Christmas Eve 2012

Christmas Eve

2012

The evening of Christmas Eve was spent at Arlington Congregational Church UCC. The children participated in the Christmas play. 

Kellisa was an angel and Egypt a lamb.

After church, we headed to The Jacksonville Landing to view the city's Christmas Tree display:

Kellisa bear hugging Egypt:

Egypt making her escape from Kellisa's grip:

The Birmingham Zoo

The Birmingham Zoo

December 2012

Egypt enjoying the "mingos"

Egypt's eyes had tears from the cold wind while riding the train. At one point, Egypt looked at me and explained the tears as: "daddy, my face isn't working right".

Egypt taking a picture of a baby orangutan:

Egypt made three new friends while riding the train. They were visiting the zoo on a high school field trip. I let Egypt walk with them to see the monkeys and elephants. While in the monkey house, the girl's teacher caught up with them and they introduced Egypt as their new friend from the train. The teacher got very concerned thinking the girls had let Egypt wander away from her parents. I was standing about 10 feet away at the time. The girls quickly pointed to me and explained that I was Egypt's father. The teacher sighed with great relief.

Egypt posing by a bug for Kellisa (Egypt thought Kellisa would want to put this picture in her room):

Cheaha Mountain

Cheaha Mountain

2,407ft.

Alabama

December 2012

Egypt's first state Highpoint:

As we arrived, we found Cheaha Mountain surrounded by clouds

 Napping 

The rain and clouds made the easy drive to the summit a little challenging

 Summit of Alabama 

(We were getting out either way, but didn't mind that the rain stopped for a few minutes)

Overlook near the summit

 Egypt enjoying "Gingerbread Junction" in front of the camp store

As we left, this is the same vantage point as the first picture

Castillo de San Marcos

Lisa and Kellisa went to see the Nutcracker in Saint Augustine which left an afternoon free for Egypt and myself. I didn't have a plan and when we were driving by Castillo de San Marcos, something caught Egypt's eye as she asked to go "there". Since this would be my first visit, I didn't know if Egypt would like it, but it sounded good since it was better than anything I had in mind. It took driving through the parking lot twice before I found a spot and as soon as I opened the door Egypt took off running towards the 300+ year old fort. To my surprise, Egypt loved exploring the monument while asking a million questions.