Emmeline Louise and Santa Clause

Last Wednesday Emmeline and I met friends at the Christiana Mall. I suggested that we go see Santa, and considering her response last year, I figured that she would be less than excited to sit on Santa's lap. I was, however, greatly mistaken. She decided that she wanted to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what she would like for Christmas. What a complete and total surprise. Paul was not with us and I must say that I wouldn't have endeavored this without him; I thought she would have retreated from Santa's workshop immediately. Instead, she was content to stand in a very long line so that she could see Santa and tell him what she wanted for Christmas. She told him, "A toy, present and books." Ok, Emmleine Louise. Not a problem:

Happy Belated Thanksgiving

We had a pretty quiet Thanksgiving this year. It was just the three of us for most of the day and we celebrated in the morning with our usual traditions. We watched the Macy's parade, made monkey bread (caramel and cinnamon biscuits) and made cranberry bread to bring to Thanksgiving dinner. We had dinner with our neighbor Rachel and her family. It was so nice to sit around a large table with family gathered around. And this Thanksgiving we are more thankful than ever that even though our families are 1,500 miles away, we still have a lot of places to go and people who love us right here in the Mid-Atlantic.

Sweet Emmy Lou, our little turkey
(her teachers took this pic at school)