Cookies for Santa Party

We hosted our first Cookies for Santa party this year.  Unfortunately, Carter was sick.  We took him to the pediatrician and he thought it would be best if he wasn't at the party.  So, Matt took him on a little boy's adventure while Ella Catherine and our friends made cookies for Santa.  The kids had a great time cutting out and decorating their cookies.  They each had their own cookie sheet to put them on so they didn't get mixed up.  While the cookies were in the oven, I had some gingerbread men cookies they could decorate (Courtesy of Mimi).  It was a great afternoon with great friends. We hope to make this an annual tradition.

 Cutting out cookies

 Kailey's cookies

 Shaun's cookies

 Libby's/Katie's cookies

 Libby helped Ella Catherine decorate her cookies

 Gingerbread men

 mmmm gingerbread cookie

Christmas Round 2/ Nana and Pop's visit

    Nana and Pop came up for the weekend to celebrate Christmas with us.  As always we had a fun weekend.  Saturday, Nana helped me take the kids to see Santa (see below post) and then Saturday night Nana and Pop babysat while we went to a neighborhood tacky Christmas sweater party.  I didn't get any pictures of Matt and I, but we were by far NOT the tackiest couple.  We are already working on next years outfits. 
Sunday we all went to church, to breakfast after and then we exchanged gifts.  The rest of the afternoon the kids played with their new gifts and we all enjoyed visiting while watching some football.

 Opening her new bitty baby outfit and a matching outfit for her

 WOW a diego jeep and characters

 Taking his time opening his gift

 Here is one that says my name

 Looking at her new scrapbook that Aunt Kelly and Cousin Cori gave her

 Playing with his new Cars race track that Aunt Kelly and Cousin Cori gave him

 Bitty Baby's oufit

 Working on her scrapbook

Resting on the sofa with Pop

A visit with Santa

I wasn't planning on going to visit with Santa this year after Carter refusing to go anywhere near him last year.  However, about a week ago Carter started asking to go sit on Santa's lap.  Every morning on the ride to school he would say "I sit on Santa's lap".   So, decided to give it a whirl.  Worst case scenerio he would refuse again...no big deal.  Ella Catherine's dance class is right across from the Green Hills Mall.  So, I thought i could take Carter to class and bring a change of clothes for her and we would head over right after class.  The timing was perfect.  Class was over at 10:30 and Santa arrived at 11am.  Of course, the weekend before Christmas there was a bit of a line but it moved fairly well.  I am glad that Nana was in town to help.  Occupying 2 small children for an hour while we wait on Santa and keep our place in line is much easier with 2 adults.  Carter suprised us and ran right up to Santa and jumped on his lap.  However, my shy little guy didn't speak a word to Santa.  Never fear though, big sis was there to fill Santa in on what Carter wanted. :)

Hugs and pushes waiting in line

 More hugs

 1,2,3 shoot....rock, paper, scissors

 Anxiously waiting his turn

 Picture with Santa (nana's from the side)

 Ella Catherine brought Santa a hershey's peppermint kiss and was giving it to him

 Santa gave her a big hug and kiss

I want pom poms, a Barbie, Barbie clothes

Christmas in Memphis

We went to Memphis this past weekend to celebrate Christmas.  Aunt Katie and Uncle Shannon hosted the weekend. Uncle Shannon out did himself cooking.  The man has some serious culinary skills.  It started with his famous "mancakes" on Saturday morning and was followed by an amazing traditional Christmas dinner: turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole.  Mimi came over mid morning and stayed all day playing with the kids and visiting.  Saturday evening Matt, Mimi, the kids and I went to go see "starry nights".  It is a light display they set up in Shelby Farms every year and it is amazing!  The kids enjoyed it and so did the adults.  Afterward it was back to aunt Katie's and to bed for the kids.  The adults watched the heisman trophy award show.....WAY TO GO RGIII! and ate Shannon's mom's homemade red velvet cake (it was worth every calorie).  Sunday Grandpa, Grams, Uncle Michael, Uncle Christopher and Crystal came over for yet another great day.  Shannon was up early cooking and the house smelled divine!  On the menu for Sunday was deer stew, shrimp and sausage gumbo and salad followed by more red velvet cake.  It was superb!  I did remember my camera this weekend but forgot the battery (ugh!).  So, the pictures below are courtesy of Grams. 

Back row: Grandpa, Christopher, Michael, Shannon, Matt

Front row: Grams, Crystal, Ella Catherine, Carter, Katie and Amy

 Ella Catherine and Grandpa

 Brotherly/Sisterly LOVE

 CARS!!

 Carter playing with the dump truck Aunt Katie and Uncle Shannon gave him

 Ella Catherine loving her Barbie and Barbie Car

 Playing with Mr. Pickles

 The Holmes: Uncle Shannon, Aunt Katie and Mr. Pickles

Our little Family

Oh Christmas Tree

In addition to the Nutcracker, we went and picked out our Christmas tree.  I forgot my camera for the actual picking out of the Christmas tree, but here are a few pictures of us setting up the tree and the final product with it all decorated.

The Nutcracker

I have been looking forward to this day since Ella Catherine was born. As a teenager, I danced in Macon's production of the Nutcracker.  From that time on it became a tradition for the women/girls in my family to attend the nutcracker every Christmas.  So, I was thrilled when Ella Catherine saw the sign advertising the Nutcracker and asked if we could go.  Nashville has two production's of the nutcracker every year, one danced by the Nashville Ballet and one by the youth ballet.  Since I danced as a youth in the Nutcracker, I decided we should see this one first and I am proud to say I think I made a good choice.  It was an excellent production and at intermission they had cookies for all the kids.  She LOVED it and has already asked about going back again next year.  (We may have another Nutcracker dancer in the future. )

 Ella Catherine and I on our way to the Nutcracker

P.S. One funny statement by my princess about the Sugarplum Prince...." Boy's in tights are silly"

A few firsts on our Thanksgiving trip to Georgia

We headed south to Georgia for Thanksgiving and Matt's annual hunting week. As usual it was a great week full of family, friends and great food.  Matt enjoyed some male time with hunting, fishing and working the land at my parents cabin. Ella Catherine and Carter had some firsts that made their daddy very proud!  Ella Catherine went hunting with daddy for the first time.  No guns this trip just hanging out in the shooting house watching for wildlife.  Both Carter and Ella Catherine had lessons in shooting the BB gun with daddy always helping out as the gun is still a bit big for them.  I think Carter enjoyed it more than Ella Catherine.

 Ella Catherine and Uncle Brian jumping on the trampoline

 Playing a little football with Uncle Brian

 Carter and mommy playing catch

 Ella Catherine and Aunt Lori

 Carter and Ella Catherine taking a boat ride with daddy.

 Carter shooting the BB gun with daddy's help

Ella Catherine and Daddy ready for her first hunting trip!