Christmas Morning Magic...

Christmas time at Mimi's and Granddaddy's is like nothing else in this world. Family warms my heart more than I can explain. Times change, children grow, adults wrinkle :-) but in our sweet family one thing remains the same...traditions!! As we all have taken on new roles, it stills blesses me to know that Granny's Christmas traditions that began years ago when the first generation of cousins were babies still continues. I will always remember the nights tucked in the attic upstairs while falling asleep staring hard out of the little window to catch a glimpse of Ho Ho flying by. Now, you girls get to sleep in a beautiful "nest" up above the rest of the house. I know you all feel special up there with all Mimi's special decor! I love this shot of Danielle and all you little girls. You all seem to adore her and now that Josie is in the mix, making a trip to Mimi's always has to include hanging out with HopPop and Josie at least for a few minutes (and Kaleb too!)

Mimi does such an amazing job mixing gorgeous decorations and traditions together. I will always cherish the village of Carolers that represents each member of the family going all the way back to Gran and Pop.

Mimi and Big Unc

Always a hit...leaving goodies for Santa and the sprinkling the lawn for his reindeer!

Mimi and Granddaddy and their Fabulous Five! (I love the pics from year to year with Granddaddy waiting on the stairs with the girls to see what Santa left)

Ailee looks thrilled. Looks like little girls have been great this year.

Anna Grace got her new IPOD and American girl doll. Lots of other "big Girl" goodies too!

This year was full of many, many blessings and things I will cherish in my heart and mind for many years to come. I cannot believe how big my babies are getting but these stages are a blast too. I guess it is off to start ballet for the littlest A girl and middle A will begin lessons to "rock out" the show. While big girl A will continue with violin and her beautiful performances on stage as a ballerina. I am looking forward to an amazing 2012!

Thank you, Dear Lord, for your grace and all the blessings! May we shine your light throughout the year ahead and speak your truths to one another and to those in desperate need of your goodness.

Christmas around Atlanta...

We surprised you girls this year on the day before Christmas Eve. Daddy was off from work and our usual PreChristmas plans had changed around this year so we decided to take off on a little adventure and make a surprise day for you. We gave you all clues and made you guess where we were going on each stop around the big city. We ended up first on the Pink Pig. It was fun! Although, Daddy wasn't super impressed and you girls voted that due to the line, that it be an every 3-4 year sort of tradition:-) Then, we took ya'll to eat at Dante's Down the Hatch which is a fondue place that Daddy and I used to visit on our early anniversaries. It is like an old ship inside and their is even a real alligator inside. You all loved the restaurant, except the spooky bathroom. Anna Grace, you very much enjoyed cooking your chicken. Then, we finished up by meeting our dear friends and ice skating around Centennial Park. It was lots of fun and adelynn even did it too! Daddy sat out due to being scared of hurting his neck but he enjoyed snapping pics and laughing at us, I think. Oh yeah, I cannot forget the final spot. Ice cream and Coffee before we headed home to tuck you into bed for sweet Christmas Dreams. This was a super switch of plans and something we should do more oftern!

The Pink Pig ride...
Looking for the alligator under the bridge inside Dante's.

Gearing up for a fun skate.

The crew (minus Daddy)

Mommy's Beautiful little skaters!

Pre-Holiday Happenings...

This December has was really GREAT! I tried very hard to make it a little less stressful and busy. We cut out some of the little things that seem to add chaos and stress. It was wonderful! We had less activities, worried less about pleasing others and more about pleasing our little family. And, it paid off. We all snuggled a little longer, watch way too many Hallmark movies together just us girls in our PJ's (all day!), made some yummy treats, special gifts and much more. We kicked off December by heading up to Nashville to visit Daddy as he worked the first week of December. Mimi and Granddaddy went with us and it was super fun. You girls couldn't get enough of the sweet sweet Santa at the Gaylord and I think he had a thing for the three of you too as the sweet hugs in the pics show very well. We visited every inch of that hotel (at least 3 times HA). The month was so good that it is January and I am just now posting all of this. I think after 4 months of non stop selling MJC and being near a computer, Mommy needed a break! I traded the computer screen for the TV screen and warm snuggles under a blanket with my loves!

We watched the snow fall and played with the super adorable puppies as Daddy continued to work. I love the pic below of him in his work mode! I could tell how much he enjoyed showing you three angels off to all the people at the convention.

After the Rockettes, you all were fired up! I think that was your favorite part of the trip!

Another stop by to see Santa. I left off all the cuddling pics but I will put them in your albums. He was super sweet to each one of you girls! This is the very first place that Anna Grace ever visited Santa on her second Christmas. AG, you were barely 1 yr old and you scared poor Santa half to death with your blood curling scream. I think the whole hotel might have jumped a little once you hit his knee.

Then, we had to get back to reality and finish out the school performances, church shows, ballets, etc. First up, we have Adelynn's cubbie christmas performance. She decided to throw a little hip action into the jingle bell song.

Ailee, your little ballet performance was precious and brought tears to mommy's eyes when you all huddled around the manager at the end. You are following right behind AG and are on your way to be a beautiful ballerina!

Anna Grace, you have been so blessed each year in school to have such a precious group of good girls by your side. You and Katarina were instant best buddies in Kindergarten and having her in your class and challenge this year has made you bounce up each morning ready to head off to school. Love these sweet friends!

And, you had 2 very special performances this year. What a blast it was to see you get to show off your violin skills. I loved how poised and straight you stood while you played. You just have natural grace and it shows in all you do. (you even stood in your ballet first position during violin, it tickled Mommy and made me smile!) I must say, I know I am bias but you looked like a pro up there for your first recital!

Then, for my FAVORITE of all time Christmas events. The Nativity! I look so forward to this weekend every year and the minute the stations start to play Christmas songs, I can't wait for tunes from this show to play in our car. We all bust into our own sitting down versions of ballet routines from our car seats! I know we look super silly to everyone near us but we very much enjoy it and the proof is that it continues until New's Years Day when the last nearby station stops playing songs! This event blesses the depths of my soul and reminds our entire family that Christmas is about the very first gift! and nothing more!

Sugarplum Birthday~The Nutcraker Land of Sweets!

Anna Grace you had an amazing 8th birthday! It was absolutely perfect for you and featured you as the Sugarplum Princess Ballerina. You love ballet and everything that it involves. So, you shined like the star you are for your special day with your friends. Here are a few highlights from your beautiful party. It was fun decorating with all of Mommy's and your Nutcrackers we have collected over the years.