The Nice List!

Silly boys

Bleary eyed, but excited!

She is a happy little girl!

Luke went straight to working building on his new Lego table!

Katherine wasn't sure where to start

Now, that's talent - vacuuming in high heels!

By the looks of what Santa left for the kids they both made the Nice List this year!  They were both so excited by what the got.  Luke was thrilled with the Lego Fire Transporter set and was surprised by a little Lego table. He also got a new bike!  Katherine got a doll stroller, a princess tent and some books and puzzles.  They both got stick horses.  Nonna came to watch them go through their stuff.  We leisurely cooked brunch while the kids played.  We had biscuits, creamy grits, fruit and some yummy brown sugar bacon that I made.  It was nice not having to rush around this year.  We took our time before we got ready to go to Gallatin.  This was my favorite Christmas morning so far.  The kids were sweet about everything and really seemed to be appreciative of what they got.  We missed Andrew and Mandi though; they have been with us the past couple of Christmas mornings!

Our Family Christmas

Showing off his new movies

Katherine loves her new dress up shoes!

The kids started putting together the new Lego set immediately!

Spreading "reindeer food"

Warm enough to wear short sleeves!

Two old souls...

We came home from church and got ready for our family Christmas.  Paul told me yesterday he wanted to cook Christmas Eve supper and for me not to worry about it - how nice!  While supper was cooking we opened our presents to each other.  Luke got a logging truck, some movies and a 3-in-1 Lego Creator set which he was super excited about.  Katherine got the Cinderella movie, Minnie Mouse dress up shoes, a StoryTime LeapPad and a Lego princess set.  Paul and I were both pretty boring this year and gave each other practical gifts -- pj's, cologne and so on.  Supper was great -- bourbon orange chicken, green beans and rice.  We fixed milk and cookies for Santa and put the reindeer food out before loading up again and heading to Gallatin.  If you are counting, that is three trips north that we have made today -- tis' the season!

Bill and Paula have a get together every year on Christmas Eve night.  It is mainly whatever friends and family are around.  Jon and Kristen are with her family in Mississippi and Jim and Claudia are celebrating Christmas at their home in Franklin this year. So, it was just the four of us and the Jenkins and Roy families this year.  They kept it simple this year and did grilled cheeses.  We stayed for one game of Catch Phrase, but it was still a late night for us.  We didn't get home until 9:30 and Katherine was wired.  She had no intentions of going to bed!  It took me an hour and three different trips in her room before she finally went to sleep!  It was a late night, but we are ready for Santa!

Christmas Eve Breakfast and Candlelight

Mary Lu and Katherine still look like they could be sisters!

I was off today!  This is the first Christmas Eve I have had off in several years and it was so nice!  I got to attend the annual Christmas Eve Breakfast in Gallatin.  A large crew of us descended on Mabel's which is a small mom and pop restaurant.  Not sure if they were ready for us!  We missed a few of the regulars but it was so fun getting to visit with everyone.  The kids had fun, but by the time we were finished and wanted to get a group kids shot they were d.o.n.e and would not cooperate.  We were excited to meet baby Michael - he is precious and slept the whole time!

After breakfast we came back home for awhile before we went to the 3:00 candlelight service at church.  It was so nice.  We had not been to it before.  We have been going to the service at FBC-Gallatin the past few years.  It is always so packed and we end up sitting in the foyer so we tried something different and really liked it.  There was childcare for the kids.  The service was packed.  I was really surprised how busy it was.

Sunday

No Sunday dress is complete without sunglasses!

Ready for church

I love her in this little coat!

Katherine must do everything Luke does

We went to worship this morning but did not stay for Sunday School.  I had to work and thought it would be better to get there early enough to get done at a decent time.  Paul and the kids rode home with Mom.  Luke stayed with Mom while Paul and Katherine came home.  I got home late this afternoon.  Luke's big toe is a little irritated - not really sure if it is an ingrown toenail or what.  We have been soaking it in warm water and putting an antibiotic ointment on it.  Every time Luke soaks his feet Katherine wants to soak hers, too.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve -- I think we are ready!

Out with the Old...

We did not have anything planned today.  We spent a lot of time this morning cleaning out and organizing.  In a few days the house will be inundated with all kinds of new toys and we need some more space!  We took a load of things to Goodwill. Paul cleaned out his closet and organized the pantry.  We also did lots of laundry and some cleaning.  Mom needed some help with a few things at her house so we ended up staying there long enough to eat lunch.  We Skyped with Andrew and Mandi which the kids always love.

Tonight we went to Outback for supper.  We haven't been there in years. Someone had given Paul a gift certificate which was nice.  We remembered quickly why we don't go there.  It seems way overpriced for what you get and the quality of food is only fair.  The kids enjoyed going somewhere different though so it was nice for a little change.

Christmas Parties

She did not want her picture taken -- at all!

Both the kids had their Christmas parties this afternoon.  Paul and I were both able to get off and able to go. the kids were so excited to see us -- Luke was especially excited to see Paul.  He isn't usually able to make it to their school activities so they loved it.  Each class had a party and book exchange.  Paul and I took turns going to each of their rooms.  Katherine's party was finished before Luke's so we all got to hang out in their for awhile.  Katherine wanted to be a part of the book exchange, too.  They both left their with a sack full of stuff!  This time of the year is fun, but also busy.  I counted up that between their church teachers, school teachers and the people I work with we had over 20 gifts to get!  The fact that Mom has been making sourdough bread again helped some.  We gave a loaf to each of their church teachers.  Their school teachers got gift cards and they requested I make a french toast casserole.  I made one during Teacher Appreciation Week and apparently it was a big hit.  So, I baked that this morning before we went to school.  I got ornaments for each of the people that I work with. They are fun to buy and everyone can always use another ornament!

Paul still has a rental truck since his is being repaired from the fender bender he was in at Thanksgiving.  The kids love it because it is an extended cab and they can ride with him!  Oh, how it would be nice to have one of those as his work vehicle.  As it is now Paul can't take the kids anywhere unless he drives his car then comes back and gets his work truck.  They jumped at the chance to ride home with him this afternoon.  Since none of us were very hungry for supper we ate a snack and then went driving around looking at Christmas lights.

The Advent Calendar

Each day the kids have been taking turns with the two Advent calendars we have. One of them is a Hershey Kiss calendar where each day you get a piece of candy.  The other is one Paula gave us the first year we were married.  We usually do that one in the mornings and the candy at night after supper.  They love doing them and counting down the days until Christmas.  Another tradition we started last year is the Elf on the Shelf.  Luke decided to rename our elf to "fireball" this year.  We let him since we never fully agreed on the name "Mr Elf" that he gave him last year.  It is so cute every morning they kids run around saying "fireball, where are you?"  Our Elf is not as mischievous as some I have seen on Facebook and Pinterest.  He is a pretty mild mannered Elf.  The kids have found him dangling from light fixtures, hiding in the Christmas Tree and kneeling next to Baby Jesus in our nativity just to name a few.  We love all the traditions, old and new, that this Season brings.

Paul's Birthday

Paul and I celebrated his birthday earlier this week by eating at Carrabba's and doing some shopping in Green Hills.  This afternoon he opened his gifts from us.  He got a new UT hoodie and an iHome.  He was excited about both.  We picked Mom up for an early birthday supper at Demos' and then the community orchestra concert at church.  It was a great concert.  They have only been together a few months so we were impressed with how good they were.  The kids went to the concert with us instead of going to the nursery.  The did ok for the most part.  They enjoyed the music.  A little girl from Luke's school sat in front of us so he kept trying to play with her.

Lots To Do...

Who is that under there?

Katherine pretends most everything is a  "horsey"

Quick playground trip

Modeling a new outfit from Nene

We had a busy day today.  I had a hair cut scheduled this morning so Paul and the kids dropped me off.  It was decent enough that they went to the playground until I was done.  We met Bill and Paula for lunch in Gallatin for Paul's birthday.  I went on to work and didn't eat with them.  I knew it would be busy and the sooner I could get there the sooner I would be finished.  Paul's car has been in Gallatin for a week or so.  The brakes needed to replaced on my vehicle so I drove the Accord.  When mine was finished I picked it up and Bill took Paul's car back to their house.  The kids and Paul hung out at the farm while I worked.  I had to run by the grocery on the way home to pick up a few things for my work party tonight.

It was nice that we were able to take the kids to my work party.  It was all the dietitians I work with and their families so there were a few kids there for Luke and Katherine to play with.  They had fun but I knew they were past their breaking point.  Neither one of them had naps so they were cranky before we ever left!

Is That Rudolph?

We went to BopNene's last night to put lights on their Christmas tree and to help do some decorating.  Paula found a blinking Rudolph nose that kids had a fit over.  I think they actually had one last year, but have since lost it.  They brought it home and Katherine wanted to wear it.  She added the antlers and danced around the kitchen!

Ho, Ho, Ho

I just had to post this picture of Katherine.  Her little personality is so cute.  She talks non-stop now and it is amazing what all she comes up with.  She is very observant just like Luke always was.  I can understand about 90% of what she says and Paul understands about 50%.  Sometimes Luke has to interpret for both of us!

Lazy Saturday

We didn't have much going on today.  We went to McDonald's for breakfast - healthy, I know.  The rest of the day was pretty uneventful, just errands and chores around the house.

Tree Lighting

The kids loved being with Nene

It was Luke's idea to pose in front of the tree

Paul had his Christmas dinner for work tonight.  I was not able to go because it started at 5:00 downtown and it was too hard for me to get away.  Paula asked if she could pick the kids up from school and bring them to the square in Gallatin for the tree lighting.  It worked out perfect.  I was able to work a little later than normal and then meet them there.  There was a great turnout.  A children's choir performed prior to the lighting and then we sang some carols.  I told Paula it felt like we were in a Hallmark Christmas movie!  After the lighting the library had an Open House.  There were refreshments and the kids enjoyed reading lots of books.  We decided to eat supper at Grecian's.  The beauty (or not) of a small town is that you know people everywhere you go.  We saw several families at supper that we had not seen in a long time.  The kids were great and enjoyed our evening out.  Paul enjoyed his Christmas party.  Turned out to be a great night!

Paul and I treated ourselves to a Christmas outing last night.  Paul got us tickets to see Kenny G perform with the Nashville Symphony.  He is an amazing talent!  The concert was wonderful -- the last half was all Christmas songs.  We learned that he has the best selling Christmas album of all time.

Tis The Season

The next few Wednesdays are going to be spent trying to get all the Christmas gifts bought, wrapped and under the tree.  We have gotten most of the decorations up but have decided to get a real tree for the living room.  Our pre-lit tree has lost most of its lights so we figured it was a good year to make the switch.  Paul always had a live tree growing up, but I never did.  It will be fun!  When I picked the kids up from school today we decided to get a treat at Gigi's Cupcakes.  The kids loved it. We all shared them and they were good.

Paula started a new chemo this week at Sara Cannon.  It is a newer technology that we are excited about. She will do two rounds of it and then re-scan to evaluate its effectiveness.  She has done great so far following treatment -- just a little tired, which has come to be expected.  Praying this is the "right" medicine to heal her!

One Ringy, Dingy

Luke has gotten into posing for pictures a little more lately which is a nice change from his normal cheesy grin.  The kids were in good moods when we got home from school today.  Mondays can be rough on all of us so today was nice.

A Tradition with Friends

Our little group, minus Katherine

"Farmhouse in the Fork"

There was a pond on the farm to enjoy in the warmer months

The barn was beautiful lit up at night

Almost every year since Paul and I started dating we have done a weekend away with our good friends.   As the years go by the weekends away get more important for all of us.  This year it was extremely difficulty for us all to get away for two nights.  Rather than canceling our annual trip we decided getting away from reality for one night was better than not at all!  Paul lucked up on this great farmhouse in Leiper's Fork.  It was booked Thursday night and Saturday night so the owners gave us a good deal for one night.

The house exceeded our expectations.  Even though Leiper's Fork is not that far away - about an hour drive for each of us it seemed like worlds away.  The house had recently been renovated with all the latest amenities, but still had an old school charm about it.  Rico grilled some amazing steaks for supper and we kept it simple with salad and potatoes.  The owners thought of everything and had a basket with all the s'mores ingredients ready for us.  There was an awesome outdoor fireplace with an eating area that we enjoyed late into the night.  We all enjoyed a good nights sleep and headed into the little town for breakfast at Puckett's Grocery.  The breakfast was great - no fuss here, we had biscuits and gravy served in paper plates.  We all did a little window shopping before we parted ways.  Even though we were only together a little over 12 hours it was well worth it and much needed!  It was so great catching up with the girls.  They truly are dear friends!

Paul and I took advantage of Mom having the kids for a little while and did some Christmas shopping in Franklin.  I hit my favorite shops on and off the square and found a few little stocking stuffers.  The kids had a great time with Mom and didn't want to leave when we got there to pick them up!