Christmas at Our House

We had planned to have Christmas here the weekend before Christmas.  Due to all the babies being sick, we moved it to the day after Christmas.  I am notorious for taking everything down the day after Christmas, but I actually enjoyed extending it.  The girls stayed after Josh, Lindsey and Reed left, so that made Christmas even more fun!!  The girls are at such an awesome age for enjoying the magic of Christmas!  Maddie can also tell you the complete story of the birth of Jesus!  The holidays are different for Reed and I now, but different can be pretty terrific!!

A little nourishment to help through the festivities!

Papa took in all the fun!!  The babies love him!  (We do, too!)

I'm not sure what this look was all about!

Checking out her presents with Mom

Not too sure about this look either!

Baby Reed and Aunt Taylor

Tired after a long, long day!

Looks like a serious conversation!

This picture holds a very large part of my heart!

I told Maddie that when I was little we started with the youngest and opened presents one at a time.  It took all afternoon!!  You also had to stay in the room and watch while everyone opened their gifts.  I couldn't convince her that this would be a fun thing for us to do!

Just  a few more pictures of our special time together!

Another wonderful holiday is in the books!!  

Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve

We were able to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with Josh, Lindsey and the babies.  The girls were supper excited the night before.  After a wonderful supper, everyone went to bed early.  EVERY morning starts early at their house, and Christmas morning was no exception.  Maddie quietly sneaked in the bed with Pop and I around 4:30 or so, and she had already quickly checked out her presents.  She sweetly said, "I saw an Elsa dress and lots of other stuff."  I convinced her to stay with us until we heard Lillian stirring a few minutes later.  Lots of fun was had by all!

(My camera has officially died.  So, I am now dependent on Iphone photos, which I hate!)


Maddie is an awesome big sister!!!  She takes very good care of Reed!!

I love the organized chaos of Christmas morning!  

Well hello there Pop!

Clothes are optional with this one! Santa was very good to her!!

This sweet thing rolled and scooted around and had a great time taking it all in.  He also spent lots of quality time with Pop munching on wrapping paper!

Santa brought Maddie an Olaf waffle maker, so we were treated to wonderful waffles Christmas morning!

These sweet babies have been sick with one thing or another for over a month now, so we were so glad they were well enough to enjoy all the festivities!  Next up, Christmas at our house!

Tinsel Trail

Reed and I met Caleb and Taylor for supper earlier this week, and then we headed to walk the Tinsel Trail in Tuscaloosa.  Best free event ever!!!


I love a beautifully decorated Christmas Tree, and this event didn't disappoint.  I also love these two!!

Inspite of a slow, light drizzle, I loved this and hope we can do it again next year!

I know I am going to get in trouble for this, but below is just a little dose of what it's like to get Caleb to participate in the picture taking process!

We are headed to Alex City to spend the night with our sweet babies, and see what Santa brings them!  We will head back in the morning and enjoy Christmas with all of them here Friday.  

Merry Christmas!!

Parties and Lights

I so love this time of the year.  Cantatas, parties, lights, family and friends make Christmas so special. I didn't take any pictures of our annual Friendship Party but trust me, we had a ball as usual! We had planned to have Christmas here with Lindsey and Caleb this past weekend, but the flu has hit Lindsey's house.  So, we have postponed that until the day after Christmas.  I think Reed and I are going to travel down there Christmas Day.  This week Reed and I ventured to Fayette to view the lights, and I was quite impressed.  We are meeting Caleb and Taylor tonight for supper and to enjoy the Riverwalk.  There will be no ice skating on my part, but I do plan to enjoy the decorated trees.
We are also planning to attend the Christmas Eve service at church.  Even though this is such a busy time, I love everything about it!!  I can't wait to see my babies this week, and see Christmas through their eyes!

Beautiful lights at the Fayette Park!

And a little fun at the faculty Christmas party. These people certainly keep life interesting!!  I love them all!

Merry Christmas!

Fun With the Big Guy

Maddie, Lillian and I enjoyed a fun adventure with Breakfast with Santa.  Reed has been sick, so he stayed with Pop. Hopefully, he will be able to join us next year.

Maddie hopped right up on Santa's lap and sweetly asked for surprises for Christmas.  Lillian wanted no part of Santa or his promises of presents.

In addition to seeing Santa, there were several other fun activities.  First, the girls decorated a reindeer ornament.

This picture makes it look like Lillian got her face painted.  She lasted about .5 seconds after she felt the first stroke of paint.  

 This one loved it!!  She even went back for seconds after she wiped it off the first time!!

As we ate breakfast and enjoyed all the fun things to do, Maddie and I kept talking to Lillian about how sweet Santa was, and how fun it would be to talk to him.  To my amazement, she agreed to sit in his lap.  Well, I told the camera lady to be ready.  I had a feeling this was going to be a quick little meeting!!  She walked right up, sat down and actually smiled.  (The camera lady missed that!!)  Then, she turned toward the jolly old man, and let loose!!  The picture below was snapped right before the all out screams began!  However, Nana was thrilled we got the picture!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Caleb moved into his and Taylor's new house this past Friday night, and we invaded on Saturday!  They stayed up super late and got the Christmas tree up, and it was the perfect backdrop for a little photo shoot!

We were all dressed up for Breakfast with Santa.  Both little ones have been sick this week, but with the help of lots of medicine, they all had a great time.  Reed stayed at Uncle C's with Pop while the girls and I headed to the event. Lindsey went to a shower for Taylor that I so hated to miss!

This picture of Uncle C and Lillian melts my heart.  She's a great helper!!

These pictures were taken at their house before we headed back to Tuscaloosa for Breakfast with Santa. Pop and I had gone down to take care of the two sick little ones for a couple of days.  Reed's not crawling yet, but he can roll with the best of them!!  He had lots of fun exploring under the tree.

Surely that's not a pine needle on that sweet boy's face!!  Those eyes just keep getting bluer!!

 Maddie and I spent quite a bit of time building a house with Lincoln logs!  The next morning the mischievous elf, Tinker had crashed into our house!!

 A little photo shoot before school with this cutie! She is growing up way too fast!!  I am also very sad to say that this angel now has the flu!! What next??

Next up, Breakfast with Santa!!

Church Memories

Way back in the summer, Reed said that he would like to find a tree and decorate it on the lawn of our church.  I am very happy to say that it proved to be one of his best ideas.  Reed and Willie cut the tree and placed it on the church lawn.  Jennie bought beautiful lights, and Reed and Willie added those.  Our congregation gathered together for a soup supper followed by singing carols and the lighting of the tree.  It was a special night that we all enjoyed so much!

Two of the hardest working men I know!

I think this is something that our church members and the entire town can enjoy!

 I truly hope this becomes a yearly tradition!

Several wonderful ladies from our church hosted a shower for Caleb and Taylor.  It was a wonderful afternoon.  They were blessed with many, many beautiful gifts!

Each one of these ladies has blessed my life in so many ways over the years.  I am so thankful that they thought of Caleb and Taylor during this special time.

Precious couple!  Once again, I can't wait until January 31! 

Caleb, Taylor, her mom Tammy and grandmother (Her other grandmother had left.)



The sweet couple and hostesses

Taylor and her mom

Love, love, love these two!!

Sweet memories!!