Alex was apparently feeling unusually photogenic today. Maybe it was because of the coal in his stocking, but these are actually some really good pictures of him.

More Christmas presents.

Christmas presents!

Guess Santa decided we were good this year.

Hanging up stockings. Even Meppy got one this year.

Shannon and I both have been sick on and off so we decided to open some presents on Christmas Eve, just to keep Christmas from being too overwhelming. So Shannon chose Aunt Sarah's presents. Here are just a few peeks at her.

Shannon really, really wanted to use "granny smith apple green" in the kitchen. I disagreed, so we compromised and painted our bathroom that color. Now we are just waiting on a new rug (equally bright, going into the bathroom really wakes a person up).

After previous year's debacles with gingerbread houses I finally signed Shannon up for a class on how to make them. I didn't read the fine print though and discovered that I had to stay and help her. Luckily for us, it turned out much better this year.

Decorating the Christmas tree, complete with Alex's rival.

The kitchen is almost done. We still need to paint and put up a backsplash, which will cover up the white patches.

Poor puppy! Shannon is being very nice to our poor Calvin.

Shannon the Mad Scientist!

Shannon and Sam went to the apple orchard. The apples had been ruined in a hail storm, but at least they could still play in the corn maze and ride the hay wagon.

First day of kindergarten!! The bus driver was nice enough to let me grab a picture after she was on the bus. Only a couple of more hours until she comes home!

We missed Shannon's "graduation" from the pre-school program at daycare, but her teachers saved her hat and present. It was very cute. She also got all decorated at the end of summer carnival at daycare.

And by the end of the trip.....

I don't really think that seat belt is working properly there.

But of course, what we mostly did was go to the beach. We didn't get very many pictures because, well, we were too busy swimming. We never brought any food to the beach but apparently if you decide to do so a locked box would be a good idea.

On our vacation to Savannah and Tybee Island we had a great time. There was lots of interesting wildlife to see. One we never saw, but Shannon got a nice jellyfish sting on her leg. The ones we saw included a very interactive octopus

Lots of little crabs all over the place

And this guy, who was way too big and had way too many legs

We went on a river boat cruise down the Savannah River and saw enormous conatiner ships complete with dolphin escorts

We saw a real swamp, complete with very stealthy mosquitos

 We had lots of sporting activities including "go-go kart" driving

Mini-golf

And of course, sea gull chasing.