Christmas with the Hardesty's

After church on Christmas Eve we drove to my parents house and celebrated with them. We love living so close to family and feel so fortunate that we are able to. Hope you and yours had a joyous new year also! Let's eat folks!

Just woke from a nap- are you seriously going to take my picture!

John and Livy with my parents. Although he looks healthy here - John has had it hard this Christmas. Before Christmas he was diagnosed with Bronchitis and a sinus infection. he started to get better, but hen after 9 days of antibiotic everything came back. He went to the doctor today and now he has Walking Pneumonia!! So after 5 more prescriptions and another shot we are praying he is on the mend for good!

The much loved Uncle Ben.

Ethan is joyous over bakagun- the weirdest kid toy ever!

Christmas at Home

So... after a night of anticipation we celebrated Christmas at home on Christmas Eve morning. No one was more excited than Ethan...

Going for the stockings...

Now... where are my "real" presents...

Livy got this doll house...

Ethan got this Batman Castle/ Cave/ Tower thing...

This was BY FAR the biggest hit of the day. St. Nick could have saved himself the variety and gotten all three of my kids a Batman Castle

(even baby doll obsessed Olivia played with it all day).

Livy got her first real dress up outfit - she LOVES it and wanted to wear it out to brunch with John's parents.

After presents and general merriment we ate brunch with John's parents on Christmas Eve, came back to our house to play with new toys, went to Christmas Eve service at our church, and then on to my parents. A busy and fun Christmas Eve!

Waiting for St. Nicholas

St. Nick came to our house on the night of the 23rd.

He said it was fine because he had so much to do the following night- it was nice for him to get some kids scratched off the list early. Here is our house in anticipation of celebration... I think the anticipation is my favorite part of Christmas.

Going to see St. Nicholas

About a week before Christmas we got 6 inches of snow. As is the way in the South, everything got cancelled and rescheduled (to be fair - there was an inch of ice on top of all the snow and the roads were dangerous). "Everything" included church and Sunday School. So instead of another day at home we ventured out to see St. Nick. We debated if this was wise... although we do St. Nick we try hard to make the real focus about Christ and his coming. We heard about this one local guy and thought we would try it...

Anyway- St. Nicholas was awesome. He told the kids to sing his favorite song as soon as they came down the stairs- not to open presents or run to their stockings until they sang his favorite song... any guesses??? What do you think his favorite song is???

It's.... Happy Birthday, he told the kids to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus before they did anything else. And, to remember Jesus was more important than St. Nicholas (himself).

Awesome, Santa. Thanks for the help. Really, Ethan keeps talking about how you love Jesus and so does he. But one more favor to ask...

Now next year- can you PLEASE let us take our own picture of you with our camera- it really is unfair that we can only PURCHASE the high priced photo from the (grumpy) photographer. $17 for one 5X7 is really not a deal.

And, one more thing, what happened to the free candy canes you gave out when I was a kid. Is the disappearance of this classic sticky goodness a result of the bad economy or child - hood obesity?? Either way, please bring that back too!

So- there are no shots of our kids with the jolly old guy. But, don't think you would have gotten a great shot anyway- Livy did not want anything to do with him (but has talked about him a lot since).

So here are our cute kids waiting...

Waiting... we got there early and were the first in line.

Playing on the malls "rides".... just waiting.
No we didn't insert a quarter- but they still "rode" them and had fun!

Isaac has started this new thing with refusing to take off his coat. Odd, I know.

Merry Christmas with the Hoots

On Saturday, we celebrated early with the Hoots.

There was plenty of goodies, presents and snow! We are so thankful to live close to family and get to celebrate with them... see the fun for yourself below.

Waiting for the gift giving to begin.

Two grumpy boys and a thoughtful girl waiting...

Still waiting...

Isaac's favorite gift.

Olivia's favorite gift.

Ethan and Gavin's favorite gifts (guitars).

Grandma and Grandaddy with the five grandchildren.

After presents and stuffing ourselves we went out and romped in the snow. The boys loved it - but Livy was content just watching (she does not like to be dirty- the priss!)

Ethan samples the snow.

Trying to find a hill to sled on.

Ethan and Gavin wrestling in the snow.

Stopping at the neighbors "winter wonderland".

Thanks to the Hoots for a wonderful Christmas celebration.

Ethan's Prayers (and snow dance) are Answered

Merry Christmas, Ethan.

You have been praying and begging God for this... hope you enjoy your early present!

Mom and Dad like it too! Isaac and Livy can like it tomorrow - they are down for the night!