One Last Christmas Post...

So before I update everyone on our current circumstances... one last post on Christmas. We spent Christmas morning with my parents. It was a quiet, peaceful, cold day. We had stockings, gifts, good food (including striped jello) and we relaxed. It was nice. I barely took any shots- but here are a few to prove we were there!

O Christmas Tree.

Waiting for Granddad so the gift giving can begin.

Excited about stockings.

Excited about his new present... has come in handy in our new circumstances.

Christmas at Home

We celebrate Christmas at our house on the morning of Christmas Eve. The kids think it's awesome that they get to celebrate a day before everyone else! (And again at my parents on Christmas morning).

The good stuff.

My favorite part - the stockings!

Hoots' Family Christmas!

We had a fun celebration with the Hoots on the 23rd.

The five grandkids.

Gavin, Ethan, Isaac, Liam and Olivia.

Olivia's favorite gift was "Paige"- her new doll.

Isaac's favorite gift was a remote control car.

Ethan's favorite gift was also a remote control car. (I know you can't actually see it!).

Thanks to the Hoots for a great day!

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas!

The Monday before Christmas we braved our way through the lines at the mall to sit on St. Nick's lap. The kids happily waited over an hour. Seriously, they did great, they were determined to see the big guy!

Waiting to see St. Nick.

FYI - the fourth kid is a statue- the kids wanted to take their picture with him.

Seeing and talking to him! They were so excited they forgot to say what they wanted. He had to call them back to him to ask!

Class Project and Class Party

After the Holiday Musical, I stayed in Ethan's class to host the class Christmas Party. While I was setting up the students were showing their group projects to the class and giving their speeches. It was a treat to get to eavesdrop on his "normal" day.

Ethan's group had Kwanzaa - which he researched at home and then wrote a speech (3 sentences) about.

Here is the group poster.

Here he is giving his speech. He was very confident and poised. (His (awesome) teacher is holding a microphone for him to talk into).

After the class projects we had a party!

First, we had a pizza lunch (with apples - and none of the kids ate the apples- but one kid did eat 5 slices of pizza. Yep, 5.)

After pizza we decorated Gingerbread houses. It was a sticky, tasty, and fun hit!

Above is Ethan with some buddies.

Below is how Ethan wants to pose in every picture!

Ethan's Singing Debut

The entire First Grade at Ethan's Elementary School performed in a Christmas Musical called "Holidays Around the World". He DID NOT want a speaking part and asked to be in the back row (he is shy like his mother ;).

The twins waiting for the show to start.

Can you find Ethan? He is looking right at the camera...

The kids are pulling out their jingle bell necklaces at the end for the grand finale- Ethan's favorite part!

Quick Trip to Ohio

Have I told you I have an awesome grandmother?

Well, I do. I love her a lot. And, we have started a new tradition for her (3 years running). Each December for her birthday we take a girls weekend and drive up to see her. My mom, my sister, my cousin, Livy and I make the annual trip. Sadly I barely got my camera out- but here are a few pics to prove we were there!

Here is Livy licking the spoon clean! One of our favorite Ohio traditions... sweets!

Probably Livy's favorite part of the trip - my cousin's kids came over to play. She had a blast - especially getting their full attention (with no brothers for competition!).

Four adorable kiddos from the Tangeman line!

Getting that Christmas Card Photo...

During our "Christmas Card Shoot" I let me kids acts like kids for a few minutes.

I won't send this out in the mail - but I will post it here.

You can see who my kids really are and their true nature.

I am going to get Christmas cards out this year... I am just a little behind. So, if you are wondering, I have not forgotten you. I am just too busy this month!

Hoots' Christmas Party

For the past 10 years we have been blessed to throw an annual Christmas Party.
We are so thankful for our awesome friends, and always love to have a night we can all get together. Our party was early this year (just 8 days after thanksgiving) because of so many other commitments this month. We had the best food, the best gifts (for the White Elephant Game), and the best turnout we have ever had. Enjoy a couple pics... (if anyone else has any- I would love more- email them to me).

Our home, ready to entertain.

This year I did a couple new things... first I set up mason jar luminaries. Simple clear jars with sand a tea light. The effect was awesome on a cold night.

I also made this cake for the first time. Peppermint Red Velvet Cake. Recipe here. It was delicious. I will definitely do it again.

All but one luminary stayed lit all night!
Waiting to say Good-bye to our sweet friends.

Olivia's Christmas Debut

Last Sunday, Olivia made her "dancing" debut in the Kernersville Christmas Parade.

It was a frigid day, but it was still fun. The grandparents and brothers were real troopers to wait 3 hours to see her for 5 seconds!

Ethan waiting... the hat cracks me up. It used to be my brother's hat. Either my grandmother or my great Aunt knitted it many years ago.

Twin brother waiting for sister.

Ballet is one of the first things the twins have done apart. Olivia was skeptical at first (because of this), but in the end they both love time away from each other!

Olivia's dance teacher and dance company.

You had to be 5 to "dance in the parade" so Livy rode in a truck and waved to everyone.

it was really cold, but she still had fun.

This picture makes it look more like it was my parade debut, than Olivia's.

(I just chaperoned. No dancing this time.)

She is in the pink coat next to me waving the pom pom.

My Elves

These three elves make everything at Christmas more fun!

Thanksgiving with the Hardestys

We celebrated Thanksgiving with my family the traditional way... a lot of food prep and waiting around for the turkey to finish! We had a big gathering this year - with all the Hardestys home plus my paternal grandparents and my cousin Nathan. It was a great four day get away!

It was a great surprise to see Uncle Ben (my brother). The kids did not know he was coming home and were thrilled to see him... he has been in Vermont until recently.

The kids table!

My sweet grandparents. So glad they could come.

The amazing turkey- I think the best one we have ever had.

A generation picture... four generations on one couch.