Christmas Part Four - Tennessee with the Kilgores

On Tuesday morning (the 29th), we left Americus and drove to Townsend, TN to spend the rest of the week and New Years with the Kilgore clan. Gary and Beth rented a 4 bedroom house there that turned out to be just perfect in housing us all. We had plenty of room and everyone had their own space.

On Tuesday evening, we had our family Christmas celebration, complete with a crazy gift exchange and a brisket dinner. I have no pictures of our gift exchange because it was mass chaos!!! As a matter of fact, I don't even know where our camera was! The kids had lots of fun and got some wonderful things. We ended up just letting the kids open their gifts and then we put the three little girls to bed. Then, the adults opened their gifts.

Here are a few pictures from the week. Most of them involve the kids playing. Chloe had so much fun playing with her cousins, especially Alia (since they are only 7 weeks apart). And Claire loved running after Chloe and Alia! I loved watching all of the girls be together.....these times for these 5 girls are not as often as I would like, so I was grateful for these 4 days together.

These were my "helpers".....I was trying to unpack! (The lighting is terrible in this picture!)

Santa brought Linnea and Makenna Band Hero for their Wii. Everyone enjoyed it and took their turn on either the drums, guitar, or singing. In the next couple of pictures, they were having a "kid concert"....at least that's what Chloe said.

Chloe's favorite part was the microphone. I'm convinced that she would have sang in that thing for days! She was usually either singing "Away In a Manger" or making up her own praise and worship song! I thought that this picture really captured the moment!

The three little girls! Aren't they just precious?

Apparently, Grandpa got caught up in a game of "Ring Around the Rosies" with Chloe and Alia. I don't know where I was at this point, but you can tell that Kevin grabbed the camera real quick to try and capture the game (his feet are in the last picture!). And with all of the motion in the pictures, they are kind of blurry. However, I thought it was too good not to post. In this collage, you can see the progression of the game.

We all had such a great time! Good memories were made and great fellowship was shared. My family of four will look forward to the next time that we can all be together!

Christmas Part Three - Reesie and Papa's

On Saturday (the 26th), we left Tifton right after lunch and headed to Americus to spend a few days with the McNeill clan at Reesie and Papa's. Everyone was there together on Saturday and Sunday, and we had so much fun! It's not often that we all gather at Mom and Dad's house at the same time anymore. As crazy and chaotic as it can get, I just love when it happens that we can all be together.

On Saturday evening, we had our family Christmas. This included our huge gift exchange and grilled steaks for dinner.....yummy!

Here is Chloe showing off her new apron and "splat mat" for her easel that Gran gave her.



Aunt Meg and Uncle Chuck hooked the girls up with sleeping bags.....they were a HUGE hit! Chloe ended up sleeping in that sleeping bag for the next 7 nights!



Chloe got a tricycle from Reesie and Papa.....we are waiting on the weather to get a little warmer and then we're going to put some miles on that thing!

She also got a camera from Reesie and Papa....a real, working digital camera for kids. She loved it! We realized on Monday afternoon that there were already about 180 pictures on the camera that she had taken!!!

I'm pretty sure that the picture below has just become my favorite of the holiday season......I have no idea what was transpiring in that moment. However, if I did, I'm not sure the picture would need an explanation!

Claire modeling her new smocked Bulldawg dress from Jess and Bee.

Chloe and Aunt Meg snuggled up for a moment.


Lots of precious memories were scripted in those few days as my children got to spend time with their grandparents, aunts, and uncles. These are the days that we'll remember!

Christmas Part Two - Christmas Morning

This year was the first year that we have celebrated Christmas morning at our house. It was so much fun and there was much anticipation as we awaited Santa's arrival! With the girls being older and understanding more and more, we were so thankful to have Christmas day at our house and be able to be at home all day long!

"Look sissy!"



Our sweet little bedhead loved opening her presents!



Here is Chloe with two of the things that she had asked Santa to bring her....a jump rope and "biloculars"....go figure!

Santa even left the girls a note, thanking them for the cookies!

Christmas Part One - Everyone's Taken Care Of

Cookies for Santa...



and food for the reindeer!



Here are a few pictures of Chloe making cookies for Santa...such fun memories!

Stay tuned.....more to come...

Santa Baby

We went to visit Santa this weekend at the Mall of Georgia. We were up that way after having attended part of Jess' graduation for his Master's Degree on Friday. I must admit that I was shocked at how our girls reacted to Santa. I was sure that Chloe would "chicken out" when she got close to Santa.......but she didn't! She walked right up to him and got in his lap. After they took their picture, she proceeded to tell Santa exactly what she wanted for Christmas (a jump rope, a dollhouse, binoculars, and an easel) and then she asked Santa to please wrap it in princess wrapping paper! What a fun memory!

Ring, Ring, Ring the Bells (Preschool Cristmas Party)

"Ring, ring, ring the bells
Ring them loud and clear
To tell the children everywhere
That Christmastime is here!"

This is the little song that Chloe learned at school and has been singing for a couple of weeks now. It is to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." I have to stop right here and tell you a little story......a couple of weeks ago, we were in the van riding to church and Chloe was singing this little Christmas song. All of a sudden, she got quiet for a couple of minutes. And then, I heard her singing, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat".......I about came out of my seat! I could not believe that she had figured out that the two songs were the same tune. My girl has got an ear for music! I'm interested to see what will happen over the next few years.

Back to the party.........Chloe and her classmates sang this sweet little song, along with Happy Birthday to Jesus, to begin their Christmas party at school. Chloe did a great job singing...it's one of her favorite things to do! Oh....in case you are wondering, the kids are holding jingle bells that they "jangled" while they sang.

Then of course, there were cupcakes, cookies, cheese puffs, and juice boxes. Could a preschool party really happen without these four things?

Towards the end, the natives were getting restless and Daddy seemed to be the best entertainment. They read quite a few books in those last few minutes as they hung out on the rug by the bookshelf. This is Caroline, Kevin, and Chloe.

Christmastime is here......are you ready?

Cute Teacher Gifts

I first saw this idea on another blog that I read, Prayer of Hannah. I thought that it was a really cute idea for teachers. I decided to make these frames for Chloe's preschool teachers, Mrs. Kristian and Mrs. Dawn.

First, I used Publisher to print off this template on white cardstock.



Then, I had my "strong-armed man" start cutting crayons into 1/2 inch pieces. (We also used some bigger pieces so that each frame would have a crayon with the label on it.)

Then, I used hot glue to glue the crayons to the template.

And after some piecing together and teamwork.....here are the finished products!

Some lessons learned:
1. It would have been a better idea to use a 5x7 frame or larger......I used 4x6 frames and they were too small for the project. I would have liked to be able to cut the crayons in larger pieces.
2. I think that if I ever use this idea again, I will print the teachers' names across the top of the frame.....there seemed to be some confusion as they opened their gifts today.
3. Buy a smaller box of crayons....definately didn't use 48!

Overall, this turned out to be a cute and creative gift. I bought the frames at Dollar Tree and the box of crayons at Wal-Mart. Each gift ended up costing about $3 or less.

While we wait on Christmas.....

We dress up and pretend to be princesses....

We sit around eating and looking oh so cute....

And we load and unload the dishwasher......sigh....

I think the chipmunks said it best....

"Christmas, Christmas time is near
Time for toys and time for cheer
We've been good, but we can't last
Hurry Christmas, hurry fast!"

O Christmas Tree

This afternoon, Chloe and I made Rice Krispie treats in the shape of a Christmas tree. We had so much fun! I melted the butter and marshmellows and then added green food coloring before adding the Rice Krispies. Once we made the tree, she decorated it with red and green M&Ms as the ornaments! Too cute!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

This is just a taste of the Christmas cheer around our house. Christmas with little children is so much fun! This is the first year that we will be at our house on Christmas morning. I am getting really excited! It's really the first year that Chloe understands the holiday season and all the things that go with it. As the excitement and anticipation within me increase, I am finding that my sense of responsibility also increases. I find myself pondering my role as a parent, and wondering if I'm taking advantage of all of the opportunites that the Christmas season affords to teach my children about Jesus.....the real reason for the season. Am I making room for all of the magical moments of Christmas......or am I letting our schedule rule my time? I'm praying that in the next couple of weeks, I will be creative and consistent in the ways that I share the joy of Christmas in our home. I want my family to welcome 2010 with attitudes of gratitude and hearts full of joy as we reflect on all that Christ has done for us!

We Three Kings

Well, at our house, the wise men ride a yellow school bus! That's right, their travels to see baby Jesus have gotten more efficient.......they now have wheels!

We love Fisher Price Little People toys at our house. This weekend, as I was cleaning up, this is where I found the wisemen from our Nativity set......they were catching a ride in the school bus! I couldn't help but chuckle and grab the camera. I'm not sure who did this (Chloe or Claire), but nonetheless, it made me smile!

Merry Christmas!