Christmas Day

Santa came through with lots of goodies, including a cute little kitty running around the living room when the kids woke up. "Minnie" was definitely the highlight of the morning. While some kids may have slept in.... not these 3... up at 6:30! Collin made multiple trips around the house on his scooter. Ty got a coaster and since that morning he has ridden it about 1,000 times. Finally something to entertain the fella. Here we are enjoying the morning.

Then it was off to Mimi and Paw Paw's for breakfast and gift exchanging. Not the best picture, but this is how it is with 10 little ones. This morning can easily be described as happy chaos with people and gifts wall to wall.

Then we headed to Nana and Poppa's. We had a nice time there, but things went south from here when the stomach bug hit. Poor Kyle barely remembers Christmas Day from this point on.

This picture pretty much sums up the days following Christmas.  I have never seen our kids lay in one spot for hours/days at a time, but the virus sure did it this year.  Thankfully everyone is back up to speed and in full force again.  We are so thankful for another wonderful Christmas!

Christmas 2013

The days leading up to Christmas were torture for these kids! They begged every day to open just one little present, but we didn't cave. On Brantlee's wish list was a baby kitty, Easy Bake Oven, and a stuffed Sofia... and anything else she saw on t.v. :) Collin wanted a Y-Flicker scooter and a Razor 360 Flashrider.

Collin had p.j. day at school so Brantlee had her own pajama day too. We baked cookies that morning. Ty wasn't a whole lot of "help" so I put him in his high chair and let him play with flour.

Finally it was time to open presents at Lolly and Poppy's house. We usually do this on Christmas Eve's Eve. We always get a picture in front of the tree with the shirts Lolly appliques for them. It was wild! It always is. It's our first gathering and all the excitement is unleashed!

Christmas Eve morning we exchanged gifts as a family. Ty could not have cared less about opening the gifts or what was inside. Everyone else thoroughly enjoyed both parts. Dad is so proud of his coffee mug with everyone's picture on it. And B was just a little excited about her new "real" cowboy boots. (Real= boots that aren't pink) Later that morning Poppy came by to help Collin and B shoot their new Daisy BB guns. They each got one. Oh MY!

Christmas Eve at Mee Maw's always starts with the multiple pictures in from the tree. Here are just a few. Tate did fabulous until the last one, then he had to be forced to participate. Literally! We enjoyed snacks and a birthday cake for Jesus and then gift exchanging. Mee Maw received her family calendar and was so happy.  Wii Just Dance for Kids was a big hit too.

After this gathering, we went to my cousin Virginia's house for dinner with the rest of the family.  It was tough getting the kids to get in bed, especially Brantlee. She is SO my child. She got so worked up that she might not go to sleep and would miss Santa and never get her baby kitty!! Collin was asleep before his head hit the pillow. Like father, like son :) 

You might be a redneck...

We had lots of activities to get us in the Christmas spirit. A few weeks ago, we went to Christmas in the Highlands. This same weekend Kyle had been out of town for 4 days that week helping his dad with a project. My hat is off to single moms. Yes, indeed. This same night, we spent the night with Lolly and Poppy. Ty was sick and slept a grand total of 10 minutes that night. Bless.

 That next day we bundled up in the frigid temperatures to watch the Christmas Parade. Ty didn't make either of these events.

The next weekend, we celebrated a Birthday for Jesus at church with our preschoolers with crafts, games, and cake. It was fun and I think the adults enjoyed it just as much. This same weekend we also had our adult Sunday School party.

 This past week was class party week for both big kids. Fun week! And a big week too. Collin got student of the month, had Polar Express (PJ) Day, and had his class party. B had a short week and got out of school on Wednesday. I can't believe one semester of the school year is over!

Thursday night we loaded up with the Reids and walked through the lights at Mason Park. Dairy Queen may never be the same but we had a fun time!

The next day we picked up Collin from school and headed north to Poppa's hunting camp. The kids LOVED it! Now... Sister loves all things pink and sparkly BUT deep down, she's a country girl. She even hunted with Kyle some. Kyle's exact words were "if the deer are deaf and blind, we might be okay"... Ha! And she had to climb the tree stand too for fun.

Kyle and I didn't get a deer that afternoon, but early Saturday morning we got the call from Kyle.  Everyone in the house piled on the ranger in pajamas and and headed out to see what he got.

 Again, you really might be a redneck...

It was a very fun weekend out in the middle of nowhere. So quiet and peaceful. It was nice just before all the Christmas festivities began.