Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Christmas Love

 A Christmas tradition in my family (for as long as I can remember) is to get together on Christmas Eve, exchange gifts, eat a lot and laugh a lot! It was always at my parents house when I was little - and the past two years, we have had it at our house. It is the same ole faces, though! I look forward to this night year after year.
 Another Christmas tradition that my grandmother (Mama Caro who passed away last year) started when I was little was matching pj's for the cousins on Christmas Eve! My mom took over this grandmotherly duty when our kids were born and it is so fun! Also, this year, Chad's mama, Ninny gave our boys matching pj's at Christmas too! SO FUN!
 I love pictures of my parents with their grandbabies!
Below...
Proof: Papaw's are sweet. Girls are sugar and spice. And boys are silly.
 Me and my man
 My Mama, sister, Daddy and me.
 Sisters. Caroline has gotten really into taking our picture together! I love it! She used to never want her picture made - who knows why?! She was Most Beautiful, after all!
Commentary of taking a family picture with a sugared up 3 and 5 year old:
Daddy: This is NOT happening. WHY are you making us do this???
Mama: Shut up and do it. Don't give up. You MUST hold tight and make him smile. Or else. 
CHEESE!
 And DONE. Thanks Dad for the ear to ear smile and the tickle monster skills.
 My mom will be mad at me for posting this picture, but I love it. She's purdy.
 We do a lot of this when we get together. My Daddy sure is a looker, ain't he?!
 Poppy and Becky (my sister's in-laws) cracking up (with Aunt Char on the edge).
 THIS is why they were laughing! This is the t-shirt that my mom got for Mr. Tommy. They have this funny little rivalry that started a LONG time ago giving eachother gag gifts on Christmas eve!
Nash got his very own cowbell from Aunt Char!

 And Camp got a new jersey and a cool MSU truck!

Christmas Even traditions...

Well, this isn't a tradition, but maybe it should be! Chad suprised me with a lovely t-shirt he designed all by himself at the mall! Can't you tell he is proud and I am in love?
My hearts!
 These are the "get this over with I am tired of pictures so I am going to be silly" smiles.
 Tradition: Cookies and milk for Santa. Not just any old cookies, mind you. My very special Christmas cookies. I used to make them every year for all of the family members (they got their own tin!), but the past couple of years (with two kids), I have only made the to share at special occasions over Christmas! And ofcourse, for Santa! (And Uncle Scott, who gets them especially for him for his birthday that is right after Christmas =)).
Tradition: Since Camp was born, we have always put out 'reindeer food'! We make sure to put it in a bowl for the reindeer to feed on instead of sprinkling it on the lawn =) Also, we give them some water! This year, our water was RED because of Rudolph's nose!!!

So this is Christmas...

The set up that Santa left...
The waiting to come out and see! Camp was a little tired of the pictures - already!
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EXCITED about the gator! Camp did mention right after this picture that this was not exactly the one he had hoped for, but he liked it anyway. Santa and Mrs. Claus felt a little injured after that comment =).
 The aftermath!
 It was freezing and a little rainy, but we had to try out the gator! Glad Santa got a reminder from a dear family member to charge the battery up on Christmas Eve!
 Our family tradition that we started when Camp was born... Singing Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas morning with a muffin (usually pumpkin).
Above is my parents and my aunt (Lele, Papaw and Aunt Char), watching our video of the boys on the gator on Christmas afternoon from Christmas morning. Nash bit the dust may have fallen off of the gator once =) But he got right back up!


Happy New Year 2011





On New Year's Day, we went to Ninny and Dee's to enjoy some family time! As you can see, Ninny and Andy tried really hard to get the boys to enjoy the fireworks... And for your viewing pleasure, here is a picture of my newest niece, MACY! Is she not the cutest?