Atlanta

What a trip! We left for Georgia on December 22nd excited about Christmas, New Years and all that the season would hold. It was fabulous. Then, Nate and I decided that it would work out for Will and I to stay a bit longer after he went back to Virginia. So, Will and I are on week 3 of our (almost) 4 week visit at this point. I am excited to have the opportunity for Will to really get to know his family as more than familiar strangers we visit to actual familiar loved ones who are a part of his little world.

But, I am ahead of myself. That is what happens when you get behind on blogging. I figured I would dive in while the baby boy naps in hopes to get something together. We'll see how long he lasts.

We arrived into Atlanta and the hubbub of Christmas festivities. Over the course of our visit we stayed both with Nate's family and my own. We got to make Christmas cookies with Hilary, Ben and Audrey. We did our traditional Christmas Eve party at my parents house which is always a good time with many people, good food and Christmas carols in the den before we go off to wait on Santa. Christmas Day was extra special because some of Nate's family was visiting from South Carolina and Ohio so we got to share some of our day with them. After Christmas we traveled South to see my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. at my cousin's 30th birthday party. It was so much fun to see them, see their farm and watch Will interact with his cousins. These are the children of my cousins that I grew up playing with at our grandparents farm. It blesses my heart to spend time with all of them, although some were missing (Tuinstras!). We spent some time at my family's lakehouse enjoying that peaceful place. Nate and I got to do an overnight trip at Chateau Elan leaving Will with my parents for an evening. That was great fun. New Years was spent at the lake with a cozy and fun evening with my family on the eve and then extensions of our family New Years Day with the traditional Southern feast of pork, greens, black eyed peas and cornbread. Yum! Nate headed home shortly after that and it sure was sad to say goodbye even though it was nice to stay longer. He'll be back MLK weekend to collect us. Will sure is missing his Daddy and is enjoying the evening phone calls with smiles and giggles.

Those are some of the highlights from our Christmas/NYears Trip. We were blessed with a generous Christmas and Will enjoyed opening presents this year though I think next year is when the magic will really begin. That child is definitely not short on toys or love.

Here are some pictures from our adventures...

Will and Daddy












Uncle John, Will, Nate, me and Aunt Jenna












Nana and Will playing with the refrigerator magnets.












Christmas Cookie Decorating.












Will on Christmas Eve.












Christmas Eve Caroling - Will having a ball dancing to all the music and amusing everyone. Not so shy this one.

















Helping Uncle Stephen play guitar during carols.












Mommy and Will.

















Christmas Morning.












Christmas morning all the boys got dart guns in their stockings. You can imagine the nerf war that broke out in our den. Will even got in on the action. He thought it was hysterical.










Christmas Dinner with Nate's Family.












Playing at my cousin's farm. Will had so much fun on Carter's four wheeler. Carter is about 6 months older than Will. I didn't think he would be able to get it to go, but he quickly did. Boys! Note the smile and the blurry photo because it was an action shot. Great fun and great land to play on.












We walked out to see the cows. Will wasn't that impressed. This is Auntie Em, Carter, Riley, me and Will.












He was impressed with all the tractors.

















Will absolutely loves all dogs. When he sees or hears one he squeals, "doggieeee." He is fearless around them which might be a bad thing but so far it's been great.

















Will's first fried chicken. To say he loved it would be an understatement.













Will and Carter playing on Riley's gator.













My cousin put Will up on the tractor because Will was clearly in awe of them, however, Will was not so excited about being up by himself. Poor little city boy. I think next year will be a different story.













Giving his great-grandfather a high five.












...and his great grannie a kiss.












Sitting with his Nana at the lake before bedtime.












Playing with Audrey on New Years Day. Audrey is 6 months older than Will, but since our beach trip in August he has outgrown her. It was bound to happen.












Giving Auntie Em a kiss.












Nate and I on our date night.













Hilary and Ben came over and joined us for dinner. So much fun!













We hope all of you had as much fun of a Christmas and New Years that we did.

We are blessed..