Christmas Day

Christmas morning at the Gillespie house started very early. Sadie was ready to go at 5AM, but Nana and Big Daddy held her off until 6:30 when Josh and Brianna got there. She was super excited to see what Santa had brought her. It was a great day with family and a blessing to be together.

Sadie in front of her Christmas tree.

Playing with Uncle Josh.

A picture I was thankful to snap while they were both looking in the general direction of the camera. :) Not exactly the most lady like picture, but I think it's cute anyway.

Sadie writing her letter to Santa on Christmas Eve.

Sadie with her Rapunzel purse and headband.

And her Tangled doll.

Big Daddy helping Claire open her present.

A tickle me Elmo. Claire loves to hug her Elmo and really loves to chew on his nose :)

Christmas week at Nana and Big Daddy's house

We have just gotten back from a great week at Nana and Big Daddy's house in Savannah. Sadie has been excited for weeks and the trip did not disappoint. We had such a great time with family and enjoyed relaxing for a few days. Nana took such great care of us. The girls love them so much. Claire would reach and fuss whenever she saw either one of them until they would hold her. Sadie was so excited when we got there that she did not go to sleep the first night until 3:30AM. She then was awake again at 6. I had her laying with me and she leaned over and whispered at about 6:15, "Mama, I need to see Nana, Big Daddy and the puppies." How can you argue with that? Every morning after that Nana would go get her when she woke up and take her in to see Big Daddy. Needless to say she kept waking up earlier and earlier the longer we were there. The last morning...4:30AM!

The girls loved having puppies for a week. They have to enjoy it there because I am not a pet person so puppies are not in our future. (At this point anyway. The girls aren't quite old enough to ask so we'll see...) Claire has had a little bit of trouble adjusting to not having puppies at home. She loved to drop her food for them at Nana and Big Daddy's house so since we've been home she has continued to drop food from her tray and then will lean over the side looking for the puppies. It's pretty cute. Anyway, here are a few picures from the trip. I haven't posted Christmas morning yet, my plan is to make that a seperate post. 4 more days before we go back to school, but I will get it done!

Thanks for a great week Nana, Big Daddy, Aunt Bri and Uncle Josh. We are so thankful that we were all able to be together!





One day we went to downtown Savannah and rode a ferry to a hotel to see some Gingerbread houses. The girls loved the boat ride.

Checking out the Gingerbread.

Claire on the boat.

So sweet.

A picture of Riverstreet from acroos the river at the hotel.

Making cookies with Nana.

Decorating the Christmas Tree Nana had just for the girls. Sadie loved it.

Hanging out before bed time with Daddy.

Helping Nana make rice krispy treats. Sadie is sporting her 3D glasses she got when Aunt Bri and Uncle Josh took her to see Yogi Bear.

Claire's Birthday

The Saturday before we left for Nana and Big Daddy's house we had some friends over for dinner to celebrate Claire turning one. Claire and Sadie both seemed to have a great time. In fact, Sadie is still talking about Claire's birthday. It was great to celebrate Claire and the blessing that she is to our family.

Sarah made a flower cake that matched Claire's outfit perfectly!

I don't think she knew quite what to think about the cake, but she figured it out.

Yummy!

Starting to feel a little sick...

and she's had enough.

We ended the evening with Claire playing with a few new toys.

Claire's first year!

Claire is turning 1 tomorrow! When I look back at the pictures I can't believe how much she has changed and I can't believe how fast it has gone. She already has such a personality. I just love to see her smile, laugh, and even throw little fits. She really seems to be content most of the time. She does have a 3 year old sister to watch and help keep her entertained. She has just started clapping her hands to "If you're happy and you know it" and she will put her head back and go "Aaahhhhh" when you act like you are going to sneeze. That is really cute! I need to post a video of it.

I just love to watch Claire and Sadie together. They are so sweet to each other. Exept when Claire tries to take things from Sadie, but that really doesn't happen too much. I love to catch them "playing" in Sadie's room or Sadie saying to Claire, "Come on baby" and Claire taking off after her down the hall to go see what they can find. I can not wait to watch them grow up together and have each other as sisters and friends.

Claire, I remember holding you in the hospital and thanking God for giving me such a beautiful baby. I can not wait to see the life that God has in store in for you and I am praying just like your dad and I have been since before you were born that you will listen to his leading and become what he wants you to be. We know that he has great plans for you. We pray also that we will be the parents that he wants us to be to lead you to be that person. You already are such a sweet spirit and beautiful child. We love you and Happy Birthday!

Exciting Day!

It was an exciting day at the Gillespie house... We threw away the bottles! We've been working on Claire taking a cup for a while now and she hasn't had a bottle since Monday! Way to go Claire!!!! She was a little fussy at first, but I think she likes that she can get the milk out faster because she has been chugging it. I am so excited not to have to wash bottles anymore I don't quite know what to do. Claire will be 1 in just two weeks. Hard to believe.