Christmas

As usual, I look ROUGH in the Christmas morning pictures, but that's okay. It's not about me or what I look like straight from 2 hours of sleep. Joey didn't let Tripp get up until 6:45 although he woke up at 5:30. Makinley and I were sleeping upstairs after her middle of the night escapades. The kids were super excited to see what Santa brought. And, I didn't even get a picture of each kids' presents individually.

They each got 3 gifts from Santa. Tripp got an IPad, a book bag, and a cinch sack. Makinley got an IPad, a horse for Saige and double stroller for her dolls. AG got a Little People Princess Castle and two play dogs (because she LOVES dogs). Then they each got a few stocking stuffers. We started the "Santa only brings 3 gifts" thing last year, and I'm so glad that we did. I am AWFUL about getting sucked into the commercialism of Christmas and wanting my kids to walk into the living room to a toy store. And it's just ridiculous and not necessary. The Ipads were obviously a big deal, but they are mini's and we got them refurbished. Needless to say, they have been a HUGE hit and the kids have been on them constantly. I'll make rules for them when school starts back, but for the last week, they have been a lifesaver.

Addie Grey wasn't really sure what to make of all of it. She had this confused look on her face a lot Christmas morning.

Once we saw all their Santa goodies, we loaded up and headed to my parents. It was their year to stay with Trey and Jenn on Christmas Eve, so we were anxious to all be together.

Bear is getting so big and is starting to talk more and more. It's so much fun to watch and listen to him.

Addie Grey loves to make her surprised face too! She made it when she looked into any present. The funniest part was that she was more interested in Bear's gifts and he was more interested in hers.

Oh, Makinley....seriously??? The sad thing is that this is the facial expression she had in almost all of the pictures of the grands with my parents.

My family of five! Amazing what a year can do! Not only in the growth of my kids...but in the shrinkage in me and Joey! :-)

And just to document my little climber! She is climbing on everything these days!

So, we've spent the last week enjoying our Christmas presents and doing very, very little. We have just hung out at the house pretty much constantly. While I enjoy relaxing, it will be kind of nice to get back on a schedule next week. I also enjoy some adult interaction on a fairly regular basis! :-) Our New Year's Eve was like any other night around here. We were all in bed and asleep by 9:45! Ha!

Christmas Eve

Once we got home from church, we let the kids open all their presents under the tree. This is how we did it when I was growing up. My brother and I could open anything that was under the tree on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning was reserved for Santa. So, that's what we're doing with our kids too. I prepped my oldest two all day that there weren't any toys under the tree...because there weren't and I didn't want them to whine and complain. They got new pj's, a movie, a new huge set of crayons, new lunch boxes, and new robes. Makinley still let me know she wasn't too thrilled, but Tripp was fine.

I just noticed Makinley's face in this next picture. Can you tell she wasn't really feeling it?? She really doesn't feel much of anything these days. She is trying to be the death of us.

After the obligatory pj picture, we put AG to bed and then we had a family movie night. We watched Smurfs 2 (which was not good AT ALL) and then put Tripp and Makinley to bed in our room. Tripp pretty much went to sleep immediately. Makinley took awhile and didn't fall asleep until after 10. Then, she woke up at 2 and didn't go back to sleep until 5:15. It was NOT fun at all. I thought she was getting the stomach virus that AG had had just 48 hours before because she kept saying her stomach hurt. But, I really think she was just excited and nervous and couldn't sleep. She was slightly off on Christmas Day too though, so she might have had a touch of the bug. Either way, it was a long Christmas Eve and I was worn out on Christmas Day.

Cookies and Play Dough

Like most kids, mine were bursting with excitement on Christmas Eve. Because we had done Christmas with Linda early (and I didn't even take my camera :-() our Christmas Eve was very quiet. We had no plans at all other than the Christmas Eve service at church, so I had to think of some things to do to keep my two older ones occupied! We started by making cookies for Santa.

Addie Grey didn't have a clue what I expected her to do, but I couldn't leave her out of the experience or the pictures!

While the cookies were baking, we made home made play dough. My teaching partner gave Addie Grey some for Christmas and included the recipe and it's all Tripp and Makinley wanted to do once they saw it. It was super, super simple to do and the kids basically did all the work.

So, that was how we 'killed' Christmas Eve day. After this, it was time to get ready to head to the service at church.

Breakfast with Santa

Each year, a local restaurant The ChopHouse does breakfast with Santa. We've gone since Tripp and Makinley were really small. Unfortunately, they didn't seem as 'into it' this year as in years past, but luckily AG will really start to enjoy it next year. This year? Not so much. She kept eyeing him praying he wasn't going to take her from her daddy's arms.

 Look at how she is looking over her shoulder at him. Cracks me up. She was making sure he knew she wanted nothing to do with him.

 Bubba wasn't feeling his best at all. His allergies flared up on Saturday morning and he was struggling.

 After eating breakfast and seeing Santa, they decorate a white chocolate Christmas tree. Neither of them actually like to eat the trees, so they end up going in the trash once we get home. But, it's still a part of the experience. (Oh, and Tripp jammed his finger playing basketball. That's why he has on a splint.)

 Addie Grey walked around chewing on markers the whole time. Not sanitary at all. Maybe that's why she ended up with a tummy bug the next day. :-(

 My family of five. I just noticed Tripp's eyes are closed. Oh well. It's life!

Santa and Tears

We got lucky this year and United Bank had a private event with Santa that we were able to take the kids too. This Santa was beautiful and patient. He sincerely looked like the real deal. Tripp and Makinley were super excited and I talked about "Ho Ho" with Addie Grey the whole ride to the bank. It didn't matter.

As soon as she realized Joey was walking her toward Santa, her grip started getting tighter and tighter on his shirt.

 And then after the pass off came pure and total terror.

 He tried to give her a candy cane, and that about sent her over the edge. I don't know what she thought he was giving her. But she wasn't having it.

 And then it was all she could do to not jump out of his arms. I intervened after this!

 Tripp and Makinley then filled his ears with what they wanted.

 Once they were finished, I decided that I would get in the picture so that we could have one without Addie Grey screaming.

 When we were finished, she was all about the candy canes Santa had. Just don't let him be the one to give it to her.

 And happy to be done with that man for a year!

Well, actually, we have breakfast with Santa soon. We'll see how that goes!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was low key and spent around the kitchen table. Plans got changed at the last minute because Jennifer's grandfather died, so we ended up having it at our house. We hated that Trey, Jenn and Bear couldn't be with us, but she obviously needed to be with her family. There is no doubt, outside of the months June and July, November and December are by far my favorite months of the year. I love all the festivities, the togetherness with my family, the meaning behind the holidays...I love it all.

It's crazy how much she has grown and changed from last Thanksgiving! Her personality comes out more and more every day. She is a mess.

 My dad's eyes are pretty much never open in pictures. I've about given up! This works better anyway!!!

 My family of five. How blessed I am. God is reminding me of that daily. I get so caught up and stressed out in the day to day. Then I look at my family and remember how truly, unbelievably good God is. I'm thankful.

 We couldn't leave Grammie out!! I wish Tom was in the picture too, but he might have been napping on the couch. The kids are looking pretty rough in this one. You can tell the day was drawing to a close.

Now it's really time to gear up for the Christmas spirit!