Christmas Day

Reindeer food on Christmas Eve to light the way

Christmas morning is spent at my dad's house and we had such a nice morning.

The stockings (created by my mom) were hung

Opening gifts is always fun!

Hugs between sisters...so sweet

New suitcases...all ready for a trip

Grandpa opens a present

 

Big Hugs for daddy

Enjoying their gifts together

 

Everyone wants in on the Bop It fun

 

We had a good day with our family. Great to be with one another and eat some super yummy food---oh, and the paninis rocked!!!!!

Our Christmas Eve in VB

On our way to Mary and Pratty's house on Christmas Eve...

Britt and Bestemor chatting on Christmas Eve

John, Kristina, and Pat

 John and Sofia

 

Kaden wearing the hat

 

Lily gives granddaddy a backrub

Krissy reading to Kaden and Shelly

Everybody ready for the food

 

The Pratt Christmas Tree

 

Uncle Pat and Shelly snuggling

Sisters in silhouette

Sofia in the hat

The Family

Tomorrow...the photos from Christmas Day!

A Year of Change

What a year---here is our 2009.

Shelly turns 5

Celebrating Valentine's Day at the cafeteria

My amazing mother (photo from 1984) passes away unexpectedly

We spend Easter with our family in Virginia Beach

Lily turns 9

Silly girls in Charleston

Our family in Virginia Beach

Off to Kindergarten

Lily's first horseback riding show

 Halloween

My girls---they get me through some of my darkest days

In Virginia Beach for the holidays

Happy

Christmas Time

When I think of Christmas time I think of my mom. My mother loved the holidays. She loved decorating for it, she loved making crafts, she loved picking out the perfect gifts for people, and she loved wrapping them with all of her special touches.  Now, as a mom myself, I understand why it was all so special to her. It was a time when her family came together to celebrate and enjoy one another. Every day since March I have missed my mother. But, as Christmas approaches I have thought of her more and more. I miss her enthusiasm for my children at this time of year and I miss her love for all of us. As always, I am so thankful for my family and the love we share. 

  
Today, I hope that my mother is sitting in a comfy chair knitting something special for Jesus while Mini, our cat, and Lucy, our dog lie at her feet keeping her company. And I hope that she can see us all and knows how much we love and miss her.

Gym Day

 

Last week the girls had Parents Day in their gymnastics classes. John and I both attended and it was so fun to see what they do each week. Their teachers are just the best and we are so impressed with all that they have learned since August. Fun, fun, fun place for our girls to learn and grow as healthy young ladies.

Paper Gingerbread Houses

Another advent calendar idea came from this super cute download from Etsy. It is a paper version of a gingerbread house that you put together. The girls had a little trouble with some of the cutting and did okay on the folding. I loved the final product. Thought it looked so whimsical and cute. And an interesting alternative to the original gingerbread house activity (although we may still do that, as well). I enjoyed their fun little vignettes that they created.

NC Snow Video

Snow Crazy

So yesterday the girls had a half day of school with an early release at 12:45. About 10 minutes before we left for the bus, they called to say they would be dismissing school at 10:00. So, off the children went to school for a 2 hour day!

Why all of this excitement to let the kids out early????? Why, snow, of course!!! At about 1:00 the flakes began to fly and the snow came fast and hard. By the time we left for the neighborhood cookie decorating party the snow was everywhere! After lots of cookie fun the kids all began to beg to go outside.

Lots of children gathering their gear for the big snow adventure.


So, without proper snow gear we let them at it. And boy did they all (about 15 children) have fun!!! It was so fun to watch them from inside our friends' house while sipping a cosmopolitan!








Today the snow fun continued. The girls bundled up in appropriate clothes and we headed outside. You might remember some of these winter clothes. When you live in the south you don't invest much money in new snow bibs or boots. So, these clothes are a repeat of years past, but with shorter pant legs...oh well.





Shelly in my parka. This parka was purchased for me when we lived in Kodiak, Alaska. At the same age (5) I was wearing this adorable fur coat. Loved seeing her in it.



The girls had tons of fun on the sled being pulled behind the golf cart. We made a snow man and did some sledding down our little hill. When it was all finished, they gathered round for some hot chocolate outside by the pool.










It was the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit and kick off the Christmas break.