A Very Special Christmas

Staying home Christmas was wonderful.  We loved going to our church's worship service on Christmas Eve. Pops and Uncle Garner came early afternoon.  We went to the Barclay's Christmas Eve Party and then came home for Twas the Night Before Christmas and lasagna.

Santa found us!  He left a tent filled with balloons and we had a grand day taking them in and out of the tent!

After Elizabeth Magee finished her stocking, she helped everyone else with their stockings!

Like most 9 month olds, the wrapping paper was more fun that the gifts inside.  Except for the snack cups…..Santa really outdid himself with the snack cups --- these two LOVE LOVE LOVE a snack cup -- they don't even want a snack inside….I bet that changes pretty soon :)

In a very non-typical manner, we left our tree up until the day after Christmas.  Every time we've seen a tree since ours came down, EM says "It's still Christmas here…."

We stayed in our pjs all day….the girls even wore theirs down to the playground to try out E.M.'s new scooter!

We headed to Greenwood for Christmas celebrations on Friday.  Elizabeth Magee and Sam are into everything…..those two are going to get in trouble in years to come!

Olivia, Beckett, and Elizabeth Magee had their first sleepover at Biscuits house…..I was worried EM wouldn't make it through the night but apparently she had a great time and didn't miss me one bit!  She was very excited to get to watch TV in bed --- I think they stayed up till 11:00 p.m.

My babies are lucky to have so many loving great grandparents and grandparents.  Elizabeth Magee was so excited to see that she and Pops "matched" for lunch.  She kept saying, "we all match."

Saturday night we had the Strain Christmas and celebrated Olivia's 5th birthday.  These children sure are lucky to have such a loving great-grand dad in Dee.

Christmas Time

I can't believe it's Christmas Eve!  Merry Merry!  This Christmas has gone by way to fast!  We started our Christmas celebrations this past weekend when my parents came to visit.  We all had a great time but I have to say that Mary Thorne had the best weekend of all.  This was the look on her face all weekend.  Seriously, I've never seen her in such a happy smiling mood.  We went to the live nativity at MBBC on Saturday night.  Such a sweet sweet performance and one that I hope will be a Christmas tradition for years to come for our family!

On Sunday we went to Tuscaloosa to visit my grandparents.  I hadn't seen their new place and I loved it.  I need to move into a retirement community.  I bet I'd never have trouble finding a babysitter….

For the most part Oliver's been off work this week and it's been fun to show him our day.  I took him to spin with me yesterday and at one point EM had given everyone hats to wear for the day.  Oliver was wearing a white fur hat of mine from high school and sipping "tea" from her tea cup --- he's a good sport to go along with our crazy little flow!  

I'm going to miss our elf, Duck, when he leaves with Santa tomorrow.  This morning we woke up and he'd left new pjs and santa hat for the girls:

Isn't our tree pretty?  I love real Christmas trees but am always ready to take them down the day after Christmas (and maybe we've taken it down on Christmas a few years)…..but this year I'm thinking it may get to stay around a few days after Christmas….I guess since Elizabeth Magee named it Suzy it feels a little sad to throw her out??? I can't wait for everyone to get up and start enjoying Christmas Eve with me!  We are waiting for Pops and Uncle Garner to get here, then going to church at noon, a party this afternoon, and then have a big Christmas Eve dinner ---  I can't wait!  Merry Merry everybody!

A Little More Merry

Is it just me or does anyone else feel like Christmas is flying by this year?  We've had lots of fun and I can't believe it will all be over in a week!  Last Sunday was the Mountain Brook Christmas Parade.  It was COLD!  I was working at our church's open house until 5 minutes before the parade started so Oliver got all three up from naps and dressed for the parade.  BIG BROWNIE POINTS.  We had a great spot on the route and made friends with the people next to us who had TWO sets for twins (the older girl is in the far right of our family picture).  Their dad was nice enough to try to get a family photo for us!  Elizabeth Magee got the parade = candy thing a lot better than she did at Halloween.  We've been eating parade candy all week!

This is how we like Santa this year --- from a distance and on daddy's shoulders.  Mrs. Claus is a little less scary and since she's been at the Mountain Brook Library all week -- we've gotten close enough to tell her what we want Santa to bring us.

If Mary Thorne could talk she'd want dog food, dog water bowl, and a bottle of wine (goes right for it every time you open the fridge).  At her 9 month appointment this week, Mary Thorne weighed 15.15 pounds (25th percentile) and was 28 1/2 (95th percentile).  Mary Thorne started saying, "Mama" to me two nights ago.

If Poppy could talk she'd tell Mrs. Claus that she'd want her own bathroom with water than ran constantly all day long.  At her 9 month appointment, Poppy weighed 15.14 pounds (25th percentile) and was 27 1/2 (75th percentile).  Poppy is making a sound that almost sounds like "Agee" --- maybe she's saying "Gee" or "Ally"…..she also makes the "dada" sound a lot.

Elizabeth Magee wants a scooter for Christmas.  Unfortunately for Santa, she changes the color every single day.

Yesterday was a day full of sugar cookies.  EM had a class party with pizza and sugar cookies and then our neighbors came over to decorate cookies!  Needless to say, dinner wasn't touched last night!

Mary Thorne loves loves loves people.  Charles was her favorite yesterday.

Jennings and Elizabeth Magee worked hard to make us think they weren't just eating the icing!

Full Lap = Full Heart

We went to dinner last night.  It might not sound like a big deal but its the first time we've taken all three out to dinner.  At 5:30 Oliver called to see if we wanted to go eat pizza with some of his co-workers and their families.  I'm glad I didn't have all day to worry about it because I would have!  I was prepared for the worst but it was a great night.  I even had a glass of wine!  It helped that Annie was there to entertain Elizabeth Magee.  The twins ate a huge amount of club crackers.

We went to New York Pizza in Edgewood.  We don't go to Homewood a lot but here is a picture I found of Oliver and EM eating ice cream last Christmas in Homewood.

On our way out, I got a picture in front of the same tree.  Our family sure has changed.  I posted this picture on Instantgram and someone said "full lap = full heart" I couldn't agree more!

Christmas Days

Elizabeth Magee's first Christmas program was last Sunday.  The preschools sang after the 5th grader Christmas program.  We had no idea what to expect.  She kept telling us they were singing Jesus Loves Me and Jingle Bells.  They sang neither.  We thought she might not even stand up on the stage.  I was fully expecting a melt down.  I could not have been more wrong -- we have a little stage star!  She started off very shy looking with Lambie stuck in her mouth.  Then the singing started..she didn't sing but she started to sway and then dance a little.

The third song was "Go Tell It On The Mountain."  As soon as it started she says very loudly, "My mama sings this song."  She says that about three times.  Then she sees us for the first time and says a little more loudly, "There's my mama.  Hey Mama."  My heart could have burst it was so full!  I love this age and stage.  I could not have been more proud of her and more grateful for our sweet sweet church!

I found the twins sleeping like this earlier this week.  I can't believe they will be 9 months on the 23rd.  They are such little troopers!

The Mountain Brook Library is not your typical library.  It has the most amazing programs and events.  Last week there was a Fancy Nancy Christmas Boutique.  Basically the librarians dressed up like Fancy Nancy and set up a hair boutique and sprayed painted and glittered little girls hair.  Elizabeth Magee was to shy to sit in the chair but Annie did it!  A very fun way to spend the afternoon!  We are looking forward to the Mrs. Claus party next week.

Duck and Suzy

We celebrated Thanksgiving to the fullest.  Elizabeth Magee and I made a quick trip to Memphis for lunch with friends.  I know she shouldn't remember living there but it makes me a little sad that she doesn't know and remember Memphis.  We had the best little community there and I'm so thankful for all the people who loved her and us so much!  We were supposed to meet Emily after her doctor's appointment but she ended up staying to have her baby, Thomas!  We can't wait to meet him!

Oliver came to Senatobia on Wednesday and we put on our Christmas finest and headed to the Peabody.  Elizabeth Magee loves Eloise.  She thought we were at the Plaza.  She yelled "the Plaza" when we walked into the lobby.  Sorry, sweatheart….just the Peabody --- but it's one of my favorite things to do is see the ducks and have a Shirley Temple!

After the ducks, we walked upstairs so EM could see more of the Peabody.  She spotted the elevators and that was the hit of the trip.  She and Oliver rode up and down several times…"just like Eloise"

Siggi hosted a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner and we had lots of fun.  Of course I didn't take enough pictures but I thought this one was sweet:

Aunt Renie's second great gran is due any day!

Ms. Ruby was sweet to bring the girls a Thanksgiving happy --

The twins still haven't figured out the Siggi Magic but Elizabeth Magee didn't leave her side for our entire trip!

We came home on Friday and got our tree on Saturday.  We also have an elf, which Elizabeth Magee named "Duck."  Elizabeth Magee then insisted on naming our Christmas tree.  She picked the name Suzy.  I wish I could get into her little mind sometimes and see what she's thinking.  When we say her prayers at night "Santa Claus" has been added to the top of the list.  Last night she even prayed for Santa Claus baby sister.  Adorable.

 We have entered Christmas season and I couldn't be looking more forward to this month!  We have lots to be thankful for and lots to look forward to -- it's going to be a busy and merry Christmas!