Jennifer's TN Shower

Jennifer had her first wedding shower while we were in TN for Christmas. Unfortunately, the morning of the shower a snow storm and iced roads prevented a few people from coming, but many were still able to be there and we all had fun! We were able to spend time with family and the shower made me even more excited for her wedding. It's getting closer!

Emily, Jennifer, Evan

Nancye and Julie

Jennifer, Evan, Marti

Dad, Nancye, Liz, Julie

Jan, Liz, Mom, Kaleigh, Dad

Kaleigh, Marti, Jeanie 

Kaleigh and Marti

Emily, Jennifer, Evan

Christmas at the Grandparents and TN

On actual Christmas Eve we spent the night at my parents then did a Christmas morning with the whole gang. How fun for the kids to be able to spend Christmas with all sets of family throughout the holiday!

Since I was feeling up for it we made the 5 hour trek to Tennessee. This year it was necessary to take 2 cars since we now have 3 kids and Even is a part of our family. Luckily, everyone was exhausted so the kids slept a good while on the drive up then did great the rest of the way. We only stopped once, for a potty break and to change Liam's diaper and give him a break from the carseat.

It was a good day :)

Liam experienced his first snow at 9 months old! When we were almost to TN, Kate mentioned we couldn't be there yet since it wasn't snowing. I don't even know how she remembers when it snowed there but she did and we sadly informed her that it doesn't always snow and wouldn't be this trip. Looks like we were wrong. Kate and Abby woke up the first morning to snow that was actually sticking. Even though it was freezing they had a blast playing outside. I had to take Liam out so he could experience the fun too. He loved it, even though it was freezing!

Christmas at Home

Santa came early to our house this year. The night before we decorated cookies for Santa and left out reindeer food and carrots. We spent some more time emphasizing the real meaning of Christmas and read the scriptures where it tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The kids opened their Christmas Eve gift then we read another Christmas book and sent the kids to bed. It's nice having kids who stay in their bed so they fell asleep before too late and since most of the presents had previously been wrapped set up wasn't too much work.

Christmas morning was so exciting. It was Liam's first Christmas!!! We love him so much! The girl's each got what they asked Santa for: a princess castle for Kate and a baby for Abby. Santa even brought a surprise gift of scooters for the girls. Those have been a huge hit. They ride their scooters all the time, mainly all around our downstairs. This officially convinced Jason that when Liam has learned to walk, on soft carpet, we need to put all hardwoods downstairs. The kids played all day with their new toys and each other. It was truly a wonderful Christmas!

Happy 1st Christmas Liam!

It's Christmas Time!

I couldn't have timed my chemo better for Christmas. I felt great all week, besides being a little tired. Kate is truly my child and has the same love for Christmas that I do. She was so excited when I started decorating and decided to decorate the girl's entire little tree by herself. Abby danced around to Christmas music while we worked :) The girl's really enjoyed all the Christmas movies and books we pulled out. I'm so glad they feel the same magic that I do during this holiday. They loved playing with the kid nativities too. We currently are missing most of the pieces but that's just because they were playing with them all over the house. We spent a couple of nights driving around looking at lights. Maybe another year we'll do a real light show, such as Lake Lanier, but neighborhoods and Hospital Parkway are more than enough for them now.

Santa did a lot of shopping online which was nice for me and helped cut down on the stress of being able to get out.

The weekend before my parent's friends did a gingerbread decorating party for the kids. They had the cutest houses pre made for the kids to decorate. Then they played with toys. Then Santa came! Kate only got close enough to get her snow globe, her favorite things in the world. Abby sat on his lap and told him all about her baby gift she was going to get. She didn't quite understand why he didn't give her a baby right there though. Kate, too smart for her own good, questioned why Santa asked her name since he should already know that....

Abby's Christmas Show

Abby goes to "pre-school" one day a week for a couple of hours with my Mom. This is her first year and her first Christmas show. She was so cute! She actually sang some of the songs. She also was the only kid who apparently got over it by the end and was laying on the stands and turning backwards :)

Some pre show pictures since I only took videos during her performance.

Kate's Christmas Show

Kate had her annual preschool Christmas program. We know how uncomfortable Kate gets performing in front of people but Jason, Jennifer, Abby, Liam,  and my parents all showed up to support her and cheer her on. She actually sang, quietly, some of the songs while we were watching her. I was so proud of her for trying! The did a song with bells and she did the entire thing too! This was a big moment for her :)

Kate's Thanksgiving

At Kate's preschool they do a Thanksgiving dinner for the pre-k kids. They made the cutest costumes and Kate stood up front very nicely while the other kids sang and dance :) Her teachers did say she loved to sing while they practiced!