Family Movie Night

We started the tradition of a Family Movie Night during the Holidays last year. We bought The Nativity Story last year and vowed to spend a special evening together as a family watching it each year. We poped popcorn, made hot cocoa and had a palette on the floor. We all snuggled up and watched as Anna Grace narrated and explained every part before it happened (I cannot believe how much you remember from watching it once last year). This year, Anna Grace wanted to do it in her room. This was a great evening just hanging out together and taking a break from the rush of the season.

Home for the Holidays...

I just wanted to put a few pictures of what our house looks like at Christmas time so you girls will remember the fun we have decorating. Anna Grace, my favorite new decoration is the canvas you painted for our house of the manger scene. Mommy had to paint a canvas as a door prize at the ladies dinner and you insisted on painting too. I had no idea you would come out with such a priceless little work of art!

We enjoyed decorating our tree with holiday music and a warm fire in the background. Anna Grace, you were able to show me where each decoration went around the house as I took them out of the boxes. You remembered from last year how our house looked at Christmas. This made it all worth the while for me because it obvisiously meant a lot to you for you to remember a year later when you are at such a young age. It was fun to dress the mantle with one new little stocking this year! Also, I loved stashing little works of art from school any place I could find to display little handprints, etc. Of course, you girls loved putting up the trees in your rooms and I even let you be the first to plug them in this year. As we did on each of your first Christmases, we put up the tree Mommy had in her room growing up in Adelynn's nursery. It looks so sweet, pink and tiny...just like our new precious little angel!

Visions of Sugarplums...Holiday Baking

We have had a good time baking goodies for teachers and friends this year. We made chocolate dipped preztels and you girls loved adorning them with sprinkles. You also wanted to make the gingerbread cookies Mimi got for you. I tried to get you both to wear aprons but Ailee insisted on her princess dress and shoes that she wears around the house most everyday and Anna Grace is still in the gown she thinks looks like Mary from the Nativity Ballet. I tried a few new recipes for Christmas parties this year. My favorite was this cake that I made for our Sunday School party last weekend!

The Nativity Ballet...

Anna Grace, you and I had the most wonderful time together on Sunday at the Steps of Faith Nativity Ballet. This was your first "real" ballet experience and it was so awesome to watch you just amazed at every step the graceful ballerinas made. Most of all, I was so blessed to see you so interested in the true story of Christmas. When the little girl prayed and decided to give her heart to Jesus for Christmas, you wanted to know why I was crying. I was given the great opportunity to explain to you about the sinner's prayer and baptism. The way the story of Christmas was protrayed throughout this performance was spectacular. For anyone wanting a very special Christmas experience, you must see this next year (plus, Anna Grace will be dancing in i,t too!) You loved watching your teacher Ms. Anna play the role of Mary throughout the performance. While you sat in my lap with your eyes glued to the stage, I felt the true warmth of the season. I enjoyed spending this special day with you today, my sweet angel! It was a memory I will never let fade and it made my entire Christmas!

You not only danced your way through the entire intermission, you couldn't stop dancing for hours after we got home. You found a long, flowing dress like Mary wore and put on your ballet shoes. You searched for the Nativity DVD from last year and began trying to copy the steps from Mary's routines. After watching it through 2 full times, I finally was able to tuck you into bed. You just kept talking about how you wanted to Mary one day in the ballet. I was on a complete high all day just watching your love for ballet explode from your graceful little arms and pointed little toes! You are definitely Mommy's dream come true, little princess.

Thank you, Jesus, for the wonderful Christmas gift you blessed me with today as I spent time with my first born daughter! May the story of Your birth continue to flood my thoughts the remainder of this special season and the gift of Your life be evident in me throughout this new year.

"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" Luke 2:14

Dokey's Christmas Gathering...

On Saturday, we traveled up to the mountains for Daddy's Granny's Christmas party. Daddy and I were really dreading the long drive in the rain with 3 young babies but it turned out to be a fun day. We had a good time at the party seeing family that we haven't seen in a few years and you girls got to play with cousins that you were too little to interact with in the past. After the party, we took you by the house Daddy and I lived in for a year right after we were married. It brought back many memories for us and we just reminisced about the young and in love days before you little ones were born. The memories of laying in our bedroom warm under the covers on Friday nights waiting on Daddy to get home from coaching his football games came rushing back. We also thought of our old friends from Habersham. Quickly, I remembered the Christmas Daddy asked me to marry him. He took me to a wonderful dinner in Atlanta and then to the Nutcracker downtown. I will never forget that wonderful Christmas when Daddy surprised me with the best present ever...him! What a long way we have come in just 8 short years. I have absolutely loved every minute of it!!!

Uncle Josh with Adelynn

Surprise...We are going on the Polar Express!

SURPRISE!

When Daddy got home from work today, we had a BIG surprise for you girls! (We copied the idea from Uncle Matt Matt and Aunt Beth) We got you girls dressed in your pajamas and had you crawl up in Daddy's lap for a reading of one of your favorite Christmas stories. Then, we told you we were invited to go ride on the Polar Express train to the North Pole! You both were so excited and we had so much fun! Ailee, you just kept giggling and putting your little hands over your mouth in excitement. Anna Grace, you were engrossed by all the theatrics of the evening. Of course, you both were overjoyed when Santa boarded the train and sat down for a little chat and gave you the special bell from the reindeers harness. What a fun evening together as a family!

School Christmas Celebrations...

We spent Friday morning enjoying the preschool Singing around the Tree program where Anna Grace sang so beautifully. You couldn't stand still while singing. You bounced and danced to the beat of each song, even Away in a Manger. I think it is just a sign of your natural ability and enjoyment of dance! Of course, Mommy couldn't be more proud. I was in charge of Ailee's party so this was a little hectic. I made Mimi's special sugar cookies into reindeer the night before and the party held the candyland theme. Party planning is a favorite hobby of mine so this was a lot of fun for me even in the midst of the busy holiday season.

Jingle Bells, Shiny NAILS!

All three of you were so incredibly sweet today while we ran around from shop to shop finishing up our last minute gifts that we decided to end the day with a treat for just us girls! We went to the nail salon to get our nails done and I had no idea have fun this would actually be. Ailee, you just made me smile the entire time! You continuely reassured me as I sat down at the spa chair, "It will not hurt, Mom!" I secretly knew this is because you were trying to convince yourself not to be afraid. Last time we tried a spa day together, you chicken out as soon as the man came near you with the polish bottle. However, this time you were just darling! You kept looking back at me from the big chair while lifting up your shoulders, leaning your head to one side and grinning from ear to ear! You finished up and ran straight to me and yelled, "I love you, Mom!" Of course, this made my day. Adelynn, you slept soundly in my lap the entire time and, Anna Grace, you just soaked in the moment pretending to be so big. Thanks for such a fun time in the midst of a hectic day!

Eyes of Wonder...

We have been so very busy enjoying the season and having a blast seeing the magic through the eyes of our precious babies. I have so much to journal about but haven't had the time to just sit down and write. I quickly wanted to share these beautiful blue eyes of wonder that haved helped make our holidays a little more spectacular this year!

A Very Cubbie Christmas: Awana Program

Last night we were greatly entertained by the Awana Program at church. It was fun to see Ailee on stage for the first time. You were a bit more shy than I imagined but you were very well behaved and sang just perfectly. Anna Grace, you have definitely come out of your shell since last year. I was so proud of how you stood up on stage and actually "performed." You smiled, sang loudly, did all the motions, and bounced to the beat of the music. I just couldn't help but sharing the precious photo of sweet Caroline in the collage. I love how she and her Daddy are snuggling and giggling together as if they are sharing in their own little secret joke!

"Go Where I Send Thee" Performance

You had your Christmas ballet performance today. I was a little disappointed that the studio decided not to do the big Christmas recital that they have done in the past but Daddy and I still enjoyed you dancing for us. You are in a ballet/tap class this year and you tapped to "Go where I send Thee" and, of course, you were excellent. Mommy loves to watch you dance!

Bright eyes and a sweet smile...two of my favorite things about you, precious peanut!

Christmas Memories...

We had fun at the England Christmas party last Sunday and you girls were very surprised when Santa's Elf showed up with some presents. I love the expressions on both your faces. It is like you are holding in the excitement of Christmas time that wants to come busting out!

Another one of my favorite photos from this holiday season, is this one of Anna Grace reading a story about the First Christmas to Adelynn by the tree. It was wonderful to sneak a peek of your retelling of this story from memory..."and an angel named Gabriel came to Mary and said a boy will be born to you and his name will be Jesus!" I also loved how you added such expression to the story..."and suddenly." You are a great story teller and Adelynn was very interested in the Polar Express you retold from memory for her too.

Jingling Bells for those in need...

We had fun ringing bells and singing carols at Walmart this morning for our church. We rushed over there after eating with Santa. You girls were definitely in the Christmas spirit singing and wishing all the shoppers a Merry Christmas. I think you got a litte extra cash for the needy because of your cuteness and Ailee's version of We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New "Rear"!

A Visit with Santa...

We went to have Breakfast with Santa this morning at the Country Club. It was so fun for us to watch your excitement rise as we drove closer and closer to the club. Ailee was so afraid of Santa when we went last year and this year, Ailee, you could barely wait your turn. You rushed right up and jumped on his lap while Daddy and I were talking with friends and did not even know it was our turn yet. Anna Grace, you were your normal reserved but sweet self while waiting your turn to tell Santa your wishes. You both asked him for a princess bicycle with a baby seat on it for your dolls and you told him "Baby A" wanted a doll and some diapers. You were amazed how Santa knew your names and he spent such quality time talking and listening to your requests. .He made a request too... he wanted some chocolate cookies and milk by the tree and Ailee you told him you loved chocolate too. We caught it all on video and I cannot wait for you guys to watch it one day. How sweet these memories are to me!


Anna Grace chatting with Santa and Baby Adelynn wondering who in the world Mommy handed her to..."what is all this white fuzzy stuff on this big guy?"


Ailee and Santa giving goodbye snuggles until next year! (I love how your little hand is wrapped so tightly around Santa's thumb)

Anna Grace waiting patiencely while Ailee just jumps up and starts chatting... the normal around our house!

"Oh, Fill My Cup" Ladies Brunch

A quote I came across reminds me, "You cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop that makes it run over. So in a series of kindnesses, there is at last one which makes the heart run over."

Oh, Fill my Cup...Mommy decided to host a Ladies Brunch at our house while you big girls were at school on Friday morning. It was so much fun to hang out with the ladies from my morning bible study and other special women in our church family. I have missed this wonderful group of women while being at home adjusting to our new baby. I cannot wait until after the holidays to get into a new study and have my cup overflow again from moments shared with these amazing ladies. I am so glad that everyone came to share hot coffee and coco, warm food, and sweet friendship together on this chilly December morning.

The vessel of friendship can be filled by the smallest of gestures. A warm smile, an encouraging word, a token of thoughtfulness. And drop by drop, these acts of kindness fill the heart until it overflows. My Dear Lord, "Thank you so much for each of these women and all that they mean to me. I am so grateful you have crossed our paths and spilled my heart over with love for them and their families."

"Celebrate the Gift" Ladies Dinner...

Our church has a special ladies Christmas dinner each year to raise money and donations for the Women's Pregnancy Center in Cartersville. At this wonderful time of year, we celebrate not only the birth of our Savior but the birth of all precious babies in our community. I enjoy decorating 2 tables with Mimi's help. We combine our china and silverware to create one festive table and one funky table. Aunt Lynn came down for the second year to share this evening with us. Lots of mommy's friends were there and we decided next year our oldest daughters will be old enough to have a table of your very own to sit at and decorate...your fine china made from paper and your silver made from plastic! I know you little princesses would enjoy the evening as much as all of us mommies love getting decked out and spending the evening worshiping together.