Christmas and New Years in Michigan

I apologize in advance for the length of this post, but we spent the holidays in Michigan with family so I was unable to post as events happened.  We left for Michigan on December 21st in the afternoon which brought us into Detroit about 1:45 a.m.  I don't know why we would expect any different, but Ryleigh was a dream to travel with.  She slept for most of the 10 hour drive, getting fussy only a couple times to let us know it was time to eat.  Lucy also slept for most of the drive, with her head inside the carseat resting on Ryleigh's feet.  ADORABLE!

Christmas Eve was spent with the Elliott side of the family.  We went to Aunt Lori's house in the morning for breakfast so the whole Mason clan could meet little Ryleigh.  We then headed over to Scott & Julie Thornbro's house for our traditional Elliott/Thornbro Christmas.  There Ryleigh met all her cousins, second cousins, second cousins once removed, etc. etc.

 meeting Great Aunt Lori...she'll say that she's always been great : )

meeting Jenna

meeting Kara



Lucy isn't too sure about Uncle Dale's gift to Ryleigh

so excited about my gifts!

Ryleigh got her very own jewlery box made by Great-Grandpa Elliott

spending some quality time with Great-Grandma Elliott

 Ryleigh with all her gifts from Yaya & Poppi, Great-Grandma & Grandpa and the Masons

 Daddy sneaking in some Ryleigh time

 playing with her new flutterby

 Ryleigh meets her new "stuffed" English Bully...we named her Ethel

Cousin Mackenzie helping give Ryleigh her binky

Christmas morning  we woke up and opened all Ryleigh's gifts from Santa. 

 Ryleigh with all her gifts from Santa

 Mommy had to help open them though...

 she also had to get excited since Ryleigh doesn't quite get how Christmas works yet

 Ryleigh with all her opened gifts from Santa

 Lucy enjoying all her new toys from Santa too

 Ryleigh's favorite gift of all...money

Happy little family on Christmas morning

We then spent the rest of Christmas Day with the Richardson side of the family.  We got to hang out all day with Gammy, Grandad, Uncle Dave, Aunt Cristin, Tyler, Kylie, Aunt Sheri, Heather, Heidi, Mamaw and Papaw.

Cristin with the pooches (Lucy and Blue)

 We got Tyler a remote control boat for his birthday (December 18),

he just had to test it out in the hot tub

Exhausted from the festivities already!

 Ryleigh with her Great-Aunt Sheri

 Papaw and his "lil' toot"

 with Heather and Papaw

still fighting over the blue chair

 taking a break from being behind the camera

Mommy and her baby

The next week was spent relaxing, shopping, and introducing friends and other family members to Ryleigh.  Steve and I got to go out to dinner with some old friends from high school; Elaine and her fiance Kyle; from New York, Erin and her husband Shaun, and Jeff and his girlfriend Hannah.  Also, Ryleigh had a fairly big week.  On December 28th, she rolled over for the first time!  She's only done it a handful of times since then, but she did do it!!  She is really good at going from her back to her side, but every once and a while, she'll make it over to her belly.  Ryleigh also got a Bumbo seat for Christmas, so we try to put her in it a little bit each day.  Hopefully our little girl will start sitting up on her own pretty soon.  Here are some pictures of our week of relaxation:

 all dressed up for Church

smiling and playing with Daddy, plus she LOVES being naked

wearing my cute new shoes Gammy got me

first try in the Bumbo

learning how to relax from Daddy

enjoying a visit from family friends, Wally & Virginia

the dessert I made for Wally & Virginia's visit, a chocolate cherry trifle

Lucy is exhausted from the holidays & taking full advantage of the vacant boppy
(and she totally did this herself, we did not pose her in any way)

Our New Years Eve was spent with the Richardson family.  We dined on finger foods all day, watched the Red Wings game and just lounged around.  Steve and I then went to a friends house to spend the rest of our New Years Eve with some old friends from High School...after I kissed my baby and put her to bed for the night, of course ; ) 

Aunt Cristin, Kylie and Ryleigh on New Years Eve

Patiently waiting for 2011...she made it 'til 9:00pm 

watching the Red Wings game in my new Bumbo

Steve with friends from high school, Elaine & Erin

 with Elaine, Megan, & Erin

Steve toasting the New Year with Erin & her husband Shaun.

with Megan & her fiance Jake.

Steve and I celebrating an amazing 2010

New Years Day we spent with the Loudermilk side of the family.  We exchanged Christmas gifts, relaxed and caught up.  We spent the day with Uncle Lloyd, Susan, Jimmy, Victoria, Andrew, Eleanor, Ava, Veronica and Kevin.

with Great Uncle Lloyd

with Veronica who has been waiting patiently since October to love on me

with cousins Eleanor and Ava

Andrew getting in some Ryleigh love

Finally on January 2nd, we headed back home to North Carolina.  It was great to be able to spend so much time with family and to get to see some old friends, but after being away for 12 days, we sure were ready to be home.  Again, Ryleigh and Lucy made it through the trip like a dream, minus a couple poopy diapers. 

Lucy hates when she's blocked out of the front seat!

our two babies sleeping in the backseat on the drive home

We love the holiday season and really enjoy coming up to Michigan to see everyone.  We had a great time, filled with many great memories.  We are so happy that everyone was able to spend some time with Ryleigh and we can't wait for the next visit!  We wish everyone a happy and healthy 2011!!