Philadelphia

The day after Christmas, we decided to take a short trip to Philadelphia before heading on up to Nathan's parents for Christmas/New Year's.  It was a nice little trip, and the girlie did absolutely awesome.  The first day we spent in historic Philly checking out Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Macy's Christmas light show.  The second day we took the girlie to the Camden Aquarium.  Something more fun for her.

Girlie with a statue of the Phillie Phanatic

She wanted her picture taken with EVERYTHING!

We really enjoyed the architecture around the historic area.

Waiting to tour Independence Hall

She's just so cute!

In a courtroom inside Independence Hall.  To think that revolutionaries were tried for treason within this room before America won the revolution.

The room where the constitution was argued.

They had original, unsigned copies of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.

John Barry, the father of the U.S. Navy

They are renovating the outside of Independence Hall, so there was not any way to get a good shot of it.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the Revolution

The front of Independence Hall with George Washington statue

The Liberty Bell with Independence Hall in the background.

Love these two!

It was such a fun day!  I believe that everybody should visit this historic city to learn and appreciate what had to occur for our great nation to have the freedoms we enjoy today.

Christmas Day

Meet Jamie.  Jamie the Elf joined our family this year, and Emma really enjoyed finding Jamie every morning.

I'm not sure why this is rotated wrong but oh well.  This is part of our tradition, which is to read from Luke 2.  If you don't know what's in Luke 2, go get your Bible and read about it.

Opening stockings - a new big girl cup.

Her new ornament.  Girlie is really into Cars the movies, so she got a Lightning McQueen ornament.

Helping Daddy open his stocking.

Kitty has his own stocking too.

My John Deere boy's new calendar.

Mommy received new knives.  Just what she needed.

Picked out by Emma all by herself - hand warmers

From Emma - a candle

A sample wine set for my boy.

It was a nice, quiet Christmas in the Holbrook house.  It was just the three of us, so we were able to just relax and do much of nothing but enjoy each other.  We had cinnamon rolls for breakfast, then read the Christmas story from Luke 2.  After we opened stockings and presents, Mommy made lunch of enchiladas, rice and beans.  Mommy attempted to make a jelly roll, but it didn't turn out too well.  So it became a jelly cake instead.  Such an enjoyable day celebrating the birth of our Savior.

Cookies w/ Santa

We went w/ the Scurlock's to the ARC's annual cookies w/ Santa.  The girlie enjoyed decorating her cookie and seeing Santa.

Decorating their cookies

Getting her face painted.  They did a present.