Christmas Eve

So unfortunately our tree looks like it's crooked in the picture, but it's really not. Notice our star.  It's a sea star! (starfish)

We tried for a family picture.  Instead it's a mommy and Mathieu picture.

An Evening Ride

Painting

Our friend Wendy had Mathieu and I over to paint.  She placed floor length brown paper on the floor, paint on plates, and the boys knew just what to do!

 

 

Just step in ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walk forwards

Back

And walk like a bear

Of course, everyone needs a bath after an afternoon like this!

Christmas on the River

 Downtown Savannah is beautiful any time of year, and with temps in the low 70's, it's a perfect time of year.  Mathieu and I, with our friends, Wendy and Gunner, spent the morning on River Street and it's neighbor, Hutchinson Island.

Water taxi/ferry boat that shuttles us from River Street across the river to the convention center and hotel

Ferry ride

The hotel was hosting a gingerbread bread village in it's lobby.  The creative thought that went into these buildings was amazing, but Mathieu was much more interested in the train that was circling about.  That's what he's pointing to.

The hotel grounds was such a fun place to run.

Back on River Street.  What's more fun than your own boat to drive!

Container ships on the Savannah River

Camping

  We visited a local state park and camped in our tent for one night.  Mathieu had a great time.  He loved the setting up of the tent, collecting sticks for the campfire, reading stories by campfire and in the tent, and sleeping so close to Mommy and Daddy.  And it was REAL close.  We always thought our tent was crowded when it was just the two of us.  Add Mathieu, and our 3 thermorest pads had to overlap to fit.

We pretty much take Mathieu's strider bike wherever we go, and with Mathieu riding, Mommy and Daddy can briskly walk/occasionally jog next to our cyclist. What a treat to take a 4 mile hike Saturday morning.  It didn't matter that the trail was a bumpy trail with big roots and ditches. Mathieu loved it all.

Thanksgiving in TN

"Mommy, you can just stay there.  I'm playing with Sam," states Mathieu as he runs around the house chasing his 9 year old cousin Sam. (3rd cousin, to be exact) Thanks to spending time with my two nephews and niece and RI, Mathieu knows the magic of the word, "cousin," and instantly falls in love. 
The setting: Dave's aunt and uncle's house in TN. 
Time: Thanksgiving
The Characters: Dave's mom side of family, which included 2 third cousins.  Mia, 4, and Sam, 9.

Intimidating suspension bridge

To help with the 8 hour drive, we stopped at one of GA state parks and had wonderful time running the trails.

Some cotton along the side of road