And... I'm back

What a whirlwind it's been.  I kept meaning to get on here and post something, and now it's already the 2nd week of December.  Time has been flying by.  I thought I'd post a couple pictures of a few things that we've been up to since I was on here last. 

 Dan and I went and saw the Zac Brown Band.  This was my 2nd concert that I've ever been to.  The last one I had been to was when I was in 3rd grade.  So it's been a couple years.  ;)

 Here is Emma with one of her newest cousins, Crosby.  He is such a sweet boy!

 My Dad just turned 60 at the end of last month.  We had a small family get together.  Here he is playing a game with the girls.

 I decided this year to try the elf on the shelf.  I figured that Gracie and Jesse were too big for it.  But I was hoping that maybe Emma would have some fun with it.  Her name is Taylor and she hasn't done too much so far.  The first night I put some sugar on the counter and had Taylor make a snow angel in it.  Emma was very excited and tried really hard to convince Jesse that Taylor is real.  Jesse just shook his head and said, "That's a waste of good sugar".  That's Jesse for you.  :)

Last night Taylor wrapped toilet paper all around the tree and got all tangled up in it.  Emma is now fully convinced that Taylor is real.  And just in case Emma needed anymore convincing, when we went to see Santa, Emma asked for a piano and Santa told her that he would have to check with his Elf. 

 Every year the girls in my family head out of town for a couple of days and do some Christmas shopping together.  There were quite a few this year who couldn't make it, but we managed to have lots of fun anyways.  Mom, Lindy and I went to get our nails done after we went out for dinner.  Now I need to get everything wrapped and under the tree.  

 Dan got my fireplace up and running for the first time in 6 years, so I try to hurry and get most of my chores done as fast as I can so I can hurry over and sit by the fire with my coffee.  It's my most favorite spot in the house!