Christmas Card

very Happy Christmas day

Christmas Eve:

 Christmas Eve evening we went to Westminster and Alice the Angel and Sawyer the Cow joined the not-so-silent-night celebration of Jesus' birthday. Sawyer "grazed" a little during the story but no one was bothered and Alice enjoyed the heavenly host. The Kriese family joined us afterwards at our house for cookies and brightened our night with their company.

 

Christmas Day: 

Christmas Day was even better than I hoped. Alice and I woke up earlier than the boys, got ready, made Monkey Bread and Apple Cranberry Bake then woke up Mark and Sawyer about 8:30am. Mark mandated we wear pajamas even though the girls wanted "day clothes". It was such a delight to open a toy and then play with it, unrushed to open the next toy or let someone else have a turn. The kids are at an age to really enjoy their new toys: Magformers building toys, "Alice" rag doll, monster trucks with light-up wheels, Crayola art easel, remote-control bus, and more. Mark and the rest of us giggled at his new "Uncle Si" Duck Dynasty slippers with matching camo pj pants. I'm glad to leave behind my "dumb phone" with an exciting new smartphone, yeah!

 

We had comfortably eaten, played and decided to go to Christmas Day church in Old Town Mt Pleasant. The folks in our area were so impressed with the carols Alice knew so well. I was grateful for the magnetic dress-up princesses to keep her quiet :). Mark had always wanted to go to the beach on Christmas so we went to Sullivan's Island at lunch time. The sun came out as we were leaving and made the weather and walk so nice. We had a few hours back at home to rest and play before my parents arrived for dinner. I went to bed thinking that this was my favorite Christmas in our marriage. We didn't feel hurried or torn about where to be and I enjoyed it all!

 

 

 



Preschool Christmas Celebration

Mama, stable, Christmas tree with ornaments & star

 

O Christmas Tree

Mark and I had a cedar tree our first Christmas in our first house in Decatur, GA only because it was in a bad spot in our yard so we cut it down in December. It was a nice tree, my first real tree, but I'd almost forgotten about it until this year.

 

This year Mark was so excited to buy a real tree, decorate, and enjoy a much longer stay in our home over the holidays since we don't have to travel as far to see family. I saw a good deal on trees at Costco and had them toss one in the minivan after a visit to the ENT. Easy, stress-free, 8 foot tree DONE. Mark was mortified that I didn't have them unwrap the tree, inspect for fullness, needle-drop, etc. I did not know that was necessary! Mark's mom made the ordeal a much longer, involved family affair going from lot to lot for the perfect shape and size. We're pleased with the outcome and Mark was amazed by the process.

 

Alice and Sawyer LOVE to decorate. Anything "fancy" is a favorite for Alice. Sawyer likes the ridged balls he calls "pumpkins". I love the Austrian felt and straw ornaments I got the Christmas before we married while living in Schladming. Mark's made garlands and window swags. We're excited to celebrate our first Christmas morning in our own home, ever!

 

 

 

 

 

We had the added fun of decorating Mimi & Grandaddy's tree over Thanksgiving. Alice said it was, "The best fun ever!"

  

Holmes Family Thanksgiving

 

Mark couldn't stay away from Union Springs another Thanksgiving and I was happy to agree. Aunt Gail hosted 32 of us for the full Southern Thanksgiving spread. Alice and Sawyer seemed to entertain Mark's extended family after the meal while we caught up with his cousins over Lane Cake, buckeyes, cookies, and more. We ended the day at Lake Martin for two nights.

 

 

Fun visits with Friends

Liz and I have been great friends for 15 years and we don't get a chance to see each other often. I loved getting to meet baby James and see my friend while we were in AL for Thanksgiving. Overton Park morning with friends:

Alice (4), Maddie (3), Sawyer (2), Sarah Beth (2), James (3mo)

 

sweet friend Liz with our kids

 

early week visit with Mimi & Grandaddy:

Mimi's having a hard time with her first round of new chemo. Please keep praying for strength, rest, ability to maintain weight and good nutrition. We're glad she had a good energy boost one day we were there.

 

Waltman afternoon at their house/tree house:

#9

Pacific Ocean, Oregon 2006

Mark and I honeymooned in Oregon 9 years ago. We've had more adventures than I could imagine since our wedding nine years ago today. I'm so glad my best friend is my husband, kids' father and support.

Preschool Thanksgiving Celebration

Our little Indian "Pretty Rainbow" sang joyfully during the 4's Thanksgiving program. I helped and even got to dress as a Pilgrim! Alice was proud of the pattern she made on her Indian necklace and the buffalo/fish outfit she designed.

 

a sample song: Gobble, gobble says the turkey. Soon will be Thanksgiving Day. The way they treat me, they're gonna eat me. Guess I better run away. (to O My Darling Clementine tune)

 



Holmes celebrations

William shot and scored!

passing the time on a CHILLY morning at the soccer field

Uncle John's birthday celebration

Sawyer's happy with the Hot Wheels and balls at Gigi & Poppy's

Trick or Treat Halloween

 

Straight after preschool we drove to Atlanta to the best Halloween neighborhood I've seen. Uncle John, Darth Vader, Mark and the kids hit the street with zillions of their neighbor friends. Poppy and I joined the candy crazed kids. Sawyer loved his big lollipop so much he wouldn't even put it in his bag and ate it right away at home.  Alice woke up Saturday morning and said, "I loved Halloween and holding Virginia's hand." William forever won a friend in Sawyer by giving him a Lightning McQueen talking racecar :). Our kids really appreciate how sweet their big cousins were this weekend to play and share.

Preschool Halloween Fun

 

Alice started her Halloween festivities at preschool with a hayride, first piñata bash, class picture, and refreshments. Belle, from Beauty and the Beast, was happy and Sawyer and I were delighted to join the fun. Below is a picture with her teacher, Mrs Bonnie.

 

Proud Aunt & Uncle

This weekend we got to meet our 4-week old nephew, Kingston O'Connell Ballinger, in Atlanta. He's a cute, little blond reflection of his dad. Sawyer's proud to be a "big boy cousin" now to  a "Baby Ballinger". Alice commented on how cute Kingston is and how beautiful Abby is. . so sweet!

 



Greenville Cousin Day

We ate a great breakfast, biked through Furman's campus, and enjoyed the river walk and art shops downtown. I've heard great things about Greenville SC and now I believe it. What a lovely place! My sister and her husband moved there this summer and it's great to have family in my state.

 

The kids were delighted to see their cousins. Alice's first-ever spend the night was at Mary Beth's on Friday. She and Caroline woke up at 4:45am talking about Elsa and Ana from Frozen. They stayed in bed until about 6:15am then giggled and played until Mark, Sawyer and I arrived.

 



 

Climbing & Jumping Kids

if you can't find Alice just check the magnolia tree out front!

our side yard, marsh

first day on our trampoline with sweet neighbor friends