Pre Christmas

Well, we have survived. Thanks to Juju and Papaw Larry, Craig and I de-Christmased the house for our New Years Eve celebration before heading to a New Years Party. We spent all day Saturday trying to get the house back in order. All Christmas decor is down, not put up mind you, but it has all been moved to the bonus room. Now, we are awaiting the organization fairy to arrive to get things put up. I do wish she would hurry!

Anyway, moving on... as Brooke said it "This has been the best Christmas EVER!" We did a ton of celebrating and naturally have a ton of pictures to share. So here's a start....

In the days leading up to Christmas were somewhat stressful, but for the most part - FUN! I had a solo in our church Christmas Cantata, and then spent a week before Christmas week inMemphis serving on a Contractor Selection Panel. Thank goodness I had finished most of my shopping, and I got to visit with family while I was there (Melissa - I can't believe we didn't take a picture!) I rushed home that Friday afternoon and helped prepare for the invasion of the Calloways! We had my brothers family and my parents over for lunch and gift exchange, and then opened the doors to approx. 40 of my closest family members for our traditional Dirty Santa gift exchange. This is the first year we have done it during daylight, which was fun and less rushed. We typically do it late in the evening when the kids have grown tired and everyone is wanting to get home. So this was a fun change in tradition. I ended up with a package of bubble bath (Beans in a Bottle - think about it) and Craig received a cheese platter with a lovely poinsettia. We headed to our second family party of the night for dinner, more gift exchange, and singing carols (Brookes' favorite part).

Lots of sillyness when the Calloways are together! Reindeer ears and noses courtesy of Papaw Larry!

The brooms and dustpans were the favorite gift for all the girls from Juju. Sure wish she had given them better lessons on how to use them. They are still the most played with gift the girls received!

Brooke also got a Karaoke machine which has kept us all entertained.

During the week before Christmas, my mom helped us out on Monday by taking Brooke to a birthday party at Chick-fil-a, and then she and Papaw went with us to Canton for the Victorian Christmas. The weather was perfect for the girls to run around and ride the rides. Unfortunately Papaw wasn't feeling well, so he slept in the car and Tenley was in an "I don't want my picture taken unless it's for someone other than my mom mood." She was posing in everyone's pictures but mine and she would not look at the camera. I took off Tuesday to celebrate a Christmas Lunch with Craig's office and to wrap up the last of our Christmas shopping and gift wrapping, and Brooke went to Magee to spend a few nights with Memaw and Pawpaw. We spent the rest of the week, visiting with friends and relaxing at the house. Our holiday season didn't seem as rushed or stressed as it has in the past, which was a blessing. I think having Craig down in the back forced us to stay home a little more than we would have normally.

Canton Victorian Christmas

Posing with strangers, but not our family! She was laid back and all!

Riding the rides!

Oh, and Emily hung around until Santa picked her up on Christmas Eve. She was quite mischevious! Craig said they found her riding the reindeer one morning, and Brooke fussed at her for being so close to the ground. She just knew Tenley would mess with her and she would lose her magic!

Hanging onto the front door looking out for the Calloways to arrive!

Hanging from the Fridge door after turning our milk GREEN!

Our little elves dressed as the elf on the shelf! Brooke insisted on wearing the skirts with their Pj's every night.

Saying Goodbye on Christmas Eve. Tenley had already gone to bed.