Christmas traditions: New and Old

It is a complete understatement to say I LOVE this time of year. Most people hate getting out in the mass craziness at the malls. I, however, crave it! I love the crowds and overplayed Christmas music that comes along with Christmas shopping.

This year is special. Allie is almost 3 and she will remember Christmas. We have tried to stick with some old traditions while starting a few of our own. Something I remember growing up as a child is listening to "Alabama Christmas" album. The album doesn't have your typical "Jingle Bells" or "Hark the Herald", but instead "Thistlehair the Christmas Bear", and "Santa Claus I still believe in you". Allie has taken to this cd as well. As soon as we get in the car he requests the 2 songs above. It melts my heart to watch her and hear her sing these songs that I grew up with.
Our new tradition that we started this year is the book, "Elf on the Shelf". It is a book about an elf who watches over you and reports to Santa at the end of the day if you have been good or bad. The book comes with an elf doll (Allie named him Stephanie) who moves positions each night after he has visited the North Pole. And when the kids wake in the morning, it is a game to find where the elf has hidden. It is super cute and Allie is all about it!

Lastly (and don't laugh)...I remember my mom handmade our Christmas stockings. So, I made some for us....over the course of 6 years and the fabrics don't match. Here they are, hung by the chimney with care (lots of care so they won't fall apart).

Quail hunting

Stephen has never been a hunter, but recently he has had the opportunity to....well, give it a shot. So, this past week he and a couple of guys here in Greenville went quail hunting. From what I hear, he shot 5 quail....altogether the guys shot 25ish. This is only his prep course for his big hunting trip next week to Kings Ranch in Tx...where, in addition to quail, he will be hunting deer and nelgai.



Stephen and Gus. From what Stephen explained to me, they would walk the field and the dogs would "point" when they came upon a quail nest (or whatever you call them). Then when everyone was in position...the hunting guide would kick the covey (sp?) and the birds would spread into the air.

Target practice...

And here is his target (from over 150 yards away).

The most wonderful time of the year.

Stephen's parents were in route from Williamsburg, VA to Marco, Florida and decided to stop in and stay a couple of nights with us to break up the trip. They offered to watch the kids while Stephen and I did a little Christmas shopping. We quickly took them up on their offer and scurried out the door. Stephen and I rarely get out together without the kids. We were browsing in Best Buy and struck up a conversation with another fellow shopper. I guess we were overly giddy to be out and about kid-free and the lady asked if we were newlyweds. Who isn't happy this time of year?! Thanks for the great pics of the kids by the tree Susan...and thank you guys for babysitting. Hurry back.

Greenville Christmas Parade

Brrr...it was cold, but I had a great time hanging out with my two precious kiddos and my adorable husband at the Greenville Christmas parade tonight.

Gabe has graduated to sitting in the stroller instead of lying in his carseat carrier in the stroller. He LOVED watching the parade. I would look over at him and catch him with a huge grin on his face. Of course, if you have ever met Gabe, you would know that is him most of the time....our happy little guy! (And I have to give a shout out to my mom's friend Kristen who let us borrow her sit and stand stroller so I can lug both kids around by myself. It has been great having around and lets me still feel like I have the freedom that I did with just one...well, sort of.)

Still enjoying the parade with daddy...

...and down for the count.

Snowy PA

I just got around to uploading the whopping 4 pics that I took over Thanksgiving...and wanted

to share a few pics of the kids in the snow. It didn't matter how cold it was outside, poor Gabe would sweat in his furry suit.

Tis the season to be busy

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving up in snowy Pennsylvania. Thanks everyone for another wonderful year!!! We had a great time getting to spend more time with Gram (Stephen's grandmother). She was kind (and brave) enough to let us and the kids spend a few nights with her. And a big thanks to Judy and Howard who so graciously opened up their home and invited in a world of chaos and family fun. We appreciate you all and we had a blast! Looking forward to our Thanksgiving cruise next year!


Posing in the snow. Allie was very confused by the snow and didn't want to walk in it.

Cousin Jodi helping the kids (Allie, Logan and Emily) make cupcakes.

Every year we get sucked into video games on Thanksgiving day. Last year it was Wii bowling. This year...rock band.

Another great picture of Stephen (I love to embarress him on my blog...thanks for being a good sport babe!)

Back up Bubba (Stephen's grandmother), it's my turn.

Picture happy

I got a little picture happy today.......

" Look out PA....here I come".

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