The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Good intentions-I really had them.  I was going to do multiple posts during this wonderful time of the year.  I was going to share all the little and big things we had going on.........It just didn't happen.  So, I'm just going to skip to the main event, and assure you that we had a wonderful month.

The decorations and tree are down and all boxed up.  The big kids are here for a visit, and sadly the little one is under the weather. All that remains are wonderful memories, and the promise of more to come.  As I have said many, many times, I love everything about Christmas.  I mostly love sharing it with the ones I love the most!

The gang's all here!  We actually celebrated here the Saturday before Christmas.  I have adopted that day, and so far it's working out perfectly.  The big kids stayed a couple of days and played with John Sawyer.

Next year, there will be one more.  Reed is thrilled that the boys will outnumber the girls 3-2!

After breakfast, we opened presents.  Smiles all around!

Maddie asked for and received a crossbow. John Sawyer thinks Reed is the greatest thing since peanut butter!  

Just a few more snapshots of our time together.

And he's off!

Back to the presents!

After opening presents, the kids played and then we enjoyed a great supper together.  It was a full, but wonderful day.

 We took the kids back and spent Christmas Eve with Lindsey and her family, and then traveled back to quickly see Caleb and his family before they left for the Hall's.  Very busy day, but so worth it!

For some reason, I didn't take one single picture Christmas morning at Caleb's.  So, this precious picture of this angel will have to take the place of those pictures!

We made cookies, looked at Christmas lights, attended different events, enjoyed Taylor's cantata, shopped and more.  I am thankful for such a blessed, wonderful time of celebrating the birth of Jesus!
It was a very Merry Christmas!

Friends

Many, many years ago several of the then older ladies in our church (Aliceville First United Methodist) approached the younger ladies (Many of whom are now almost older ladies), and told us it was time for us to form our own circle.  I particularly remember Myrtle Ruth Alexander and Mary Frances Noland leading this effort.  Before long, the Friendship Circle was born, and oh what fun we have had together.  We have experienced marriages, births, deaths, and every life event in between.  We have laughed, cried, prayed, and shared so many special things together.  I treasure each lady in this group, and am thankful for the impact each has had on my life.  I host the annual Christmas Party and ornament swap, and it is one of the highlights of my year.  We had a near disaster (broken water line), and I was worried we would have to move it.  However, my trusty repair man (Reed) came through at the last minute and all was well. We have several other ladies in our church that we would love to join us!

Everyone brings an appetizer and the fun begins. Notice our faithful Pastor!  He is the only man in the church that's also a member of the women's group.

Two of my very favorite people.

After a tasty meal, we do a little business and have a devotion.

Then the fun begins-Our ornament swap!  If you hear any vicious rumors about me stealing from the preacher or his wife, rest assured they are true.  I believe if you are going to play anything, you should give it all you've got!  I am going to add that the sweet, quiet lady in the picture above is the one you really have to watch.  I'm going to let you decide which of the two I am talking about. 

I still don't think Laura quite knows what to think about us.  She's also probably a little dismayed that I volunteered her house for an upcoming meeting.  Love her!

Cathy admiring an ornament that I am pretty sure she didn't get to keep.

And I know Pam didn't keep that one!

Jennifer went through several ornaments.

Sweet sisters!

Susie, Jenni, and Sarah-all smiles.

Karen's ornament was also taken several times.  She went back to the unopened ones everytime. No stealing for her.

Don't let that sweet smile fool you!

Jenni got in on the fun, too.

We were missing several, but still had an awesome group. 

My tree is literally filled with ornaments from this event.  Each one is as unique and as special as this group.  Thanks for the sweet, special memories. 

Merry Christmas!

Tis the Season

I left Aliceville a week ago to keep Lillian and Reed, while Lindsey and Josh chaperoned Maddie's fieldtrip to Dauphin Island.  I got home around midnight Friday night.  We spent Saturday in Meridian with my family for Christmas, and then traveled back to Alex City for the Children's Program at their church.  I ended the journey with a Christmas party at our house.  I am very tired, but loved every moment of it.  I got to take the little ones two and from school, and to karate and piano lessons.  I miss those days, and know all too well that they will be over in the blink of an eye.  I love the hustle and bustle of this Christmas season, and am always a little sad when it's over.  I am looking forward to catching up on my Hallmark movies the next couple of weeks.

These three are growing up so fast.  All three did an excellent job in the program.

This sweet girl played to a packed house, and did an awesome job!  She has only been taking lessons for a short time, but has really progressed quickly!

This sassy proclaiming angel was a hit!

And this one is just the cutest shepherd I've ever seen!

We met this year at Weidman's in Meridian.  The food was great, but the company was even better.  These are my people, and I truly wish we saw each other more often.  Michael and Doris were the best hosts!

My twin uncles.  Love them both dearly.

Lots of little ones!  Lindsey and her family couldn't join us (play practice).  They would have had a ball catching up with the little ones.

These two own a large piece of my heart, too!  We can't wait until May to meet our new little one.

Pop and his littlest buddy discussing all the cousins.

Hunter, Kathy and Bob-Three of Grove Hill's finest!  I could make millions by writing a book on my adventures with Bob and Anne when we were growing up.  I'm afraid no one would believe most of the stories.

Cheese!

Cassandra, Adrian and Bethany-Although technically they are my first cousins, I am much more like an Aunt. It seems like just yesterday that they were little girls, and now they have families of their own.

Bethany came prepared with lots of goodies to entertain the little ones.

Hunter, Cassandra and Tyson

Somebody enjoyed the chocolate pie!

My best buddy

Cassandra and Gil-Cassandra is now teaching at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. They are dividing their time between Tuscaloosa and the Mississippi coast.

We are missing quite a few.  You were missed, and we hope you can make it next year.

Next up, the Friendship Circle Party.

Thankful

Our best memories of holidays have everything to do with who we share them with, and little to do with the food and trimmings.  This was a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and I loved sharing it with those we love the most.  Pop and I took the kids home Wednesday and stayed to enjoy a special meal with them before heading back Thursday afternoon to spend time with Caleb and his family. Lindsey did an awesome job of cooking.  Grandmother would have been very proud of her dressing and gravy-and especially her caramel cake. Saturday, we all gathered here for a Thanksgiving meal, built our candy houses, and watched a little football.  Even with two running fever and a couple more not feeling very spunky, we still had a near perfect day. I am so very thankful for my family, and couldn't love them more.  It's a really awesome feeling to see and experience what wonderful people they have grown to be (and their spouses, too).

Thanksgiving -Round 1

Round 2-I did not get one picture of the turkey frying going on outside!  I was inside working on the other "stuff". It was delicious as always though!  Love our chief cook.

Love this stinker!

A little pre-meal fun!

We find out what number 2 is this week, and while it truly doesn't matter-I can't wait!!

Two of the sweetest girls in the whole wide world!

Time to eat!  The only picture I got of this.

Thank goodness it was warm enough to make our houses outside this year.  This is our twenty-ninth year.  Forgive me for bragging, but we've got this little activity down pat!  I am only going to share a little of the completed houses now.  I am working on a post of all things Christmas.  I must add that this is a tradition that I love, and hope they do, too.  

This one is a perfectionist-and completed a cute, cute sleigh.

This one helped all three of her children get started before working on hers.

Pop is our resident artist, and we know he is always going to end up with something quite special.

Taylor and Lillian were hard at work.

Josh is giving Reed a little advice.

This job requires lots of serious thinking, and a little help from a picture on the phone! :)

Hard at work!

"Nana, do you mean I really get to play with all this candy, icing, cookies and cereal?"

This little one was actually a little under the weather.

Our finished products, but much more to come on these.  No kits-just boxes, candy, icing and goodies with lots of imagination and tons of fun!

Merry Christmas!