Mom and I got Annie and Emma matching Christmas pajamas. They looked so cute and loved wearing them each night.
Annie had a solo in her class Christmas program. "Strike the harp and join the chorus!" She sounded beautiful and just stepped right up there like there was nothing to it. Some of them also did a little dance with their teachers. We all had our fingers crossed because the strap on her shoe broke as she was going up the risers at the beginning.
We had a wonderful time at the Opryland Hotel with Scott,Tina, Jon, Angela and Alex.
After spending the night we headed over to ICE! for How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It was so cold! I think 14 degrees. They passed out heavy coats to everyone--even little Alex.
All of the ice was painted and looked like it came out of a book. There was a giant slide--with a giant line that Annie determined was not worth the wait, but only after the fact. The Who's were all super cute. At the end was a crystal clear life-sized Nativity.
They had a store at the end (of course) where they sold hot chocolate and many other things including this elf had that Emma tried on.
This is a cute picture of Alex at Keith's house when we had Christmas there. Everything happened so fast there that I didn't get too many pictures. The wrapping paper was flying!
We let Annie and Emma open their Wii on Christmas Eve after we returned home from church. Mom, Dad and DeeDee, Scott and Tina and eventually Doug and Mandy were there. Annie had no idea. I had totally convinced her that there were no Wii available. I had had ours since before Thanksgiving. She was shocked and thrilled. I really wish we had the video camera out for it.
Christmas morning after they gave each other their gifts this is what they did. What a blessing to see them love on each other.
Emma wanted some pink boots for Christmas. We asked her where we should get some and she replied, "G-Y-M-B-O-R-E-E" Okay. We didn't know she could spell like that! We got them at Pistols & Petticoats.
Here is Emma all decked out to go to Mimi and GanGan's house with her new dress, new scarf, new tights and new boots.
Mom and Dad got Annie a Barbie mp3 player. I loaded it with some Hannah Montana, High School Musical and lots of praise songs. When I gave it to her, I said, "I put quite a bit of praise songs on there." Her reply, "Okay, I'm glad." Alrighty then! I'll take it. She puts the little ear buds in, which will not go above a certain volume and dances around the house.
DeeDee is looking pretty excited here, but I'm not sure about what. I like this picture because in one way she looks pretty grown up, but in another way it totally reminds me of this picture of her from a Christmas morning when she was about three. She's still pretty cute!
Doug has his painting that DeeDee did for him and Mandy. Theirs was black with deep red polka dots. Ours is striped and just as pretty.
GeeGee and GaaGaa gave Annie and Emma these cute little dog purses. The strap is attached to the collar and looks like a leash. They have been going lots of places with us lately.
DeeDee and Emma went into GanGan's study to play Wii, but Emma didn't quite make it.
One morning after Christmas, Emma was bowling in nothing but her undies. Things weren't going too well, so she went and got her "lucky boots." How about that follow through?
We had tickets to the Music City Bowl this year. Tim and Annie went last year, but it was the first time for Emma and me. Also joinging us were Scott, Tina, Keith, Taylora, Taylor, Will and Colton. Doug and Mandy gave Annie and Emma these very cute Music City Girl shirts for Christmas.
I had to take Emma to the restroom during our tailgating. We were near an Exxon station, so we opted for that rather than the port-a-potty. We waiting for 45 minutes! That place was packed. Emma never complained one time. She is such a patient, sweet little thing! She did much better than many of the grown women around us.
Here is Annie, Taylor, Will and Colton ready to tailgate. The wind was blowing, but the temperature wasn't too bad at this point. Once the sun went down, it was a different story! Quite chilly!!
We have been going to many, many ballgames. Annie is the primary water girl/manager this year. However, each game she takes on recruits. Which ever of her friends happens to be there will come over and join her. Jadyn is a very good friend of hers.
Emma and Hallie Anna (her dad is the girls' coach) have also been water girls a couple of times. They are good friends and in the same class. It is a good thing that we win pretty easily and Coach Lindsey is such a good and patient man. I don't know too many men who would be okay with sometimes having as many as five water girls. If nothing else, our girls stay well-hydrated. Annie even said that had she not been there to give them water the other night we might have only won by 30 points instead of 40!
Finally, a couple of weeks ago we had a great visit with the Pettys and Shadburnes. The kids played Wii most of the night and had a blast. This is Drew, who was in our wedding, singing to High School Musical and Alex.
Here is sweet little Ella, who we had never met! She was so cute, but I couldn't understand a word she said. :)
This is Olivia, who was also in our wedding. She has grown into a beautiful young lady, and is so sweet. Kathy is there beside her, but I didn't get a picture of Mechelle, Betsy or Buddy. It was so good to be around them all again though.
These are Kathy's two youngest kids: Gracie and Jack. They look so much like their dad, Adam, who couldn't be there. I also have a picture of Francie, but I think my luck with uploading pictures is over--at least for now. We enjoyed having all of them here so much, and we really look forward to seeing everyone again soon!I hope that you all are doing well. I am going to try to be more regular about my updates. I'm going to go back and post some pictures from this fall provided I can get some cooperation! Take care and stay warm.
