Christmas at AES

I don't blog about my wonderful co-workers nearly enough! In honor of returning to work tomorrow, I thought I would share some Christmas at AES memories with you!!  I thoroughly enjoy the people I work with.  Each day is a new adventure!  As I think you will be able to see from the pictures, we have a ball together!  We all brought a dish, revealed who we drew for "Secret Santa", sang a Christmas carol, and then ended the day by playing "Dirty Santa." 

I simply love working with these sweet, special ladies.  Although, I must say that even though Lauri has a reputation of being all sweet and nice, she is the most wicked Dirty Santa player I know......Don't be fooled by that sweet smile!

Everyone is all smiles as we wait for the festivities to begin!

Mr. Smart, our principal.  Can you imagine being the only man in an ocean of women?  Beverly was really getting into the Christmas carol!!

 Our gifts from our Secret Santa!  So much fun!!

Dirty Santa-We draw numbers, anxiously await our turn, pick out our present and then wait for it to be stolen! Jessica drew that magic last number and got to pick the present of her choice.  She was the lucky recipient of a Crock pot!  I must add that our PTO purchases all the gifts for Dirty Santa, and each gift is really nice! 

 

Merry Christmas!!

Christmas at Grandmother's

After a great time at home, we loaded up and headed to Grandmother and Papa's for more family fun.  I am so thankful that Maddie is getting to spend time with her cousins.  Among my favorite memories as a child are the times I spent with Anne and Bob.  There is simply nothing like family memories.  As always, the food was wonderful, the decorations beautiful and the company fantastic.

Hanging out and playing with the new Christmas presents.

How big your eyes are my dear!  (Yes, there is a story behind this......You'll have to ask Aunt Di to tell you about it!)

Fun times!

Yes, these little monkeys are jumping on the bed!  All the "older" kids said this would have never happened when they were little!!

Maddie really loves the big kids.  Check out her lion roar!

Opening Presents

Lindsey, Maddie and Josh

Caleb

Grandmother-resting after all her hard work

Reed and his sweet sisters-Di and Sandra

Josey-these glasses provided lots of fun!

 Sweet hug between cousins!

And this is what happens when Yvonne isn't here-everyone pitches in to help!  She's still the best dish washer in the world!!

I know that I used this picture earlier, but it pretty much sums up the great time we all had together!

 What a wonderful Christmas!  Lots of great memories were made!!

Christmas-Part 1

 The days of getting up at 4:30 to see what Santa brought appear to be over.  But, there is a lot to be said for a nice, quiet Christmas morning. Reed, Caleb and I began Christmas morning with a nice breakfast with Mr. Jack and Mrs. Carolyn. We eventually made it down the stairs to discover that Santa had indeed come.  I did tell Caleb that he would probably have left lots more, if he had remembered the cookies and milk!  We waited for Josh, Lindsey and Maddie to arrive around 1:00 to open gifts.  I must say that you certainly can see the joy and magic of Christmas through the eyes of our sweet Maddie.  What did we do before we had her?

Getting ready to open presents while enjoying the fire!

Maddie had a ball opening her presents.  She would open a few and then play.  Needless to say, it took a little longer than usual to open everything. So much fun!!!

Look out  hill-here we come!  Check out the pink, sparkly Tom's shoes from her mom and dad.  Perfect for a princess!

 Uncle C had a great Christmas, too!  Maddie helped him pass out gifts and then she helped us all open our gifts.

 Josh and Lindsey enjoying the day!

 Reed opens his presents!

 Maddie and I in the Thomas the Train tent from Uncle C - and Maddie just having a good time!

 
And last but not least, Kitty survived his first Christmas!!

 

 After a wonderful time together, we headed up the hill to Grandmother and Papa's for more great memories.  More on that next time.  I am so thankful for such a great Christmas season.  I feel truly blessed, and it has nothing to do with the presents!  My only regret is that it goes by so fast!! I don't want to rush things too much, but I can't wait until next year when baby number 2 joins in the fun!!

Joy

Marnetta, Stacy, Gloria and I ventured to Sips and Strokes for another fun night.  After a little shopping, and a rather tasty meal at Mug Shots, we were ready to put our artistic talents to the test!  I have been several times, but I think this may be my favorite picture yet!  Maybe it was just the great company I was with!

Stacy and Marnetta

Gloria and I

Don't let this sweet little smile fool you....This girl takes her painting seriously!!

Concentrating!!

This is the super sweet lady that led our class.  She may or may not be REMOVING my "y".  Why you ask?  For some strange reason, I chose to write it backwards........

So, is this anyway for a preacher's wife to behave?

Much Better!



My Masterpiece!!  I actually hung this one in the bathroom!

Aren't we talented!!!

I can't wait for the next adventure.  Look out "All Fired Up"!  Here we come!!

Small Town Christmas

You can't have Christmas without a parade.  Our church gives away free hot chocolate at the parade each year.  Reed has made the hot chocolate all by himself the last couple of years.  I must say that he's really good at it!  This year's parade didn't have near as many floats, but was still quite enjoyable!  It's also a great occasion to spend time with fellow church members!

Mrs. Sara and the Chief Hot Chocolate Maker-Reed

Randy and Brenda-who forgot her coat.........

Lynn and Delores

And the parade begins.....

Miss Merry Christmas- Our neighbor Audrey

I thought this was a rather unique entry.....

You can't have a parade without a  band or two!

I know that girl!!

Our church float

Our Pastor and his wife Jerri enjoying the parade

And of course - Santa!!

Merry Christmas!