What a week!

What a whirlwind! Abby Reece is 7 wks old today and was VERY busy last week. My family was in & out all week, and then Aunt Gena & Uncle Kevin came for a short visit as well. As to be expected, both of our kids got MAJORLY spoiled by Santa & family. I think we need to buy a storage unit to hold all the new toys! But Nate had a ball seeing everyone and it was fun showing Abby off.

Just some highlights from our week:
-Nate made cookies for the first time, with Nana. It was something I loved doing as a child and I hope Nate will too!
-Greg got beignet mix (at World Market) and made some for us one morning. It was quite the elaborate process, but he did a great job! I have never had the originals at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans, but I still thought his were delicious.
-We saw the lights at the Opryland Hotel (see earlier post). They are so beautiful!
-I got to celebrate my little sister's bday with her! She turned 28 on the 26th, so we got pedis with Mom and then went out for Mexican that night.
-Nate is officially Handy Manny's #1 fan...he got a HM-themed toy from almost everyone in both families! Needless to say, he is starting to speak Spanish. Hola, gracias, and vamanos. Hilarious!
-Nate is definitely BFF with men these days....he did not let Pops or Uncle Kevin out of his sight.
-We have given into using a passy with Abby. We don't use it at night yet, but it helps to calm her during the day.
-I got an AMAZING surprise from Greg for Christmas - diamond earrings!! I have always wanted some but never thought I'd get them. Thanks sweetie!!
-Becky's fiance Mike was unable to come visit on Christmas...he was supposed to fly in Christmas night but his flight got cancelled. I was super bummed (as was Bec of course) b/c we had a double date night planned in Nashville. Next time Mike!
-Nate woke up early one morning and Nana just brought him in bed with she & Pops. When I went upstairs at 7:30 am, I found him spooning Nana. It was adorable! (And I was relieved b/c when I saw his bed empty, I thought for 2 seconds that he had been kidnapped!)
-Greg & I had a date night...got to see "The Blind Side" (LOVED IT) and go out for dinner. Always nice to get to be "Em & Greg" for a night instead of "Mom & Dad."
-Besides Nate's Handy Manny toys, his other favorite was a tent/tunnel from Uncle Kevin. I have never seen his face light up so big!
-Nate's new favorite expression is "Oh dear." No idea where he learned it but it's adorable!

It was wonderful having everyone here this Christmas...it was the first year that Greg & I have not traveled which made it MUCH less stressful! We got to start new traditions, like Nate writing a letter to Santa and leaving out cookies & milk. All the while keeping up old ones - all the girls fixing breakfast Christmas morning, having a chili cook-off Christmas Eve, and Greg reading the Christmas Eve story to name a few.

Sorry there are so many pics (about 60 or so!) My family just does NOT know how to only take a few! (Btw, there were about 400 I had to choose from!) :) Enjoy...