Christmas Crafts and the Total Lunar Eclipse

     Monday, December 20, 2010, Auntie Michelle and I finalized our Christmas Baskets for some families at our church. I found the baskets at the dollar store, and the jam is the same that Craig and I made a few months ago, and the cookies we made that morning.

(Craig snaps a photo of the final basket being put together) 

 

(Mama putting together a basket)

     At 1:30 a.m., the total lunar eclipse began. I tried to take good pictures, but I really didn't even stay up for it. Auntie Michelle had to keep coming in to wake me up to tell me what was going on, and I got up twice to check it out! I tried to take a picture of the total eclipse and it shows up on the camera, but it wouldn't show up when I tried to post it!

(The moon is really far away and partially eclipsed)

(A closer view of the partially eclipsed moon)

     The totally eclipsed moon was absolutely beautiful and something I'd never expected to see. I'm glad I got a couple photo's for when Charlotte gets a little older!



Motes with Auntie Michelle

     Friday, December 17, 2010 we got to take Auntie Michelle to the Mote's Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota. It was a long drive, and we weren't feeling the best, but we had such a great time anyway! Charlotte was such a sweetheart the whole drive, she wasn't too fussy and she did her best to enjoy herself, too - even though she went from car seat to stroller back to the car seat!

(Charlotte is so excited to be headed to Mote's!)

(First we went to the shark tank)

(There were many large fish)

(This shark kept coming back to check out Charlotte!)

(Hammerheads are native to the Gulf!)

(This shark had a fish buddy who kept close)

(Sea turtles love to play the victim)

(Feeding time at the manatee tank!)

(This turtle was lettuce greedy)

(Auntie Michelle and Charlotte love the manatee's)

(He may have been lettuce greedy, but he loved the camera)

(Auntie Michelle and Charlotte pose for the camera, too!)

(Charlotte loved the hermit crab, I think I may get her one for her second birthday)

(Rock? or Fish?)

(The fish version of Oscar the Grouch)

     After we left Mote's we visited a nearby beach so Auntie Michelle could see the ocean for her first time. Unfortunately, it was chilly so she wouldn't put her feet in the water and Charlotte was asleep on my shoulder so I have no pictures to document the event. But I don't think it will be her last time, Michelle is a water baby. The ocean view was beautiful and just before sunset. Then we took off for home where Daddy made us some delicious spaghetti! In all, despite not feeling so great, it was a great day!

Thanksgiving 2010

     We finally got to travel home for Thanksgiving and it was such an easy drive! Charlotte slept the whole 13 hours through the night and we arrived in Lonoke at 2:00 in the afternoon the Friday before Thanksgiving.  We sure did have a great time spending Thanksgiving with our families! Unfortunately I didn't take any good pictures, but luckily had plenty donated to me from our events thanks to my wonderful Aunt Cathy and mother-in-law, Debbie.

     For Thanksgiving we started the day at Craig's cousin, Nathan's, beautiful home in Beebe, AR. He had his house decorated so well for the holiday's and it was beautiful and spacious!  We all enjoyed delicious turkey, mashed potato's, cranberry sauce and of course delicious treats Craig's cousin Holly prepared for us. Charlotte got to spend the morning with her cousin, Gabriel! Gabriel's mom is Craig's cousin Leah, and Charlotte and Gabriel loved each other! Gabriel also loved Craig!

(Pretty Charlotte hugs her mama)

(Charlotte double waves at the camera)

(Craig and Gabriel happy after Turkey)

(Oma and Charlotte at Thanksgiving)

(Pretty Charlotte looking out the window)

(Charlotte with Oma and Papa)

     After Nathan's, we went out to my mom's house for the afternoon and so got two most delicous Thanksgivings! There we got to spend the afternoon with Uncle Ryan and his girlfriend, Shelby. We played a round of Cranium and lost, so badly! But it was still a lot of fun! Unfortunately Uncle Brendan wasn't there, too, but he will be home for Christmas so we'll be happy to be patient and enjoyed the time we got with Uncle Ryan and Shelby!

     Friday after Thanksgiving we all went to the zoo. That is, Gramma, Aunt Cathy, Heather, Addison, Ethan, Julie, Rachel, Charlotte and I. We had a great time! The Chimps were Charlotte's favorite's and despite the cold weather we got to see most of the animals and even vampire bats!

(Mama and Charlotte at the Chimps)

(Julie, Addison and Rachel)

(Beautiful flamingo's)

(Farmer Charlotte)

(The lion that tried to eat Gramma!)

(Craig's favorite animal, the tiger)

(Julie, Aunt Cathy, Rachel, Gramma, Mama, Charlotte)

     After Aunt Nina, Uncle Brad, Kayla, Callie and Hailey got back from Wyoming and Craig got back from Raleigh, NC (from business), we all had a Shelton family Thanksgiving at the in-laws! We really got to enjoy each other and of course loved getting Hailie and Charlotte together! They're so cute! They're just about the same height and from the back you can't really tell which is which!

(Hailey and Charlotte at the fireplace)

(Charlotte loves her daddy)

     We brought Auntie Michelle back to Florida with us after our Thanksgiving and will be sad to give her back to Gramma at Christmas, so we plan to enjoy her as much as we can in the mean time! Though Charlotte got sick in the car during the drive, we made it home safely and are getting really excited for Santa at Christmas!

 

Halloween 2010

     Today was quite the day! Saturday, October 30, 2010 started off with a most delicious breakfast! Craig and I woke up together and made breakfast together, something that doesn't happen very often. We made scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon, biscuts and tomato gravy. It was so good! Then we got ready to go to the temple on a Youth Temple Trip. Charlotte and I got to walk the temple grounds while Craig and the youth were performing baptisms. I supplied several names from my family history and almost all of them got completed.

     Then it was time for Trick or Treating! In Highlands County, Florida we trick or treated the Saturday evening before Halloween. We also had the missionaries and Brother Gimpsie over for dinner. So I had Craig and the men take Charlotte trick or treating while I finished dinner. The pictures are great:



Charlotte and Elder Burton get ready to go Trick-or-Treating




Charlotte and Elder Burton pose for the camera.




Charlotte and Daddy say good bye to mama before they go get candy!



Charlotte and Daddy head down the street.

Charlotte is so excited!



"I want to go to this house, and this house!"




"Where are these snowbirds!"



Minnie and George are true fans of Pebbles!



They took pictures and gave candy!




Delicious candy, Charlotte was so happy!



"Thank you for my candy!"

Charlotte wants to hold Brother Gimpsie's hand.

"C'mon brother Gimpsie!"

Charlotte and daddy

Daddy tries to get Charlotte to hold her bag.

Charlotte and Daddy hunt down another house.

"Trick or Treat!"

"Give me something good to eat!"

Charlotte gets a monkey ride after a hard night of candy collecting.

"Look at all my candy!"

Charlotte had so much fun!

She's already ready to go back out there!

     We had such a great day, but are so glad it's over and time to relax! Craig is going to be out of town all next week sadly, but Thanksgiving is right around the corner and we just can not wait!