Christmas Morning

So I'll be honest, our Christmas morning was crazy good & we were all spoiled....but I was the most spoiled (& surprised of all). 

Santa came & everything was ready to go! 

Calm before the storm.

Emma's big gift was an American Girl Doll which looks like her.  She named her Izzy. 

Henry got a few Mickey things...he's his fave. 

I look horrible, but this proves I was there, LOL. 

Henry opening his Little People Zoo toy...his big gift was actually a Family Zoo Membership...so this kind of went along with it. 

David's big gift was plane tickets to go see his best friend in North Dakota after New Year's....he got a few things like clothes, etc too.

I was surprised with a few fun things from my list like a new fancy camera that I love so much!!

Then Christmas Morning was over & we got showered, dressed, & David packed up the car to go up to my parents' in Marietta.

David knew I planned to check out my new camera during the 1:15 drive to my parents, so it surprised me when he asked if I wanted to drive......of course not.  

Well, we went out to the car...but we didn't get into the car in the garage, he went outside to the driveway.....and parked in the driveway was MY NEW CAR!!!!!!!!! (This picture was taken later)...

So a little back story...remember the car accident me & the kids had a couple weeks before Christmas? David had been secretly talking to a car dealership in Maryland about getting a new plug-in Prius (the accident was in our 2008 Prius which was silver) & had actually signed the paperwork on the new car just hours before I called to tell him about the car accident...LOL.  Anyway, with the mess from the insurance companies (due to an uninsured driver hitting my car...) & lots of issues with rental cars & new car seats for the kids, etc this car in the driveway was a total shock.  I had no idea he bought a new car...we had talked about it a little & I pretty much told him whatever he wanted to do, but I had no idea he bought one...and with the car accident I figured that had all taken a back burner.  

So yeah, he had the car taken by car carrier from Maryland to Covington, had it delivered in the Walmart parking lot (LOL)....and then hid it at our co-worker's house about 5 miles away for a few days.  Then our friend dropped it off at our house on Christmas Eve around 10 pm.  So when I came out to get in the car he'd packed up on Christmas morning, it was a total shock & yes, there were tears! Oh, but he didn't put a bow on it, I guess that only happens in movies LOL.  

I should also add that he ordered the kids both new carseats from Amazon & had those installed in the new car too, so we were finally all set.  

Henry liked the new car....and so did I :) 

(To finish out the car story, once the 2008 Prius was repaired from the car accident, we eventually sold it like he'd planned to do in the first place.) 

Megan

Christmas Eve

Okay, so this next picture is technically the night before Christmas Eve....Henry passed out, he had played so hard, & had his animals all around him.  I just had to laugh. (Yes, that's Minnie Mouse...it's Sister's).

Anyway, we were home on Christmas Eve & spent the day together.  Grandma & Grandpa sent the kids' big present over early so we wouldn't have to bring it home later when we had Christmas with them.  I figured it wouldn't hurt to open it early since Christmas day would be kind of crazy.

We started sibling gifts this year...although technically they worked a little differently than I planned & will do in the future.

And while we opened sibling gifts, Daddy put together their gift from his parents...a double stroller!!! Emma has decided now that Henry gets to ride that she actually needs to ride too, so problem solved. We've really been enjoying it, it definitely helps when I take both kids some place on my own (like the zoo). 

That afternoon we rested at home.  During Henry's nap Emma & I watched an old Christmas movie on Netflix.  It was nice.

We went to church for a candle light service...where David kicked Henry (& me) out for being disruptive....so Henry & I went to sit in the car, where he promptly fell asleep.  Then we went home, ate hot dogs & homemade mac & cheese from the crock pot, took quick baths, & then went to look at Christmas lights while drinking hot chocolate & listening to Christmas Carols, of course :)  (I should mention that we went a couple times to look at lights & both kids liked it a lot.  Henry was so cute because he would say WOW! WOW! when he saw something he liked.) 

So when we got home from Christmas lights, we set out cookies & milk for Santa & carrots for his reindeer.  

Then we read two books, the Night Before Christmas & Listen to the Silent Night about Jesus' birth day.

A picture of our tree :) 

Once the kids were in bed, a couple elves had to get busy for the big day ahead!!


Megan

Christmas with Atchie & family

We call my mom's best friend since middle school Atchie (Her name is actually Allison). Anyway, we are super close to her & my kids think of her as an extra grandparent! 

She always spoils us...but especially at Christmas.  For Christmas this year we went & had Mexican for dinner where both her sons work (they had to work & miss the actual party)...it was yummy for sure.

Then we went back to my parents & opened way too many gifts.  

Henry helping Papa

Atchie's step daughter Victoria & soon to be son in law, Tony.

My brother Cory & sister in law Courtney

Atchie's step daughter Ashley & Atchie

Emma modeling a new outfit 

Atchie & Henry playing with the magna doodle

Nanny, Em, & Papa

We had a great night spending time with them - and were spoiled rotten!

Megan

Getting Emma's Ears Pierced!

Emma has been asking to get her ears pierced for a while....and since she's a little older now & can be trusted a little more, I thought it was a pretty good time.  I found a place in the Square next to her dance studio & Scoops that does it.  

I made plans one Friday after school to run over there & let her get them done as a surprise! 

Before...

After!  She did great & didn't cry a drop! I can't believe how brave this big girl is, seriously!

To celebrate, we went & got ice cream at Scoops, of course! :) 

Little man was there too....he enjoyed the ice cream! 

Quick note - this actually occurred the day of the horrible school shooting in Connecticut.  I had planned to get her ears pierced that day a few days before.  My heart was so heavy that day, I strongly considered putting it off but I'm glad I didn't.  We needed a good memory from that day...a day just being a kid & celebrating the ordinary.  We need to remember to focus on the little things & little moments with our kids.  None of us are promised tomorrow.  I sure am crazy about these two. 

Megan

Pre-K Christmas Program & Christmas PJ Party!

Emma's school did a Pre-K Christmas Program that they worked really hard on. 

They sang carols & did all the hand motions.  It was very cute!

Henry loved it, of course :) 

They also had a Polar Express Day before Christmas break & everyone wore their PJs to school. 

We got to play a little while with all of Emma's friends, then we got to slip out early to start our Christmas Break!!!

Megan

December Fun!

We had a busy December with lots of fun!!! 

Mrs Jamie came over to play & eat dinner with us one night! 

The kids playing with an advent calendar I bought...it was fun for about a day....then I threw it away...luckily it only cost a dollar...lol 

We went to Tuba Christmas this year in Porterdale.  A friend David works with knows people who perform in it, so we decided to all go.  David played the tuba in Middle & High School, so he likes to go hear them play. 

This picture really just makes me laugh...

There were all different tubas.  They played Christmas Carols & the audience sang along.  It was fun, I think we'll do it for years to come. 

We got to dress up for David's Company Christmas Party, so of course I made sure we got a picture. Ha.  It was at the Atlanta Athletic Club. 

I just remembered...me & the kids were in a car accident that week (not my fault, but a car t-boned us on the driver's side luckily at a pretty slow speed. We were all okay, but I hit my head & had a bruise on my back & was sore everywhere...needless to say, I wasn't feeling great in this picture, but faked it! Lol) 

The kids & I made & decorated sugar cookies.  They seriously loved it. 

Emma honestly did a great job & loved doing different icings.  She took it very seriously. 

Of course the best part is eating them!!!!!!

We seriously made tons, but here's a few! 

More pictures to come of all our Christmas gatherings!

Megan