Christmas with the Thomases

We have a tradition every year to get together with some of our dearest friends between Christmas and New Year's Day. This year we went on the Sunday after Christmas and let the kids exchange gifts. We always have a good visit and good food. Mitch usually makes his famous gumbo and then we fix something the kids will eat.

Tucker (Steven's cousin), Steven, Kirsten and Alec are excited about exchanging gifts.

Steven picked out a new Lego set for Alec and it was a brand new one that Alec had not seen before. He was so excited because it had a C-3PO figure in it.

Kirsten got a crochet needle case and a new crochet book.

The boys were all building their new toys. Alec and Steven had new Lego sets and Tucker had a new Bionicle set.

Alec is working hard to finish his set.

Their dog, Lady, loves to "sit pretty."

Ms. Sherrie helps Kirsten and gives her some tips on crocheting faster.

Steven is so much fun for my kids to be around. He is truly one of their best friends, even though we don't get to be with them very often.

Christmas with the McAfees

We spent the day after Christmas with my husband's family. All of the family was able to be there except for two nephews. We had a great time visiting and playing Secret Santa with the adults.

Kirsten was very excited with her new rocket that Aunt Tammy gave her.

Alec got one too. We are waiting for a good clear, non-windy day to shoot them off.

Alec got a Hot Wheels set and a gift card from Aunt Cheryl.

Kirsten got some bath salts and shower gels from Aunt Cheryl.

Alec opens his present from Grandma and Grandpa.

Kirsten got a new jacket and hat from Grandma and Grandpa.

This is his new Bakugan set. He was so happy.

Kirsten is modeling her jacket and hat.

Christmas with my Mother

We gathered at my mother's house this evening to celebrate Christmas with my family. It has become our tradition to take each family's picture in front of the tree each year.

My sister, Lisa, and her family.

My family.

My sister, Kathy, and her kids (her husband is in New Mexico visiting his father).

My brother, John, and his family.

My mother and her grandchildren.

Alec opens his new Bakugan set from my mother. He was super excited.

Kirsten loves her new books.

Merry Christmas Morning

Merry Christmas to You All!

This grand morning started very early for all of our family. We had told the kids to not wake us up or go downstairs or peek until at least 4:30. They did obey, but they woke up at 2:40 due to their excitement. They did, however, NOT wake us up until the clock turned 4:30. Mitch and I crawled out of bed and tried to enjoy the morning (which we did). The kids had a great Christmas and we had a wonderful family time.

The tree looks so pretty with the lights and in the dark of the morning.

Alec enjoys one of his new Lego sets.

Kirsten loves her new guitar.

This is another new Lego set for Alec.

Kirsten received a Kirsten American Girl doll.

Alec opens his new Spartan cross country hoodie.

Kirsten opens her new digital camera.

Alec loves this marble carpet game.

Kirsten is so excited about her Spartan hoodie.

We also gave Kirsten a new crochet book, some yarn, and some stuffing for her crafts.

After all the presents were opened, Mitch took a nap and I helped Alec with his Legos. Then later, Mitch got up and I got a chance to nap.

Christmas Eve Tradition

Tonight, as per our Christmas Eve traditions, we ate steak and baked potato, opened one present, and had ice cream sundaes. We always get a game or a new movie and let the kids open it and play or watch it as a family. This year, I got them Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? board game. We had a great time playing it and I must admit that I won without using any cheats. I did miss a few questions throughout the game, but they were not my questions so they didn't count against me. If only the $1,000,000 dollars I won in the game was real, we would really be celebrating tonight. Oh well, I love the Christmas season, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Just everything about Christmas is so enjoyable. On Wednesday, I told the kids "Happy Christmas Eve Eve!" and Alec said it was actually, "Happy Christmas Adam, because Adam came before Eve." I thought that was clever and funny.

Gingerbread House

Kirsten and Alec love to make a gingerbread house.

This is the first year that they did it completely by themselves.

I think it looks awesome!

New Ornaments

My Aunt Susan and Uncle Bruce have done it again... they picked out some really cute ornaments for the kids.

Alec loves his ornament.

Kirsten thinks her ornament is awesome. The kids all love to open their ornaments all together and see which one they each have.

My Mother Has a New Kitten

My mother inherited one cat, Rocky, from Claire about two months ago. My sister has been hinting that Rocky needed a play-mate. But of course, my mother said NO! Well, the other day, Lisa's neighbor was trying to get rid of some of her kittens and Lisa could not resist this face...

We all are a little crazy when it comes to black cats and kittens. We have always had then growing up and just love them. Brandon walked in the door saying that they picked up a new kitten for my mother. My mother was in the process of saying, "Absolutely not!" When a little black head popped out of Lisa's jacket and my mother said "AWWW!" and now has a new kitten.

This little kitten (now known as Noel) is just as cute as can be.

Yummy Christmas Treat

I am always on the lookout for fun Christmas-y things to do this time of year. I saw this idea on Amy's blog and filed it away as something fun to do. So today I bought all the ingredients and we made them tonight. They really are as good as they look. We used Cherry Vanilla ice cream, ginger ale, whipped cream, green and red sprinkles, and peppermint sticks. I found these cute mugs at Dollar General for next to nothing and thought they were perfect.

Aren't they cute??

Kirsten loves hers.

Alec thought they were great also.

Tonight, we went to Cotton Plant to see the massive Christmas light display.

We met up with Coach and her family.

The Christmas countdown clock reads 06 Days, 03 Hours, 57 Minutes, and 19 Seconds.

Kirsten and Alec pose with Frosty.

Even Yonea gets a hug from the fun loving Snowman.

Love this "redneck hunting" display.

The kids had a marvelous time.

Walking through the lights.

Posing with Spongebob.