The Days Before Christmas in Atlanta 2016

We spent our first couple of days in Stone Mountain resting and trying to get over our colds or whatever it is that we had. With Chuck's foot still on the mend, we didn't go on our normal morning golf ball hunts either.  The below picture of Stone Mountain was taken at dusk.  Chuck was trying to get a picture of the Christmas tree of lights they put up at the top of the Stone Mountain every year but the lights blended into the sunlight.  I thought the trees looked pretty cool though.

I also finished crocheting these hats for our granddaughters and then got started on some mittens.  Hmmm.  Five pair of mittens before Christmas and only 12 days to Christmas.  I guess that means I need to make at least one mitten a day.

We went over to Crystal and Grant's on Tuesday night (Dec 13) for dinner.  How do you like our little shepherdess granddaughters?

And their big black sheep!

On Thursday night, we went to Bell's Christmas program at her school.  The kindergarten class sung a melody of nursery rhymes and "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas."  The songs performed by all the classes were very good and the school had a nice reception after the program.

On Saturday night, Crystal and Grant had received some tickets to an Atlanta Hawks game from a friend and surprised us by taking us to the game.  I had never been to a pro basketball game and Chuck had only been to one.

The halftime show had some guys doing all kinds of dunking tricks which was pretty cool. (Click HERE if you cannot open below video.)

It was a pretty close game but unfortunately the Hawks lost.  We had a lot of fun though and really enjoyed the game.

On Monday before Christmas, we babysat Ruby while Tafanie took Bell and Emmaline to a children's play.  We had lots of fun playing with Ruby,

giving her a little bit of a candy cane,

and reading books together.  Ruby loves books!  (Click HERE if you cannot open below video.)

On Tuesday, we went to Emmaline's pre-school for her Christmas program.

As you can tell by her smile, Emmaline loves to sing!  So do all the other children!  (Click HERE if you cannot open below video.)

On my birthday, Wednesday morning, I received a precious birthday greeting from Hannah.  (Click HERE if you cannot open video.)

While Tafanie was helping out at Bell's school with their Christmas party, we babysat Emmaline and Ruby.  Pa, Emmaline and Ruby took a nap together.  Or rather, I should say they pretended to take a nap together.  :)

And then, on Wednesday night, we celebrated my birthday a little bit more by enjoying dinner with the Van Wyngardens and watching my favorite movie:  It's a Wonderful Life.

Emmaline, who also has a December birthday, had a birthday party on Thursday.  Early Thursday morning, I met Crystal and Avery for breakfast at Waffle House and then I brought Avery back to the motorhome.  First, Avery colored with some of Pa & MiMa's new crayons...

...and then she helped Pa with his foot exercises by holding back on the tension band.  :)

We went over to the VW's house Thursday morning, to help Tafanie with the decorations and getting ready for Emmaline's party.  By the time of the party, the house was decorated with lots of snowmen...

and so were Emmaline, Ruby and Bell.

Emmaline got one of her birthday presents before the party:  a new bike!

Emmaline's birthday party began with coloring snowmen and getting your picture taken like a snowman.

Avery the Snowgirl

Tafanie (the master gamer) also had a couple of cute games for them to play:  Musical Snowflakes --

(Click HERE if you are unable to open below video.)

...and Pin the Nose on the Snowman.

(Click HERE if you are unable to open the below video.)

After all the games and activities, the kids enjoyed pizza rolls and cookies and fresh melted snowman water.  :)  They also made snowmen out of marshmallows and pretzels.

The party ended with all the kids watching Emmaline's favorite movie:  Frosty the Snowman.  

I think Emmaline and all the kids who came had a very fun snowman party!  After the party, Chuck and I headed for Nashville to pick up my mom so we could all celebrate the Christmas weekend together.