Cowlick Nation: 2011

Friday, December 30, 2011

22 Weeks-5.5 Months

I am really feeling pregnant! My belly is much bigger, along with everything else that expands during pregnancy I am afraid. Baby is really moving when I settle down. Mom and Dad felt the jumps and kicks on Friday, December 30. I start Week 23 tomorrow and we are going to visit Grandmother Jane and Grandfather Ewing in Memphis.

Hanging at Long Last

Christmas morning we drove up to the Delta after checking out what Santa brought to Natchez. We had lunch with the Sturdivants at Aunt Cindy and Uncle Sykes' house. Some of us (mainly me) fell asleep that afternoon so we didn't open gifts until Monday morning, Dad's 61st Bithday. Micajah, Grace and Eleanor (4 months) arrived Monday afternoon and stayed through lunch on Friday. It was a great "staycation" and we really enjoyed just hanging out with each other at the house.

Gran Jan opening gifts

Jane hanging out on the couch "talking on the phone"

Micajah and Eleanor

Eleanor and her new bear

Ha! We had to take a picture of the Seagrams. Hyde was going to fix a drink and was looking through the possibilites and found this unopened bottle. Then he noticed that it was from ...

yep, 1978!! The year Micajah was born! We all fell over laughing. That means it has also made it through 3 moves.

Jane seeing what Santa brought to Itta Bena...

A Jumpy Jump! (aka Jump House, Bounce House, etc)

Eleanor wishing she could jump with Jane

We went in to shop one afternoon and had dinner at Lusco's and Delta Bistro. I was able to take a stick shift lesson from dad and sew and Hyde was able to ride his bike
and hunt ducks and deer. Maggie was able to run all week with Walker
and Sydney and hunt with Hyde 2 mornings. Jane had a great
time-playing with Eleanor, seeing/feeding/petting the horses, and running or riding 4 wheelers
around the farm.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning

After the McCullough party and the Christmas Eve service, Stella and

Philip came over for dinner and let Jane open her presents from them.

They also came over for breakfast and to see Jane enjoy what Santa

brought before we hit the road for the Delta.

Santa enjoyed the cookies Jane left him (and the reindeer apparently

enjoyed the carrots) because he left some great toys for Jane. The

doll high chair was a big hit, as well as the Ariel doll, The Jolly

Barnyard book and Tinkerbell stickers.

Crayon Rocks=Awesome

Wow!

Are you kidding?! more Tinkerbell Stickers!

I love books! Add it to the shelf.

No way!!! A meemer doll! And it's Ariel!

There are things in my stocking too?

Sweet! Tinkerbell Snacks!

OMG! Look at this tiara, bracelet, and earring set!!

one more

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Santa Clause Parade

Christmas Eve always brings the Santa Clause Parade in Natchez. It is
a tradition dating back almost 100 years. Some might say it is a
rolling cocktail party where 100 men are escorted by policemen through
town, but it is also a charitable organization that distributes candy
and presents to underprivilaged children. A Santa is chosen each year
and he rides at the beginning of the parade in a convertable and hands
out quarters to children. Along with the stops to hand out gifts,
there are some parties along the way too.
Mollie, Stella, Kathryn, Jane and I went to the first stop at Linden
to see Santa and they boys. The girls quickly found the children's
room that included a train circling under a Christmas tree and a
buffet full of yummy kid foods. They also had a blast running around
outside and they didn't cry around Santa-and we were able to chatch it
on camera!! A Christmas Eve Miracle!