mary christmas

I love christmas time at our home

marcus and sally kate got stockings this year. these were all made by mom and the pattern was originally purchased by grandmother ME in the 1950s.

sk intrigued by the sparkly tree

fern

matchy, matchy

christmas eve

the most adorable picture ever

the kids on christmas eve

brother serenading us

enjoying {sort of} our gingerbread men

from heather lane and paul

christmas morn

opening her gift from aunt sister

we had all of the family over at our house this year...it was wonderful.

michael and norm

grandpa warren and grandma jean

with grandmother mary elizabeth

all of the townsend girl cousins

o christmas week

It has been a fabulous week in preparation for Christmas. The work-week was short and I was coming home to a house full of family and good cheer. On Monday David and I joined Holly and Marcus at the newest hot spot in Tallahassee - Hotel Duval. We had dinner at Shulas 347 but first went to their rooftop bar to see the view. I have been leary of this place since its grand opening in the fall but I will admit I was pleasantly surprised and was actually impressed by what I saw.

I went to the Mica annual Christmas cookie/dinner party on Tuesday and then David and I exchanged gifts. He wrapped my present beautifully and even tied a pretty bow. I'll show you below what he got me :)

On Wednesday I traveled to Ocala just in time to go to the high school friends annual Christmas party. This year it was a tacky Christmas sweater party and it was hilarious! It was so great to see everyone.

Thursday the Edenfields arrived in Ocala and now our household is complete for Christmas morn (except for David who is in Tallahassee with his family...and I miss him so much and wish he was here!). We joined the Hagood/Bruce families for a yummy lunch at Latinos before family Christmas Eve festivities. Whenever we are all home for any holiday we always meet at Latinos for lunch. We never know who is going to show up and we love that.

Sister brought a package for me that arrived after I left town yesterday afternoon...my new CAMERA!!!!!! I've spent most of the day playing with it and I'm quite pleased with results thus far. From now on all my pictures will truly be blog worthy!

Merry Christmas to all {my dear friends} and to all, a goodnight.

@hotel duval

aren't you impressed with david's wrapping skills?!

trying to play a trick on me...

my new kate spade wallet and candewick pieces!

david with his one surprise gift...a drawing of the old florida capitol

festive sweaters

hi ross!

danielle and david...all the way from new orleans

sarah, abby, and mc

{vest compliments of grandmother mary elizabeth}

lunch @ latinos

"the situation"

This weekend I traveled to St. Petersburg to celebrate some pre-wedding festivities for my dear friend Libby. We had a Bridal Shower Brunch overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and a frilly lingerie shower followed by a night out on the town! It was so wonderful to get to see several college friends, whom I miss dearly, and get dressed up, sip champagne and laugh all day long with them. Libby and Greg will tie the knot in less than two weeks and I'll be there with bells on to help them celebrate their special day!

In other news, Christmas is this week and I am beyond excited. Today also marks exactly 2 weeks until my birthday. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

personalized party favors

with the bride-to-be

bridesmaids and hostesses serving up the bubbly

I loved libby's entourage of nieces, cousins, etc. as she opened her gifts

B is for bulleit...acrylic tumblers from moi

in between pamela and I had a tasty mid-afternoon snack and cocktail at z.grille in downtown st. pete

lingerie soiree

libby with her maid of honor carolyn

I will leave you with one of libby's to-dos....

turkey babies

Last Sunday Sister and I paid a visit to the newest sisters in town. As mentioned before, sweet twins Adalynn and Mollie were born on Thanksgiving. They were able to go immediately home after they were born and they are growing each day. Oh, and they're also the most precious tiny babies you've ever held. It was so fun to visit with all of the Spragues and Kasey is looking great! I know this will be a special holiday season for their family. And let it be said - the sisters are from now on welcome to any future Sisters Suppers.

'tis the season...

...for Christmas parties! And thus begins one hectic month. And I'm happy to oblige with its schedule of cocktail parties, cookie baking and dressing up. Last night David and I attended his office party at the Governor's Mansion. I just love going there. The food was delicious as always and I love the mansion decorated at Christmas. Governor Crist lit the huge Christmas tree in the front yard as a beautiful choir sang carols. I've made a December calendar and the empty days are few and far between.



My tree has been trimmed and I must say I love my house this year all decorated for Christmas. The smell of fresh greenery is overwhelming as you walk in my front door and it is the best. There are even a few already wrapped treasures underneath my tree with adornment yet to be determined.

Looking forward to a fabulous holiday party season~

moonwalking in a winter wonderland

We took a successful Christmas card picture this weekend thanks to Lane our photographer, nice weather, and for the most part willing participants. I have provided an entertaining peek into our photo shoot minus documentation of mom learning how to moonwalk! But first, mom, sister, and I took Sally Kate to see her first Nutcracker! We went to the abbreviated children's show Saturday morning and I thought to myself why hadn't I been going to the abbreviated version my whole life...even when I performed in The Nutcracker. SK loved it and was mesmerized the entire time {minus her nap during the snow scene}. She even waved to the dancers on stage and clapped with the audience. The best part was her snazzy new nutcracker dress that Grandmommy made her.

Hope your weekend was full of cheer!

@ the nutcracker

with our friend colae
{sister and I both danced in the tallahassee ballet}

the radcliffe/edenfields 2009

{not our final selection, but some top contenders}

background change...on to the sasanquas!

a lot of them turned out like this...

I love this picture

and because everyone else was eager to leave...lane took pictures of just moi!

the hills are alive

with m & d

thanks lane!