Christmas Collective

Our holiday started December 16th, with the much anticipated arrival of my Dad and Christine. The following day, we headed to Atlanta to visit the Georgia Aquarium.  The kids had a blast.  Max really enjoyed the huge tunnel tank that had four whale sharks swimming around in it. He's a big shark fan, and there aren't many big sharks that can live in an aquarium. Max spent a lot of time studying the animals.

Max watching some smaller sharks

one of the whale sharks swims by

love Max's expression in this one- pure bliss!

Manta ray

really pretty yellow fish I don't remember the name of

another shot of a whale shark



Max in front of the Beluga whale tank

Two days after our visit with Dad and Christine, my mom arrived! The photos below were all taken by her. 


The kids and I in front of the Poinsettia Tree at Greenville Airport



Claire showing off her toothless grin. I think it works for her.

The kids and I reading a story on Christmas Eve 

Claire's gift from Santa- an amethyst necklace

On Christmas Eve, Joey's sister and her boys arrived. First order of business: find a Christmas tree. The following photos were taken by Joey's sister.


The kids decided this was a good Christmas tree. It's a good thing they don't know what they're missing.

  

Just after Christmas Eve dinner. Everyone's ready for pie!



Claire enjoying Granddaddy's rendition of the Cajun Night Before Christmas



Max and Granddaddy building a birdhouse together. I'd love to know what they were
discussing when this photo was taken!  If I had to guess, I would say that Grand-
daddy is either trying to explain how the hand drill works or telling Max he is
too young to use it. Or maybe both.

A few days after Christmas, Granddaddy and Joey's sister and all three grandsons made a trip to the Diamond Hill Mine. It was their second trip, and the boys had a great time. Their digging (and playing) were captured by a local newspaper photographer, who happened to be at the mine that day on assignment.  A few days later, Max was featured on the front page of the Anderson Independent Mail!  The article is featured on their website, too.


Max on the front page!




You can see Max and his cousin Nathan in this one. The beginning of the article features
our family, too! Very exciting!