Santa & Christmas Day 2008

The girls were so looking forward to Santa coming to see them. I left the cookies and milk out for Santa since they were asleep when we got home from Meemaw's. Abby was the first up around 7 Christmas morning. I was able to get her to our bedroom without looking in the living room. She was really ready to open her gifts and see what Santa brought. I told her that she needed to go wake Sissy up, who happen to be in our bedroom floor sleeping, before we could go open presents. As soon as I said "go tell Sissy Santa came" Allie pops up and says "Santa came" with a big smile on her face.

Walking into the living room.

I am teaching my girls early how to use a camera :)

Santa brought exactly what the girls wanted! A Sleeping Beauty doll, a Walking Horse, a magic wand and Sleeping Beauty's Fairy Godmothers. They were so happy! Abby told me that "this is the best Christmas presents ever" all while hugging her Sleeping Beauty. I could not have been happier as well.

After opening gifts we packed up and heading to Granny & Papaw's house for another round of gifts and more fun with family.

Playing with the jump ropes Papaw gave the girls. While the little girls played with the jump ropes the "big' kids (Zachary, Kevin, Keith & I) threw the football in the front yard.

My parents have cows in their pasture again. We had a cow when I was little and now a family friend has 9 cows grazing in my parents pasture. When I told the girls about the cows living out behind my parents house Allie asked me she could ride one of them. The cows never came close enough to the fence so the girls could touch them but they would sit and watch the girls when they were at the fence.

Christmas Eve 2008

On Christmas Eve the girls and I made cookies for Santa and put out the Reindeer food we got at the Alpine Village. Here are the girls "spreading" the food on the yard. Yes, they are in their pj's and wearing their rain boots.

After Raymond got home from work we tried to take pictures in Mr. Keith's front yard. The girls were excited to be outside. We all were happy it decided to stop raining.

We then traveled to Meemaw's house for dinner and family fun. After the kids opened presents the "adults" played Monopoly. It was fun to sit and play games with the family. I was the first out followed by Turner, Rachel, Chris and then Raymond. Daniel was the big winner. He also started the game with only 3 or 4 properties!!

Here is Hannah reading to the girls.

The girls in the Cinderella Dresses, Aunt Betty "bought' them.

Me & Rachel

Christmas Cards

I totally took this idea from my friend Amy. (Thanks!) It is a great way to display your Christmas Photo Cards. I took ribbon and stapled it to the side of our coat closet and the attached the photo cards with mini clothes pins. I took the cards that folded and hung them over the blinds on our front door. I may need to add another row of ribbon next year.

Happy 10th Anniversary

On Friday, December 19th Raymond & I had our 10th wedding anniversary. Here is a picture from our wedding day.

Our scanner is not installed on our computer so I took a picture of a picture to post :)

Here we are today.

Cookie/Candy Swap

Sunday I am going to a Christmas Cookie/Candy Swap. I am taking Crock Pot Candy. Here is the recipe

This makes almost 124 pieces.




And the cute Coke bottles I bought at Wal-Mart today. Those are not being taken to the cookie swap : )

Alpine Village & Santa

This afternoon we went to the Alpine Village at Trinity Baptist Church. We went last year and really enjoyed it so this year we invited some friends from our Reach Group. They have Santa, a puppet show, a living Nativity and village shops that the kids go in and make a craft, get candy, a cookie, a book and an ornament. The first thing we did when we got there was go see Santa. Abby went right to Santa and told him what she wanted. A Sleeping Beauty doll with Fairy Godmothers, a magic wand, and a walking horse, (all in one breath).


Allie froze up when she saw Santa, she finally warmed up and told him want she wanted, A Sleeping Beauty doll, fair Godmothers, a magic wand and a walking horse. :)


After we saw Santa

Listening to the Alpine Village horn players

Playing in the snow

making an angel ornament

Dinner afterwards at McAlisters. Most of the kids were draw to Laural and Rachel's table. I think it was the iPhone they were playing with :) Allie told me she wanted to play the pop the bubble game as we were leaving. I asked her what that was and she said on the phone.

Christmas Dresses 2008

I made these this week for the girls. Abby keeps asking me if they are to wear to Granny's for Christmas. I told her yes, but we can wear them before then.

before church this morning.

Ketchup & Mustard

This is a car in our neighborhood. I am not sure what the people were thinking. We have nicknamed it the ketchup and mustard car.

Women's Christmas Dinner

I was honored to be asked by my good friend Kimmer to attend the Women's Ministry Christmas Dinner for First Evan Christian Church tonight held at the Memphis Hilton. Kimmer did a great job on her centerpiece, nutcrackers and the entertain was wonderful. Thank you Kimmer for asking me to come as your guest!!!


Me, Allison and Kimmer







Memphis Boys Choir with the members of the Memphis Chamber Choir

Christmas Picture

Sunday I talked Raymond into coordinating with me and the girls for a picture. Here are a few of them. (Thank you Louise for taking the outdoor pictures.) I think I have found a color scheme for our church directory picture that we will take in Jan. :)

taken at home before church