Christmas in Hickory

Time to celebrate! After weeks of shopping and baking and wrapping and running and cleaning and doing all the millions of things that make Christmas happen every year- the actual holiday had arrived for us. In Hickory at Mom's house. Whew...I felt like I could finally breathe and relax once I stepped foot on this porch. Finally- the really good part- the family time!

The girls headed to uptown Hickory to take in the sunshine and do a couple last-minute errands...

Then Addie helped Mimi make some bread...

and we took a walk. 

Turns out, Luke and Collins make fine dog walkers. Who knew?

After lighting the fire and getting a glass of wine, it was time for presents and dinner!

Addie was thrilled with new booties and some Berenstain Bear books to add to her collection...

and Luke got an orange garbage truck!

He also got a new "oof pack" outfit from Mimi that he immediately had to put on...

while Collins was styling in her new long sweater and booties.

It was a great night! Mom made a delicious beef dinner and her pecan pie is really the best I have ever had. Such a fun celebration.

The next morning we relaxed and puzzled and read books...and drank lots of coffee.

Then headed to Baba's house to see her tree and Charlie...I love this picture.

Baba gave all the kids an ornament from her tree to take home- so special.

Then we had to hunt down that cat! Luke is amazed by Charlie and had to find him.

Once we had petted the kitty, we could say our goodbyes and head back to Raleigh. It was a short, but very sweet trip celebrating Christmas with our family in my hometown.