Let the String Begin and Other Merry Christmas Tales

Christmas around here isn't complete without our "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake. My girls are such pros in the kitchen they can really do this without my help.

Hanna's really not angry. . . she's just actin' all crazy. . . but that girlie loves cooking!

And, as always, the infamous string. Honestly, Christmas Eve night I was so tired I almost didn't do it. However, I love it and so do the kids. . . so I trudged through.

Christmas morning delights . . .

Here's Jon at his post. . . He's always behind the video camera. I'm always behind the picture taking camera.

Alec got the Leatherman he'd been wanting.

My girls LOVED their accessories.

Ash got a monogrammed cup, which she was tickeled pink about. (and shoot, I just accidentally deleted the picture)

Ash got Jon and Alec a monogrammed cup and really wanted one for herself.

Here we are all ready and dressed to go and do our "Christmas around the World" . . . not really, we just have lots of family to see on Christmas and are very grateful that we have loved ones.

Silly pose!!!!!

Next stop. . . Grandmamas. Just not the same wtihout Papa, but we did have a good time.

Dad always gets everyone Christmas shoes.

Me, Wanda, and Melissa

Next stop. . . Mama and James' house. . .

Mama was so excited about what she had gotten Alec for Christmas. She's like a little kid when it comes to gifts. . . except on the opposite end. . . she gets plum giddy about giving the gifts. . .

Can you see his lips about to say "Ccccooooolllll."

Hanna was so very excited about all of her Hello Kitty stuff.

JS absolutely LOVED his monogramed "GA Bulldawg" blanket we got him.

JS is one funny kid. When he was opening up one of his gifts he looked at Scott and said, "Trade back in." Scott had told him earlier if he didn't like something they would take it back. Scott forgot to tell him not to tell anyone . . .

See my beautiful necklace? Sweet Noelle made that for me for Christmas. She knows my most favorite gifts ever are the ones that are homemade. I love that little girl.

I love my family so very much, and I'm so thankful we have so much family to share life with.

Minute to Win It Family Edition

When we were all home for Christmas at Mom and James', Kristen and Jonathan had a great idea. . . we all played a family version of "Minute to Win It". It was so much fun. First though we had to decide our teams. . . We decided to do birth older. First borns versus second borns versus the baaaabbbbiiieeessss. First game. . .we had to get the red dot on our nose. James went first for the First-Born team.

He's SOOOOO silly!!!!!!!!!!

Ash went first for the Middle-Child team

She's SOOOOO silly!

Kristen went first for the babbbbiiiiesssss. . .

Next, we had ornaments in a box and had to shakey, shakey, shakey to get them all out.

Alec went this time for the First-Born team

They are highly entertained. . . can't you tell?????

James is entertaining them with this doll.

Melissa went for the Middle-Children. (she's going to KILL me if she ever reads this post)

Hanna went for the babbbiiiessss.

Next game, I went first for the first-borns. We had to get 3 candy canes on this hook. It's harder than it looks.

Ash sure was given this little first-born in her family some lovins.

Mama went for the middle team

Jon went for the babbbiiiesss. . .

This was such a fun idea! It might just have to become a tradition! Thanks Kris and Jonathan for getting it all together. We all laughed so very much!