Football on the Beach!

Christmastime is always the busiest time of the year for our family and this year was no exception. With so much packed into the last couple weeks of the year, we were hopping almost every day.

A few weeks before Christmas we went to visit my stepsister Wendy and her husband Jason in order to spend some quality, holiday time with them. While they only live a few hours away in Charleston, SC we were not going to see them on Christmas day this year:( So with a full agenda planned, we started our whirlwind weekend at Charleston's oldest Live Oak, the Angel Tree. The kids loved running and jumping over the branches and hiding in the all the nooks and crannies. While the adults, just marvelled at the sheer size and age (estimated around 1,500 years old) of such a massive tree.

Just a few short miles from the Angel Oak is the beach. The kids love the beach almost as much as Jeff and I, any time of the year. Noah had his ever present football with him ready for a quick toss.

While the boys played, Elijah worked on his new skill, sitting up!

Just don't blink:)

Another family favorite is the Festival of Lights. After an hour wait in traffic, those of us still awake were all anticipating a great drive through the lights and it did not disappoint. While I only posted a few pictures, I could have recreated the entire light show, seriously the ENTIRE thing...maybe twice:)

Each light display was sponsored by a local company and this was one of our favorites, sponsored by Weight Watchers.

Once back at the house, we exchanged gifts and got a good night's sleep.

Time to leave already, but not before a quick trip to the Battery for a walk and of course, more football.

Merry Christmas!

Calla and Bella's Christmas Tea

Last week we had our much anticipated Christmas Tea for our friends and neighbors. It involves all things girly: frilly dresses, fancy food and lots of giggly friends! Maybe that is why it is one of my favorite events of the year.

This year I asked Calla to help me decorate the table and left her in charge of the centerpiece. With the only instructions being that it had to fit on the cake plate, Calla came up with this adorable Pet Shop nativity!

Since I try and invite girls Calla and Bella's age, we easily split the group of 11 into two groups. Above were the younger girls, Bella, Paige, Darcy and Carolina and below were the older girls, Calla, Elizabeth, Olivia, Caroline, Claire, Anna, and Sophie.

We also did a fun craft, making our own I SPY ornaments by filling glass balls with fake snow and adding little trinkets to find.

Getting the snow in was by far the hardest part.

A little help never hurts.

Sophie showing off the finished ornament.

Sweet Little Ladies!

We had so much fun that later that same week we did the whole tea party again for our neighbors.

Above Bella, Lydia, Abigail and Aleathia get ready to start the festivities.

In this group of young ladies Calla is the youngest (except for Caroline). Arianna, Madyson, Calla, Caroline and Taylor all prim and proper before we serve tea.

Soon the craft starts and chaos breaks free!

The little brothers, Jonas and Nehemiah, came down to help "clean up" any cookies the girls may have left:)

Merry Christmas!!

O' Christmas Tree, O' Christmas Tree

This year we decided to do some fun tree pictures with our new camera. I love this high ISO trick, it makes the lights look so twinkly.

We also had some fun with tree light glasses. They look similar to 3D glasses but when you look at the Christmas lights, they look like something else. Our kids love getting them out every year.

Just the twinkling lights.

Now as snowmen.

How about Santa.

If you look hard at the tree above, you will see pizza and hamburger ornaments. This is our Scooby Doo tree!

O' Christmas Tree! O' Christmas Tree!

How richly God has decked thee!

O' Christmas Tree! O' Christmas Tree!

How richly God has decked thee!

Thou bidst us true and faithful be,

And trust in God unchangingly.

O' Christmas Tree! O' Christmas Tree!

How richly God has decked thee!

Our visit to Santa/Micah turns 4!

A few weeks ago we took the crew to Albemarle, where Grandma and Grandpa live, for their hometown Christmas celebration. Each year the kids make an ornament by swirling paint in a clear bulb. Once the paint is in you shake for maximum coverage, the shaking is the best part.

Then it was our turn to meet Santa. Calla and Noah were a bit big for Santa's lap, but still got to tell him their wish list.

Bella and Micah were picture perfect!

Nehemiah wanted nothing to do with this big red furry man and jumped off his lap immediately:)

Elijah was more relaxed and posed graciously for pictures.

Although hard to see, the town had a street full of snow with snow machines up on cherry pickers so the kids could run through it.

Once home, I got a few more shots with my littlest elf. He was just to cute not to!

The following Tuesday we celebrated Micah's 4th birthday. With his birthday so close to Thanksgiving we normally lump his cake and presents in with the holiday, however this year we celebrated on the actual day. After an arduous search, Micah finally settled on this decadent chocolate cake surrounded by 40 Kit Kats and topped with an entire bag of Reeces Pieces.

Happy Birthday to you.

Blow out the candles.

Ah yes, a busy week for sure:)