5 Year Anniversary

For our 5 year anniversary (the week before actually), Scott and I went to Crystal River and kayaked with the manatees. We had a wonderful time and saw so many manatees! We saw a lot of babies with their mamas and even saw one nursing. The juvenile manatees were curious and came up to us wanting their noses to be scratched. One even rolled over so I would rub his belly! They have nails on their fins. That evening we had dinner on the river and listened to live music while enjoying one another company. It was a lovely trip. The pictures didn't turn out great (old film in the disposable I guess), but they will give you a sense of things.

Heading out of the center

Mama and baby

Petting a manatee

Right before I scratched his nose

Petting another manatee

The actual day of our anniversary, Scott, Addi, and I went to Cypress restaurant here in Tallahassee. The food was some of the best food we've ever had and the chefs had utilized a lot of local flavors to create true culinary masterpieces. Scott had flowers at home earlier that day...white daisies and orange tulips - my two favorite flowers.

My Pictures From SC (By Addison)

I got a new camera for Christmas and have been busy taking pictures with it. Here are some of my pictures from SC.

Close-up of Sitti's pillow

I shared and let someone else take this picture

Digger the dog

Santa decoration in the window

Sittin in the kitchen

Mama and the tree

Mimi in her kitchen

Mim and Grandaddy

The angel on top of the tree

Another tree picture - it was so beautiful

Papa

The ornaments

I like taking pictures of myself

Minnie, the Minnie phone, and my new play puppie

Mim and Grandaddy's front yard

Toy Traveller

My point-of-view - I call it Looking Out

Just getting some eye-level pictures 

I really like the outside pictures since I don't have a flash

Daddy!

Holidays Part 3: Christmas Eve and Beyond

 We spent Christmas Eve hanging out with family. Later that afternoon we went to church and then several of the "Baucoms" came over to Mom and Dad's. That evening Addi was excited to put out cookies for Santa, and she made sure she was really good so that Santa would bring her a Minnie Mouse for Christmas. That was what she had told us she wanted to Santa to bring her the week before. She was VERY excited that not only did Santa bring her a Minnie, but a Minnie phone, and a piano as well as some books and clothes. We spent the morning at Mom and Dad's house and after Addi's nap we headed over to Marie and Ricky's to spend the afternoon with them. Then we headed out to Bowman for Scott's big family get together. Addi enjoyed taking pictures of everyone with her new camera (thanks Sitti and Papa!) and just enjoyed helping everyone open presents. She did get a little overwhelmed after her first few presents and just wanted to play. The day after Christmas we headed back over to Marie and Ricky's for a get together with Derrick, Sally, and Ella Russell. There we exchanged presents, and we visited with each other before heading outside to play. The rest of the week home was spent visiting with friends and family and trying to get time in with everyone. Of course there is never enough time, but we did get to see a lot of our friends and family. Addi is having a blast playing with her new toys and reading her new books. Each day she gets into something else new. It was a wonderful Christmas and the entire holiday reminded me of all the wonderful blessings in my life.

Raking leaves with Papa Christmas Eve morning

Just got home from Church and getting ready for the Baucom Christmas Eve celebration at Papa and Sitti's house - this is the dress Mom made for Michelle and I when we were little

Hanging out with the family on Christmas Eve

Sporting her favorite new hat and eating a candy cane...life is good!

Christmas morning - hanging out with Minnie and playing the piano

Taking pictures with my new camera

Oooohhh that looks like fun!

Mimi and Grandaddy's house

Helping Mimi give out presents

Helping Grandaddy open presents

This box looks like fun!

Day after Christmas - helping ER open presents

Playing t-ball!

Thanks ER for letting me ride your Barbie four wheeler!

A few days after Christmas - visiting with Brooks

More t-ball - looks like Addi might be a lefty when she bats - just like her Daddy

Holidays Part 2: Our Trip to NC

Mom, Addi, and I spent three days in Belmont, NC at the convent visiting family and friends. Addi and I also visited Carrie and her family in Kannapolis but it was only for a few hours. :( We did get a chance to eat at the Townhouse though - yum - and visit with Marty, Mr. Reed, and Mrs. Linda while at lunch. Addi ate all of Mrs. Linda's mashed potatoes, and I was glad that we are all like family otherwise I would have been mortified! After the initial offer, she kept going for them and eventually stopped asking permission. She normally doesn't like mashed potatoes but mashed potatoes with gravy from the Townhouse is another story! We had a great time at the convent visiting with Sr. Michel and Aunt Libby and the rest of our "family" there. I grew up visiting the convent and many of the sisters (such as Sr. Mary Andrew or "Sr. Boo" and Sr. Soledad) are like family. The day we had to leave Lisa and Chris came to visit. They were in town for the holidays and we were sooooo excited that we got to see them. It too was a short visit but a couple of hours is better than no time at all. I miss everyone so much so it was a wonderful Christmas present for us all.

Enjoying her first ice cream cone - we are spoon and bowl folks :)

Walking with Aunt Libby

Playing with Mary Elizabeth

So much fun! I can't believe how much M.E. has grown!

Her second ice cream cone...one perk of visiting the convent - the sweets!

Outside looking at Christmas lights with Sitti

Four generations - Aunt Libby on the left and Sr. Michel in the front right

We are family! Chris and Lisa join our picture. 

Lisa and Addi

Sr. Michel was bestowed an award for service from the President of Lebanon and since I couldn't make it for the ceremony, I got her to pose with her award for me.  

Addi got into taking pictures so here is one she took of the tree.