This is Our New Year

The kids helping Paul put a new shelf together

Happy Girl

Action shot

We had a very laid back New Year's Eve.  It is nice because Paul and I both have a 3-day weekend.  I am in an "organize the house" mood.  Luckily, Paul feels the same way so we are trying to get a lot done this weekend.  We spent today taking most of the Christmas decorations down.  Why is it that it is so much more fun to get them out and put them up than it is to put them away.  Even though I have not bought anything new this year it seems as though everything has multiplied and it never goes back in the boxes the way it came out!

While I was off Wednesday with the kids we hit Target's after Christmas sale.  It is funny how all the retailers immediately put all the home organization items on sale.  They know everyone is going to be decluttering and organizing.  I bought a cubby shelf for Luke's room.  Luke has never really been one to play in his room so I want to make it more user-friendly.  We also bought several clear storage containers.  It doesn't matter how organized the stuff is, but if you can't see what is in their it does not help any.  It never fails that my labels I put on the boxes come off and I ended up going through all the boxes when I am looking for something specific. 

The kids spent Thursday and Friday at Bill and Paula's and had a blast.  It helped us so much that our family could pitch in and help with the kids while they are out on break.  Thursday night Laura and I went to Virginia's for dinner.  We ended up playing on Laura's iPad and getting tuned in to Pinterest.  I see that site taking up way too much of my time -- but it is fun!  I stayed up way past my bedtime and didn't get home until close to midnight.  Then, I couldn't sleep!  We always have fun when we are together.

Last night Luke was supposed to spend the night with Nonna but he did not take a nap in Gallatin all day. So, he fell asleep on the way home.  Mom was waiting on us when we got here and we let him sleep for a while in the car.  When we woke him up he was not happy.  He was very whiny and did not want to do anything.  He did not want to go to Nonna's.  We did finally convince him to come with us to eat.  He and Nonna came back to our house after eating so Paul and I could do some shopping for his birthday. 

We also had to cancel a playdate with Mrs. Morris and Hunter this morning.  Luke just wanted to stay at home. Honestly, I can't blame him.  The kids have been shuffled from place to place for a week now and have been completely out of their routine.  I am hoping once we get back to school next week it will be much better!

Fun Day for the Kids

Paul and I both had to work today so the kids stayed at Mom's.  It is good for the kids to spend time with Andrew and Mandi and we think they enjoy it, too!  We let Uncle Andrew put Katherine's new grocery cart together.  She apparently had a blast pushing it up and down the hall.  Yes, that is a vintage Cabbage Patch Kid.  He was Andrew's growing up!  They both took naps and Luke helped Mom cook us supper to take home!  Babysitting and a meal -- you certainly can not beat that!

Christmas in T-Town

The plan was to get on the road to Tullahoma around 9 this morning so we could be there in time for a late breakfast meal.  I knew during the night that my eye did not seem to be getting any better, and in fact, was getting worse.  When I woke up this morning it was matted shut which did not surprise me.  But, it was hurting pretty bad and it was very swollen.  I made a call to my eye doctor and after a little persuading they agreed to work me in this morning.  Their office was slammed so I had to wait close to 45 minutes before I was seen.  I guess I am glad I went there instead of a walk-in clinic which was my other option.  Turns out I do have pink eye as well as cellulitis.  That is why my eye is so tender and swollen.  He put me on "the strongest antibiotic eye drops on the market" and some antibiotic pills for ten days.  I am not looking foward to wearing my glasses the next ten days either. 

So, after the delay we got to Tullahoma closer to noon.  We arrived just in time to eat. Everyone had pitched in and cooked.  We had pancakes, biscuits, eggs and any other breakfast item you could think of.  It was really good!  After we ate we opened gifts.  We draw names on this side of the family which is fun and then the kids get gifts from everyone (lucky them).  Katherine was most fascinated by the stocking hat and mittens Nanny gave her and Luke loved the train that Thomas gave him.  We visited most of the afternoon and got home in time to start digging out from all the Christmas the kids got. The house is a disaster area since we have not been home much! 

The kids are out of school all week.  They are staying with Mom, Andrew and Mandi tomorrow.  They should have fun!

Nonna's Christmas

Luke is ready to open his stocking!

Well, if you are keeping track.  This is our third Christmas of the day.  We left Gallatin with time to spare before we had to be at Mom's.  We came by the house to unload the kid's gifts. They both fell asleep on the way which was good.  They needed a nap.  We were all worn out by the time we got there but were excited!  I look more forward to Mom's beef tenderloin than most anything else at the holidays.  I had been saving room for it all day!  Wouldn't you know that our little girl has good taste -- she normally eats very little, if any meat.  She loved the tenderloin!  And, who can blame her really?  She also likes Mom's cranberry salad.  That was probably the best meal she has eaten in a couple of days.

After we ate we opened gifts.  Luke helped Andrew pass them out.  Katherine got lots of fun things for the kitchen - dishes, fruits, vegetables, pantry products and an apron. She also got some clothes and other toys.  Luke got some Thomas Legos, Hungry Hippo game, puzzles, clothes and movies. 
We were glad to share Christmas Day with Mom, Andrew and Mandi. It has been awhile since we have been with them on Christmas Day for our Christmas.  We have had a wonderful Christmas!  The kids are pooped and so are we!  But, we have to make exceptions for Christmas. 

We travel to Tullahoma tomorrow to celebrate Christmas there and then another holiday will be behind us.  It is sad.  All the talk, hype and preparation leading up to the big day and then it is gone in a blink of an eye.

Troutt Christmas!

Luke was excited about his movie!

Pop being silly

Jim showing Memaw the beautiful picture of Lauren

Uncles Jon and Jim gave Luke his first remote control car -- Lightning McQueen!

New Titans cap!

JonJon and Meme loving Christmas!

Paula was surprised by her Kindle!

Katherine left the chaos to play with her tea set

Bill had all the boys draw numbers from three different cups

What Bill made!

Time to say bye-bye

We had a great time at the Troutt's.  We got there before 11:30.  Everyone else was already there.  Breakfast was being cooked when we arrived.  None of us were very hungry since we had just eaten.  We ate, opened stockings and opened presents.  The 6 "kids" draw names between each other.  We keep it a secret so it is always neat to see who had who.  Luke and Katherine had fun.  Luke tore through his gifts without hardly looking at them (again). He was excited about his first remote control car! Katherine squealed and bounced up and down at every gift she opened -- so cute!  She has been walking more for us, but still will not walk in front of other people!

One of the highlights of the day was Bill asking each of the boys to draw from three separate cups.  He then told them the numbers they drew corresponded with an item in his shop.  We did not know what he was talking about.  The boys joked that maybe one was the Corvette and the others were for tractors.  We all went down there and Bill had made 9 different items out of the old shop door!  How fun!  Everyone had a step stool and a tall table.  The other item we got was a bird house.  I was so excited.  I love things that have been repurposed.  We will find the perfect place for everything!  It is nice to have part of the old shop to hang on to.  Bill has really enjoyed the renovations he did this fall and is using his shop a lot more already. 

We stayed around and visited a while longer.  By this time my eye was really red and bothering me.  I was glad I had packed my glasses and Luke's antibiotic eye drops.  I am fairly certain I have pink eye - yuck!

Santa Was Here!

Not sure what Luke was so excited about here

Luke and Uncle Andrew wasted no time playing with the toys!

Aunt Mandi and Katherine are excited it's Christmas!

Since the kids were in bed a little later than normal last night they slept a bit later than normal this morning.  Mom, Andrew and Mandi got here in time to see the kids open their presents.  It was a little hectic trying to get ready for church.  The kids were excited that Santa came!  It was so funny because they were both more interested in the other one's things.  They got a fun kitchen to share --  they both played with it immediately.  Luke also got a soccer goal and ball, some puzzles, games, Lightning McQueen and Mack and some other goodies.  Katherine got a monogrammed chair, Beauty and the Beast DVD, Clarice, books, a puzzle, shoes and some other things.

We opened our stockings and had breakfast.  We had french toast casserole, grits, fruit and sausage balls.  I noticed my eye was bothering me when I woke up but I kind of brushed it off and wore my contacts anyway.  I did throw in my glasses and contact case just in case. We made it to church in plenty of time.  There was a nice crowd, but it was not packed.  After church we went to Gallatin and everyone else went back to Mom's.

Christmas Eve in Gallatin

You can't tell by looking, but Katherine loved wearing the Santa hat!

The Girls!

Every one had a cookie with their initial on it -- thanks to the Roy family

Luke "helped" Sharon play carols.

The admiration is mutual with these two

Jim and Lauren led a sing-a-long





I always look forward to Christmas Eve in Gallatin and this year was no exception.  We went to FBC for the candlelight service.  It was packed!  We sat in folding chairs that were brought in for overflow seating.  There were a lot of kids there, none of which were happy.  I hate to admit it, but we did not make it through the whole service.  Our kids got restless so we moved to the foyer.  I ended up sitting on the floor with both kids so we decided to leave early and head to the farm. 

When everyone got there we enjoyed a great supper with lots of finger foods.  We sang Christmas carols and enjoyed visiting with friends and family.  I think one of the reasonsn I enjoy it so much is that it is a good mix of people and it is always laid back.  We were the first to leave so we could get the kids in bed ready for Santa.  Everyone else stayed until well past midnight playing games.  Maybe when the kids are older we will be able to enjoy that part of it, too!

Family Christmas

Putting out food for the reindeer....

Luke loved doing this new family tradition!

Luke with his talking Super Why doll

Katherine holding on to Minnie

I was shocked when I opened a lap top!

We had some time when we got home to get some things ready for tonight and do our own family Christmas.  The kids loved opening their presents.  Luke went from one present to the next so hurriedly, he did not realize what he was opening.  Each of the kids got three gifts from Paul and I and one from each other.  Just so we will have all this in writing for the future:  Luke got a talking Super Why toy, A Cars 2 set, Llama, Llama Holiday Drama book and a Barnyard set from Katherine.  We started giving Luke a Christmas book on his first Christmas and have continued the tradition every year since.  Katherine got Olivia's Christmas book, LeapFrog's Laugh and Learn Picnic Basket, a stuffed Minnie Mouse and a fun magnetic activity book from Luke. 

I was so surprised when I opened a lap top from Paul!  I really had no idea what it was, even after I saw HP on the box.  Our home desktop is about 6 years old and we have been having some issues with it lately.  Paul said he had planned on buying an iPad, but when he thought about how rough our desktop was he decided it was more pracical to get a lap top as our family computer.  I agree!  We got Paul a Titans cap, a new rain gauge a hands free blue tooth for his vehicle and some other things.

After getting all the presents unwrapped we loaded up and went to Gallatin!