Christmas in Florida

We're back in chilly VA after two exceptional weeks in Florida at Gigi and Papa's house. It was very tough to leave all that sunshine and it's definitely taken us a few days to get acclimated again. But what a wonderful time we had! Hadley started each day by dressing up in Izzy's old jazz outfit and an assortment of dresses and costumes Gigi made. Then there was lots of baking, and swimming in the hot "tubby," and playing with the tons of family that was around. We made it to the beach a couple of times for some quick romping in the sand, and out on the boat once too. Harper didn't get a chance to take her first plunge into the pool however, so she'll just have to wait until we get back down there in April. It's impossible to pick just a few pictures to share from the two weeks we were down there, but here are some of our favorites:

Tee hee...it's a snowman...in FLORIDA!

Gigi and her girls
Harper has the same big smile permanently planted on her face as Hadley did as a baby...

...but slightly bigger thighs.

Meeting Aunt Muffy!!

Hads and her cousin, "Camera"

A Griffin family right of passage: The trip to Duffy's

First trip to the beach!

She wasn't too thrilled about her toes being subjected to the frigid water...and the fact that she couldn't see it coming probably didn't help either.

A typical morning

Hadley made sure there were necklaces and head bands for everyone.

The gingerbread experiment with Papa

Too young to bake, so Harper just played with her friends.

More baking!

Snuggles

Hugs

and KISSES!

Hadley frosting the Baby Jesus birthday cake on Christmas Eve

Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!

In Daddy's family everyone gets new pajamas on Christmas Eve. Hads helped Harper open hers.

Hadley decided on her own that Santa was going to come through the second floor fire place instead of the ground floor by the tree. So that's where we left his cookies and milk and the water and carrots for the reindeer. Right there in Gigi and Papa's room. I hope Santa was quiet!

Mommy's favorite childhood tradition: Reading Twas the Night Before Christmas with her Daddy. Notice Hadley has stolen some of the reindeer food to nibble upon while Daddy reads.

CHRISTMAS!!!!!
Stockings on the bed is another tradition from Mommy's childhood. Allows the grownups to ease into the present hysteria that comes next, I've discovered.

Gigi bought the girls some BIG stockings!

Sleepy family photo before we see what Santa left for everyone

Gigi and Papa bought Hads her first set of wheels :)

And Harper's too!

Proudly modeling her Belle dress from Santa

An awkward situation...

...made way for MY FAVORITE PICTURE!

Daddy and his littlest elf

We had to pay a visit to Hadley's favorite manatee, Snooty, since she talked about him for months when we first went to the aquarium last year.

Goofing around with cousin Tara

That tongue!

Totally precious

Sunshine, water, Izzy: BIG SMILES!

Lunch break

Hadley fell head over heels for her uncle Doug! It was adorable. She flirted with him constantly from the moment she saw him.

Which freed up Papa for Harper :)

Last day: one last trip to the beach

Someone lost her pants after a fanny drop in the water :)

Everyone in their pajamas for the early morning flight home

100% NOT staged. 100% adorable.

Thank you Gigi and Papa for a fabulous and incredibly memorable Christmas!