riding and enjoying the lovely day. While these pictures are all of Grace, that’s because Abby wasn’t interested in having her picture taken and looks odd in all of the snapshots. She’s not quite as excited about the choo-choo train as Grace and the music on the carousel was pretty loud in her opinion, so we got no good pictures of Abby enjoying her day, but I assure you, there were parts that she did like, and she REALLY wanted to ring the bell on Grace’s boat. Mama had to let her know that she’d have to wait until next year for that treat.

Grace loved riding the merry-go-round

Choo-choo trains are fun!

Captain Grace is practicing her skills!

Checking out the slide

Flower girl

Today Grace got a wonderful present in the mail from her Uncle Mike and (soon-to-be) Aunt Mary Bess. Grace is so excited to be a flowergirl, and is really looking forward to their big day!

Unwrapping her present

So very cool!

Modeling her dress

Practicing her petal tossing abilities

Soccer to start the new year

Grandpa gave Gracie a cool present for Christmas and today Daddy took the opportunity to show Grace how much she might enjoy the game.

Daddy shows off his soccer skills

Jessica Bear: 10 months old

My my, time flies! Here is Jessica’s picture with Abby for this month. Grace also wanted to get in on the action (but who’s surprised about that?! )

So happy to be 10 months old, but ready to be on the move!

Both girls with their pal Jessica

Marbles

Marbles Kids Museum is one of our favorite hangouts when we have free times. While Abby is a bit young for some areas, she loved playing in the “underwater room” with Grace. Grace LOVES the water table, and the girls loved playing together in the infant play area. Much fun was had by all!

Underwater is so much fun!

In the infant play area

Grace was hiding in the infant area, but Abby found her!

Much to busy playing to smile…

Grace’s favorite place at Marbles

At the park with Emmy, Jenny & Bish-Bish

So much fun!

Abby loves her Great Grandma Emmy

Checking out the Christmas tree

Tickling Greatest Aunt Jenny on the slide

Off to Christmas Eve services!

Here’s a picture of us right before we headed off to St. James the Fisherman church for the children’s service. It was interesting to ‘wrangle’ two children during the service (no nursery) it was a great joy to have the children involved in something that is part of many wonderful memories of years past for me.

The ladies at Christmas Eve

Seeing Santa!

Today was the North Carolina Museum of Art’s annual visit from Santa! This was our first time attending, but we had so much fun making ornaments and hearing Christmas stories (and Kwaanza stories and Hanukkah stories too) that we’ll be back next year, I’m sure! Grace loved dancing to the music that the band near the information table about Hanukkah was playing, and Daddy loved seeing the Rembrandt exhibit!

Grace loved dancing to the music!

Abby got tired of hearing stories

Abby wonders who this guy is that’s holding her

Listening to stories

I think we found our Christmas card!

Happy Holidays!

Heaven

Today when Grace was playing, I asked her what she was doing and she said that *this* was Heaven. For posterity’s sake, I wanted to capture her version of Heaven at 3. Makes you think, really– what more does one need than a funny family all together? I could get behind this version of Heaven.

Christmas Pageant

This year, the Christmas pageant was a little less eventful than last year; Grace was the littlest (and sleepiest, ’cause she was to excited to nap) angel. Abby opted to watch this year as the role of Baby Jesus had already been claimed by someone younger. She brought a sheep with her though, to get ready for her role next year.

The whole cast

After enacting the birth of Jesus, a girl can work up an appetite! We had a great time at the all parish pot luck but due to our nap-skipping girl had to miss out on the all parish caroling. Maybe next year!