Emma Kate’s first long road trip was the 4 hour drive to Grandma and Grandpa Kirkland’s house for Christmas. We had planned to leave on Friday afternoon. At about 9PM, when the car was almost packed, we decided it would be better just to go ahead and sleep one more night in Georgia and drive Saturday morning. Emma Kate slept for about 3 hours of the trip. She was the perfect little rider. I knew how long the trip could be if she wasn’t asleep or happy for most of it, so I was extremely grateful when we arrived without any crying at all!

After we got there, we opened gifts with my sister (Dee), her husband (J.), their son (Addison), their daughter (Madeline), my brother (Jay), his wife (Donette), and their son (Jadon). Here’s a pictorial account of the 2 days in South Carolina.

J., Addison, Madeline, and Jadon:

Donette holding Emma Kate:

Donette, EK, and J.:

Jadon watching Emma Kate:

Jadon’s funny look:

Madeline:

Addison:

The Angel (with her shirt opened to cool off!):

Dee, Grandma, and Donette:

A very difficult “cousin” shot:

Emma Kate with her Aunt Dee:

Emma Kate’s very own Christmas tree:

Grandma just can’t get enough of her:

Jadon loves his Superman laptop we gave him:

Emma Kate’s first Christmas present:

An adorable photo of Emma Kate and Jadon taken on Christmas Eve (or the day before):

Isn’t she gorgeous?:

My cousin Kelly holding EK:

Granny (my dad’s mother):

Jadon, Grandpa, Granny, Emma Kate, and Uncle Junior (my dad’s brother)