Thursday, December 19, 2013

A Walk and a Photo Shoot

 Hello, lovely readers!  This chilly afternoon, Chrissa and I bundled up and took our dogs, Chocolate Chip and Sugar, on a walk around the neighborhood.
 What do you think of Chrissa's new, orange sweater?  Mother made it for her.
 We chatted as we walked, enjoying the nippy weather.
 Even our dogs donned their coats, which I made, against the cold.
 "I can't wait for it to snow!" my impatient sister exclaimed. "I really want a white Christmas.  And I can't wait to see Libby and Marie!  It's been ages since I last saw them."
"Very true." I agreed, smiling at the thought.
"Okay, we're back at Nana's house.  I'm going to run inside and sit by the fireplace." Chrissa said.  "What about you?"
"Because the lighting is perfect, I think I will take Caroline and Beth out here for a photo shoot."  I did just that.
 Caroline is a beautiful doll.
 Her curly blond hair, her aquamarine eyes...
 ... and her gorgeous, soft, pink dress.  I am very happy with her.
 She and Beth actually look rather similar.
 Beth forgot her shoes!
 The slowly setting sun created a lovely halo in their hair.
 I think this is my favorite picture of my new doll.
What do you think of Caroline?

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Nebraska, Here We Come!

 Hi all!  Yesterday, for Christmas, we flew into Nebraska to stay with our Nana and Papa.  Early yesterday morning, we packed up the car and drove to the St. Augustine Airport, and caught our first flight to Chicago.
 Because it's her favorite spot to sit, Elizabeth took a seat next to the window.  This flight (two hours) was longer than our second connecting flight (forty-five minutes), so my sister read a book while I watched a movie.
 Landing in Chicago, we were surprised to see the ground covered in snow.  My family grabbed lunch at McDonald's, then headed for out gate, which we arrived at with time to spare.
After boarding, I listened to music and wrote in my journal.
After landing, Mom, Dad, Elizabeth and I walked to baggage claim and picked up our checked bags, which we then carried to our Nana's car.  I was so happy to see her!  Sadly, Papa couldn't come along.
Coming in for the last bags, I spotted none other than my cousin McKenna! 
"McKenna!" I called, running up to give her a hug.
"Chrissa!" she cried when she saw me.
When we had finished, Elizabeth gave McKenna a hug, which was cut short with a "Come on, McKenna! We have to go!" from her mom.  We all ran outside, going our different paths.  It wasn't really "Goodbye", because we knew that we would see her again for Christmas.
The sun set just as we were leaving the airport, ...
... so I snapped this cool picture of Elizabeth.  We had a light dinner at Nana's house, then headed to bed, exhausted.
Are you going anywhere for Christmas?

Monday, December 16, 2013

Our First Christmas Exchange

Hello, lovely readers!  After lunch, my family celebrated a early Christmas, because we are flying to Nebraska tomorrow and did not think it wise to carry all the gifts there and back again.
Our tree was piled high with presents!
"Chrissa, since you are the youngest, why don't you open first?" Mother said.
"Here- please open mine first." I offered, handing my sister a rectangle wrapped in green dog paper.
"What could this be?" Chrissa wondered, tearing off the paper. "O-o, a photo book!  Thanks, Elizabeth!"
"You are welcome." I replied with a smile.  "May I open one now?"
"Of course." Father said.
"How about this one?" Mother suggested, pointing to a red present covered in white polka-dots.  
Picking it up from under our tree, I carefully opened my gift without ripping the paper.
"Just tear it up!" Chrissa said. "Why go to all the work?"
"I save the paper for other useful purposes." I told my sister. "Oh, Mother!  This is so pretty!"
"Do you like it?" Mother asked hopefully.  "I made it."
"It's beautiful." I assured her.  Next, Mother and Father each opened a gift, and then it was Chrissa's turn again.
"Why don't you open this one next?" I suggested.
"Okay, sure." Chrissa replied, grabbing the package and tearing off the paper. "EEEE!!!  The Sweet Sailor dress!  This is ADORBS!  Thanks, Mom and Dad!"
"Once we finish, I am so trying it on." Chrissa sighed happily.  "Here, Elizabeth, open this one." she added, handing me a sparkly red and green bag.
"Very well." I said, untying the bow to reveal a Design Notepad.
"You love to make so many things, " Mother said, "so we thought that this would be a nice place to jot them down."
"Thank you!  I look forward to using it." I happily replied.  "Now I want you to open my gift."  I handed my mother a gift with a cute bow on top, which she opened.
"How lovely!  Thank you, dear." Mother said, giving me a hug. "You know I like mocha's."  Father opened, and once again it was Chrissa's turn.
"What's in here?" my sister asked, shaking the gift next to her ear, then dropping it on her lap to excitedly open. "This is a way cute doll outfit!  I'm going to go get Felicity and try it on her right now!" 

To my surprise, the largest gift under our tree was for me!  I opened it up to disclose...
"Caroline's Travel Dress!  Thank you so much, Mother and Father!" I exclaimed, holding up the fancy dress.  "I am most excited to try it on!"
"You're welcome, sweetheart."  Father and Mother, who had opened all their gifts, said that we could still continue taking turns.
Selecting a slightly lumpy gift, Chrissa sat back down on the couch to open it up.
"Oh wow!  A doll sleeping bag set!" she said happily.  "Thanks!  Hmm, should I use it for Nellie or Felicity..."
"Elizabeth, I think you should open this one next." Father strongly suggested.
"Of course!" I agreed, accepting a large, rectangular present.  My surprise mounted as I peeled back the paper.
"Caroline?" I whispered with wide eyes.
"No way." Chrissa said, looking over my shoulder.
"It's Caroline!" I nearly shouted in my joy. "Oh, she is so beautiful, lovely, and wonderful!  Thank you with all of my heart!"  
"You are very welcome, Elizabeth."  Mother said, smiling with me. "All right, each of you have a few more presents to open."  Chrissa got a second doll bedding set, four Littlest Pet Shop animals ...
... and I received a outfit for my doll, Beth; shimmering gold earrings from Chrissa, yarn, and a purple purse.  
Once all the festive paper was cleared off the floor, Chrissa tried on her new dress.
Here are all (besides the dress) of Chrissa's gifts: two doll bedding sets, a photo book, four Littlest Pet Shops, and a new outfit for Felicity.
I, too, donned my new dress.  I received it, ...
... and the design pad, Caroline(!), a outfit for my dolls, a pink skirt, blue yarn ball, and the purple purse.
It's rather funny, because this year we will have two Christmases!
Do you celebrate Christmas?

Friday, December 13, 2013

A Salty Flashback: Nellie and Felicity

 Hi all!  Today, while playing with my two wonderful dolls, Nellie and Felicity, my memory drifted to when I first got them...
 My love for American Girls goes way back to when Elizabeth first got her "My American Girl" doll Beth for Christmas.  After begging Elizabeth to let me play with her many times, my slightly annoyed, but still practical sister suggested that I look in the AG catalog for a doll of my own.  I did, and instantly fell in love with Nellie, who Mom, Dad and my Grandparents bought me for my 8th birthday.
 Ever since I first saw her, I have adored her from her bangs...
 ... to her feet.  She is my first and treasured doll.
 Two years later, Felicity, who has beautiful long red hair, came to me after much hinting and pleading on my part.  
 It's funny, because when American Girl sold Felicity, I wasn't into her very much.  However, after I saw her in person at a friend's house, I just had to have her because she is so gorgeous and her long hair is so much fun to style.
 And have her I did, for my tenth birthday.  I even posted about receiving her here:  http://thesaltysadollblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/its-my-birthday.html.  
Do you have any American Girl dolls?