HO! HO! HO!

I MADE IT TO CHRISTMAS!

After my second hospital stay on December 16th, this was my goal.  I wanted to make it to December 25th so we could celebrate a normal Christmas.  So for the past two weeks, I have moved from my living room chair only if I absolutely had to, following doctors orders perfectly.  And it all paid off.

Since I was on bedrest, you will notice a lack of pictures from the week…but it was definitely jam packed.  My sister Ansley came in town with her family and nothing could have made me happier.  I was already super excited about Christmas but her visit, combined with the surprise Christmas gift for the girls, really made my month.

The big surprise when Ansley arrived was how much my nephew Chance has grown.  He is two years old and you will notice that the is the size of a four year old. It took him a day or two to warm up to me, but of course Tutu has the magic touch and was "speaking his language" from the second they walked in the door.

Ansley managed to get all four kids in the tub…they had a blast and I am sure that by the end of it more water was on the floor than in the bathtub.

On Christmas Eve, we got all of the kids in front of the tree.  It is almost impossible to believe how much Chance has changed in just two years.

After all of the stockings and gifts had been opened, it was time for me and Paul to give our gift to the girls.  This will be all of our favorite Christmas memory for many years to come.  Maysie was pretty quiet and once Railey held Annie, she asked, "is this real?"

Now that Annie is here, less than one month until baby number three arrives and our family is complete!

Santa at Phipps

Every October, I anxiously check my email to see if I have received the coveted invitation to visit Santa at Phipps.  For whatever reason this year, it came a little later than usually and I was only left with dates Thanksgiving week or during school hours.  Thanksgiving week it is!

With all the anticipation that goes into this visit, you would think that I would be more prepared.  Two days before the big day, I was scrambling to find outfits for the girls.  The day of, we got to the mall and I had forgotten my camera.  So this year, Iphone pictures will just have to do for the blog.

This year, Maysie asked for a stuffed horse, The Wiggles, and a light bulb???  Railey asked for a camera, a Orbeez luxury spa, and Princess Twilight Sparkle.

Christmas Cards….CHECK!

I am officially on a mission.  The reality of Thanksgiving, Christmas AND a new baby in the next three months has set in and I am working to get everything checked off of my list.  As I type, there is a handyman upstairs, an electrician in the backyard, the pest control guy on the way.  Not to mention that my mother is coming up right after Thanksgiving to help me with last minute preparations for family coming in town.  What would I do without her help?!?  I am feeling overwhelmed and on top of things all at the same time.

A couple of weeks ago, my sweet friend Stacey took some adorable pictures for our Christmas cards. I don't want to post the ones we are using but here are a few that were too cute not to share.

About halfway into the shoot, some boy scouts came by on a field trip.  Little Miss Maysie was NOT pleased.

Enough blogging for now….got to get back to work!

Christmas Crafts

Just another day in the neighborhood...wine, crafts and bonfires.  Craft of the day...Homemade Snowglobes!  Thanks Marlene:)

Even the little kids got to join in on this one

TA DA!

Just after craft time, Cade decided that his shirt had to go.  This kid makes me laugh every time I see him.  Here he is having Maysie feed him popcorn....

Poor Cade was the only one to break his snowglobe.  His mama dropped her wine glass later that night so he must come by it naturally:)

Couldn't help but to include these pictures of the most patient dog in the world...Bella.

Cade photobomb!

Christmas at the Browns

One of my favorite new traditions since Paul started with the band is the annual Christmas party at the Brown's. Luckily, Jolie is always there to capture the sweet memories of the kids with Santa.

Railey was so excited to see Santa and tell him EVERYTHING she wanted this year...

Family picture with Santa

Aunt Jojo never stops! She made these snow globes for all of the kids!

Little Maysie...happy and content as can be

With Aunt Lynn

Railey's two favorite things about going to the Brown's Justice

And Spotty

What an amazing "family" that we have become a part of.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

This year, we loaded up two kids, two dogs and TONS of presents and headed to Charlotte to spend time with the Chanon family. The girls just love being together and this year was no exception. We tried unsuccessfully to get a picture of all four of the princesses....I have a new appreciation for photographers. This sequence of pictures cracks me up.

And finally, this was the best we could come up with. Watch out Deana Levine....you have some competition!

Amanda's father always comes to Charlotte to visit for Christmas. One more Poppy for Railey and Maysie to love!

The "big" girls had fun doing everything together...from taking baths

To watching movies...

While the little girls, well they just sat around and looked cute

Finally, it was Christmas morning and we woke up to everything covered in snow!

Santa definitely came to visit the girls but the highlight of Railey's Christmas was her present from Grandmommy and Grandaddy....her own horse that she has now named "Unicorn Pony."

The girls couldn't wait to get outside and play in the snow

And they can be VERY persuasive when they want something. SO.....

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!