Last Week....

Last week, I had some of our new favorite friends over with their kiddies.  Erin and Megan and I bet at the kids' My Gym class, and we have so much fun getting the kids together.  We keep saying there will be a "grown-up" night in the future, but we are waiting til after the holiday madness dies down a bit.  Jake and Natalia are a little older than Whitney, but they all get along so well, and Whitney saw a pic of Natalia on Facebook the other day and yelled "Talia!!!  Sooo cute!

That night, I headed a few houses down to our friend/new neighbor Julie's house for her housewarming party.  Eric and Whitney enjoyed an evening watching Snow White together, and Daddy put her to bed without me.  I was sooo busy talking and LAUGHING and having such a great time, I forgot to even pull myc amera out. :( My friend Christine (Connor's mommy) reminded me that I rarely take pictures when we get together, and we decided that it MUST be because we are having too much fun to stop and pose for pictures. :) I am truly blessed with some hilarious, fabulous, beautiful friends :)

On Thursday, we headed to a weekly gym class where Whitney showed off her silly, playful personality.  I think Ive mentioned before that, whenever I ask Whitney who we are going to see at gym class, she always shouts "CassieShannon!" Cassie was a gym teacher until August, when she got a teaching position at a local preschool.  Shannon is still there, and a big favorite, but she has apparently been melded into one person with Miss Cassie. 

With Miss Shannon on the balance beam:

And, to our delight, Miss Cassie is BACK! Whitney wasnt quite sure about her at first, but as soon as Cassie got down on her knees and opened her arms and said "Whitney...I'm Miss Cassie! Remember?", Whitney RAN into her arms and yelled "Cassssieeee!"  She remembered, just needed her to be down on the same level :) Sooo fun!

After gym class, we headed over to Mac and Gramps house.  Whitney was SOOO excited to blow bubbles and play outside!

 GG got in on the bubble-blowing action!

Whitney was thrilled to have GG outside in the bubble fun!

And of course, Bailey was excited to be outside and allowed to run around for a bit.

The next day, Whitney and I stopped by my parents again and Whitney was soooo excited when Gramps showed up on his golf cart as we were about to leave.  She yells "GRAY-ummppps!" (Gramps) whenever she cant see him in the house.  Like the fantastic Grandpa he is, my dad comes running to Her Royal Higness on command.

And of course, Gramps had to take Whitney for a spin in the golf cart.  He let her drive :)

Bailey didnt love this idea.

Friday night, we headed to the gorgeous city of St. Augustine to meet with Eric's dad and his bros and sister and family.  We had a GREAT time at a cool restaurant, and were wishing it hadnt ended so fast.  We all agreed to meet up again VERY soon. 

Eric's sister, Lynzie is an AWESOME mommy and a beautiful person inside and out.  I always have so much fun talking with and laughing with Lynz.

Dad...Papa....Gary....YOU ROCK!

The adults exchanged ornaments this year, and I was proud to boast the wine glass Crystal gave me for the tree :) ... even though I broke it the second it came out of the wrapping paper.  I have a thing for breaking wine glasses lately...

Papa and his granddaughters.

Corbyn and Whitney get along SOO well! I just love watching them talk to each other and play :)

The Bass family Christmas 2010

On Saturday, my friend Kathy hosted her annual Christmas party.  They have Santa come to give a gift to each kid, and it was a HUGE HIT with Whitney this year!

Ignore my stupid face as Santa walked in the door:

He gace out candy canes, which made Whitney very curious and excited to get to know this guy in the red suit.

She wasnt tooo sure about him, keeping her distance, but she rocked and danced and swayed as the rest of the kids sang Jingle Bells for Santa. She warmed up to the idea and wasnt completely anti-Santa.

And once this big guy started handing out gifts, she wanted to be front row!

Our fabulous hosts, Kathy and Jimmy.  LOVE them!!

Whitney's turn!

After taking the gift from Santa, she put it down and turned around for "more?!" Not this time, sister.

She is dancing/rocking from side to side as the kids sang "We Wish you a Merry Christmas!"

Then it was time to open! (But Whitney was jsut excited to be in possession of a PRESENT, she didnt really care if she actually got to OPEN it!)

BIG HUGS for Santa!!!

These girls have always been SOOO nice to our little girl.  They let her touch, play with, hold, and even suck on their brand new toys!

Three of my FAVES!

Kathy with her two sisters, Jessica and Maryann

The girls

Apparently something was really funny!

The kids got to roast marshmallows and make smores and roast hot dogs!

LOVE her. :)

On Sunday, we hosted a small "Welcome to the Family" party for Eric's cousin's fiance.  Devin and Nick are getting married in a week, and Eric is performing the ceremony.  We are thrilled to have Nick and Eric's other cousin, Justin, home from Afghanistan where they were fighting for our country. 

All the cousins and second cousins:

After the extended family headed home, it was time to open gifts from Whitney's Aunt Crystal and Uncle Daniel, and her cousins Kyle and Dean.  She was sooo excited to get bottles/sippy cups and clothes for her babies!

Eric's brothers, Parker and Dawson....all grown up...sniff,sniff

Kyle and Dean are old enough now that they like to shop for their own cool stuff, so we gave them cash this year.  Not as much fun to watch them open, but we are glad they got to pick out their own toys.  Obviously, this new gig was a hit with Dean:

Whitney also got a Mrs. Potato Head from Aunt Crystal and Uncle Daniel, and she LOOOVES her! The box was a huge hit, too :)

And Whitney was thrilled to have some small talk with her Uncle Dawson before we all headed to dinner together. 

It was a busy week filled with family and friends and fun.  My three favorites!

I just got the phone call that my brother's plane landed, so as soon as Whitney wakes up from her nap, we are heading to Mac and Gramps again to get some "Uncle Jay time" in.  Tomorrow, my Aunt Gerry and Uncle D arrive from Cleveland, then on Friday we have Christmas with Eric's mom's side of the family and Mass with my side.  Saturday morning, my parents and family will come here to watch Whitney open her gifts and eat yummy breakfast casserole...and then Eric's dad will come over....and then we will head back over to my mom's for more food and celebrations.  Then...on Sunday....we are all heading to Disney to have breakfast with Mickey and a few of his friends! Busy, busy, busy, but allllllll FUN!

I wish everyone a VERY Merry Christmas, and hope you all have safe travels and fun times with the ones you love the most! God Bless and Happy New year!

XOXO