Ready for Santa

The note was Caleb's idea...I think it was pretty sweet. :)

Really funny story about those cookies...After we got the kids in bed, we heard a noise and Annie (Peepaw & Grandma Beth's dog) was happily licking the plate clean. Apparently she thought she deserved a plate of cookies! Oops. Lesson learned. And in our defense, Rhett is blind, so we are not used to having a dog in the house that could even find a plate of cookies!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we celebrated with extended family (just under 50 this year!) on my Mom's side. This year we got together at Uncle Kenny's and the kids had an absolute blast in his basement. They were so content that Creed & I actually got to spend time upstairs socializing- such a nice and relaxing treat. 

Baylee, Caleb, and Caroline took turns playing air hockey. There were some serious games. ;)

Precious Ella! 

Just like on Thanksgiving this year, when she got fussy I took her and she went right to sleep in my arms! 

This little kiddos

After dinner Luke got to pick from the dessert buffet table. He was SO happy that he was singing to himself.

After dinner I checked on Caleb and found him cuddled up on the couch playing games on Emma's phone.

 Before presents, we got a smile from them. You know, the smile and sit still for the picture and then you can open your present.

The "big" kids

After dinner we headed to Aunt Robin's to celebrate with Grandpa's side of the family. We didn't last too long, as the kids were sleepy, but there was still plenty of time to open presents and play with cousins.

I am so glad that we left when we did because on the way home I looked up in the sky and then told the boys, "Look, I see Santa's sleigh." (Creed may or may not have followed that with a You serious, Clark?) But, we all agreed that whatever we were looking at, it sure looked like his sleigh!

Meeting Baby Bennett

On Christmas Eve morning, I went over to Dana's house to meet the newest cousin, Bennett. He is simply the most beautiful baby that I have ever seen, with the fullest head of hair! I can't wait to get my hands on him again!

Bennett, 8 weeks old

Garrett, Matt, Nathan, Drew, and sweet baby Bennett 

(I am still the ONLY girl- hehe!)

And, I can't wait to take this same picture, but with both of my boys in it! They each had a little cough and some congestion so I didn't want them around baby B.

Christmas Eve Eve

On Monday evening we celebrated Christmas at Grandma and Grandaddy's house. We ate a huge meal (Grandaddy always makes the best flank steak on the grill!) and way too many of Grandma's cookies. The kids loved opening their presents and spent most of the evening playing with them. So thankful for our time with family!

Me: Luke, stand in front of the tree for a picture, please. Say cheese!

And this is what I get.

Luke sat and played with his new construction toys for an hour! He loves them.

Caleb was super excited about his new Millennium Falcon.

Caroline got a double jogging stroller for her dolls.

I couldn't resist...kids these days! ;)

Don't Break the Ice!

The Easy-Bake Oven

Last Saturday evening we celebrated Christmas with Grandmom and Grandpa, and sadly, I forgot to put my SD card in my camera so I didn't take many pictures. Regardless, it was a super-fun evening and we all enjoyed ourselves.

Caleb's highlight was his Easy-Bake Oven! He couldn't wait to try it out.

So...the next morning he whipped up a batch of chocolate chip cookies. 

Waiting patiently...

Well, they um...they didn't turn out quite as planned, which is why there isn't an "after" picture. Honestly, they looked really awful, but Caleb was still excited, so that's what matters. Hopefully next time we will have an "after" to share. :)

Betty the Elf

Caleb was SO excited when our elf, Betty, showed up on December 1st. He quickly explained the ropes to little brother, and made a big deal about not touching her. Thankfully, we found Betty up high, out of Luke's reach each day. 

I actually overhead a conversation that Caleb had with Betty on her first day at our house. It went something like this...Betty, Luke is my little brother. He is only two and he has been bad all year. 

On Christmas Eve, we made sure that we all said goodbye to Betty. I think Caleb said "Bye, Betty! I love you. See you next year!" at least ten times. So sweet. 

Some of Betty's hiding places...

 the pantry

on the mantle

on top of the fridge

in the fridge

under the tree 

(This was the only day that she was in arms' reach and thankfully, Luke left her alone.)

Party Time

Happy Christmas Break! 

We are so happy about having the next two weeks off!

This week both boys had their Christmas class parties, and thankfully, I was able to rearrange my normal work days so that I could attend both.

 Luke's party was Monday. They sang a few songs (Luke refused to stand with his friends and opted to lay his head down on the table during the performance), made a craft, and had a little snack. The candy canes were a hit.

When I arrived, Luke was busy driving cars on the table.

Luke loves his teacher, Ms. Amy and we are so incredibly thankful for her.

Luke and his friends (all boys on Mondays!)

I quickly understood why he had 12 glue sticks on his supply list...

His camera face...

On to Kindergarten...

Today was Caleb's class program and party. I was so impressed with their songs, memorized Bible verses, and cute little poems. 

Caleb and his table friends, Josiah, Jaxon, and Grace.

They played a super fun pop the balloon game in the carpet gym and the kids loved it. They had a blast chasing each other, trying to pop the other team's balloons (that were attached to their ankles)!

Ho Ho Ho

After telling Santa what they each wanted (Caleb asked for a Nintendo DS and Luke asked for a new bike) for Christmas, Caleb asked Santa where he parked the sleigh.

 

Luke then asked, "Where the manger?"  :)

Christmas with Friends

Sunday night we had our annual Christmas celebration with the Durst and Whitworth families at our house. It's always fun, and a little crazy, when these seven kiddos get together. It's amazing, though, how well they really do all get along. We are so thankful for such wonderful friends!

The "big" kid table

Jackson, Hayden, Madalyn, & Caleb

The "little" kid table, with Luke refusing to even look in my direction.

Harper, Kathryn, & Luke

 Now that they are old enough to all understand If you smile and look at the camera we can open presents, group shots are getting better! 

Caleb & Jackson

Caleb and Madalyn

(When I see this picture I immediately remember them as babies laying on a blanket on the floor...I can imagine it like it was yesterday.) 

Madalyn got right to work using her new craft supplies and made us a "thank you" card.

And Caleb got right to work on his new crazy Play Doh set.

Meanwhile, the other little ones were playing some games of Don't Break the Ice. I LOVE this picture. Apparently Jackson was telling Luke a thing or two... ;)