Playing with Grandma and Grandpa

This collection is simply a giant group of photos of Lily with Grandma and Grandpa Brown. Some very cute shots, but I will warn you that they are a bit repetitive! This one would only be for diehard Lily fans. (Or, I suppose, fans of my parents!) However, various family members will no doubt get a kick out of them. For some sweet videos of Lily with Grandpa, check out dropshots. :)

Playing with Grandma and Grandpa Brown

Off to Asheville!

The day after Christmas, we headed off to Asheville to visit the McElhaneys and experience the historic Biltmore Estate in all its Christmas glory! What an amazing time. (There are also a few videos on dropshots.)

Christmas at Biltmore

Christmas Day

What a wonderful, relaxing Christmas Day. See the fun, start to finish!

Christmas Day

Christmas Eve

From last-minute Christmas shopping to lighting the advent candle at church to opening presents, Christmas Eve was a wonderful day.

Christmas Eve

See Rock City!

Mom and Dad arrived from California late Saturday night, and the Christmas festivities continued on Sunday! After a beautiful service and lunch with both sets of Moms and Dads, we headed off to Rock City to see the Enchanted Lights. Who knew that we would be joined by half of Tennessee and Georgia! Afterward we headed over to the Paschalls for a fun Christmas open house. What a great day!

Sunday

Mountain City Christmas

We attended a wonderful Christmas party tonight at the Mountain City Club, hosted by the Stevens family. Many folks from church were there, and we had a great time seeing everyone. Lily loved the lights, and circled the room with a few different friends as she toured the light fixtures and greeted everyone. She also had fun seeing her little Buddy Hayes Hightower. :)

Christmas Shopping

We spent some time out Christmas shopping today, and Lily was taking it all in. I think Hobby Lobby is now her favorite store...so many textures to explore!

Hobby Lobby

Playtime

Lily loves the soccer ball...I think Uncle O would be proud!

A Cold Day!

We awoke to howling wind this morning, and as we got ready for church it was clear that Lily needed extra bundling. Time to dig into the box of sweaters and jackets from Liz! This is a favorite...I think Lily looks like a strawberry. :)

Car Shopping

We are in the market for a car, so today's adventure involved a few test drives!

Car Shopping

Laptops

We have finally found a use for the old laptop that has been living under our bed. One of Lily's biggest goals in life has been to play on our laptops...now she has one of her own to bang on to her heart's content. It may not turn on, but she just wants to play with the keys. :)

Six Teeth!

Lily suddenly has six teeth--the two on the bottom and now four new ones coming in on the top. Carrots, here we come!

Christmas Open House

We had a few dozen members of our Redemption Songs Sunday school class over today, along with a bunch of international students who are part of First Friends. It was a great party! Lily was very eager to be in the center of it all, and especially liked it when Gabe played the guitar. What fun!

Christmas Open House

Playtime!

Today's playtime featured piano practice and a little time exploring the Christmas ornaments...life is an adventure!

Playtime

The Christmas Elf and the College Kids

Lily became the belle of the ball when we headed over to the party Omi and Papa were hosting for a few dozen Covenant students! She was dressed in a Christmas outfit, and looked like a little Christmas elf! The students loved her...I think we got three new babysitters out of the deal! :) The kids looked like they were having a blast...they were on "mystery dates," matched up by people in their dorms. We left before the winner of the gingerbread house building contest was announced...it was time for the tiny Christmas elf to go to sleep!

Lily at the Piano

Lily likes to walk around the piano bench and reach for the piano. She also likes to use the bench as a means of getting over to the tree! Touching the ornaments is almost as fun as getting the remote control. :)

Lily and the Piano

Christmas Fun!

We had Kelly and her daughters over to make salt dough Christmas ornaments, and we had a blast. Lily especially enjoyed playing with Riley and Ella!

A Morning Walk

It was a beautifully sunny, chilly morning, so we set out on a little walk. We visited the Paschalls and played with Emily and Connor for a while, then headed off to Omi and Papa's. There Lily made the most of the lovely Christmas decorations!

Another tooth!

Lily has one little top tooth coming in, with her two front teeth on the way! You can just see it poking through on the left side as you look at her. Every time she sees the camera, this is how she smiles!

A Christmas Extravaganza

Joel and I had the delightful opportunity to experience Covenant College's Madrigal Christmas Feaste. What an evening! Three hours of pageantry, beautiful madrigal music, and course upon course of Elizabethan-inspired fare. We had been invited by a dear couple from church, and we had a lot of fun with everyone at our table. The Hightowers brought adorable little Hayes, who was fascinated by all of the music and activity. What a great kick-off to the holiday season!

At the Mall

Who knew what fun was to be had at the mall! Lily loved the bunnies in the pet store, and had great fun with the three-way mirror. Exciting times!

Off to the Gallery

Lily and I had a few extra minutes before meeting Joel and our friend June for lunch, so we headed over to the River Gallery to look at the beautiful paintings, sculptures, and other art. It was the perfect little outing!