Christmas Eve - 2010

This year started off with what might become a new tradition. Going Caroling - no. A trip to Krispy Kreme to get donuts - YES. Nothing starts the day off better than a nice hot donut. Just ask these three happy faces.

And guess who was there? Santa - or at least one of his helpers. Charlotte could not take her eyes off him, Ellie loved to look but would avoid eye contact, and Evan would smile but not speak.
The next stop on the trip was to Jennifer's sisters. We got our first taste of what Christmas morning might be like. It was chaos! Ellie decided not to take a nap in the van ride there so she was extra fussy. Evan and Charlotte could not decided what they wanted to play with. Here they are getting into some presents.


Ellie was sooooo tired. She then gave me an early Christmas present - a nap in my arms. I was fake sleeping for the picture. This might not seem like a big deal but our kids are great sleepers and hardly ever require holding for naps. Ellie happens to be the best sleeper. The last time I had to (got the pleasure to) hold Ellie while she slept was in the NICU. Wow she has really grown since then.
364 nights a year I am a gym shorts and t-shirt for PJ's kind a guy. One night a year I will make the sacrifice and join the family. This year I think Jennifer may have taken it a little too far.

That's a whole lotta Cookie Monster. Oh the things we do for our kids.

Date Night

Put a quarter in the way-back-machine and a typical date night for Jennifer and I would include: Dinner, Wal-Mart, Lowes (or Home Depot) and most likely a stop at the grocery store. Believe it or not but those spectacular nights have become a distant memory. We have been able to score a sneak out with the much appreciated assistance of family stopping by, but that usually meant we got dinner (fast food) and one stop to pick up milk. The time has come to stretch our wings - lets get a sitter!!! A couple girls from church were willing to take on the task. One got sick and could not make it so the other one's mom came and helped for a little bit. We were gone for about 5 hours!!! It was wonderful to get out and spend some time together, have adult conversations, and enjoy a meal that was not filled with sit downs, don't lick that, and please eat something. About 3 hours into the date, I asked Jennifer if she wanted to call in and check. Before she could answer we got this picture sent to my phone (sorry it's so small). There they were all happy eating dinner.

We finished our night and returned home to happy kids and what looked like happy sitters. Carli and her mom Janine sitting with Ellie (the other two had already sprinted to the door to get mommy).

They even have time to do some arts-n-crafts.

So what did we do on our date? Dinner, Wal-mart, Home Depot, Grocery Store, and we even threw in a Target. What a wonderful night. I guess we will have to see if Carli is willing to baby sit again.

Santa 2010

We started talking about Santa Claus a few weeks before Thanksgiving just to get the kids prepared for the big day. They picked up on his image pretty quick, so we thought we were set for a peaceful Santa sitting.
Trip#1 - We decided to go to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa. It was the first day he was there so we thought it would be an easy trip and not to crowded. We were wrong. They did not allow us to see Santa because it was already too busy, so they turned us away. We did get a peak at Santa and he was worth a second trip.
Trip#2 - Jennifer came down to meet me during the week and we were in luck. There was only a couple people there so we could get plenty of time with Santa. Ellie was first. She typically will go to anyone and had been sleeping with a picture of Santa from last year, so she would take to Santa for sure - wrong. I failed the event by dropping her off too quick. She of course started to cry and did not want to see Santa.

Evan was next. He actually walked up to Santa and had no issue sitting with him. He did not get real excited, but he did not freak out.

Charlotte was our biggest concern from the beginning. She did not walk up to Santa but did sit in his lap. She like Evan was expressionless. She did not take her eyes off me the entire time.

Jennifer jumped into a shot, just to see if Ellie would calm down. It did not work.

Trip#3 - Ellie gets home and she is still obsessed with Santa. We have to give her another chance to see him. We also like some of the decorations at Bass Pro Shop so Jennifer wanted to get more pictures away from Santa. She did much better. Santa and his Elves remembered us so they were really nice. She sat with him for several minutes and gave us a big smile for the picture.

They can now pick him out of a crowd. Every now and then you can even get a Ho, Ho, Ho...

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

Yesterday was a fun filled day that made it really feel like Christmas time. We started the day with all the kids at church celebrating Jesus' birthday. I had a blast playing games, reading the Christmas story, and of course eating cake. My little ones were able to join in for some of the fun. They got there just in time to get all sugared up and then sing and dance. The whole room was filled with Joy.

We then got some snow (heavy flurries), which is odd for this time of year. We did not get out in it because the wind was too strong. The kids enjoyed looking at the flurries through the window.

Last night was the first performance of this years children's Christmas play. Part of the show was a live Nativity and the trips got to play parts. Ellie and Charlotte were Angels.

Evan was a Shepherd. He spent most his time looking for sheep (toys off the toy store set). Jennifer was an Angel as well - someone had to keep the little one's in line. Who knew that little Angels loved gold fish crackers?

They did a great job and we rewarded them with a trip to see Christmas lights at our local park.

Not much but the kids got a kick out of them. We made two trips through the park.

Maggie Valley

The Smith Family takes the first weekend in Dec each year to gather and fellowship. The last couple years have been cancelled due to weddings and football games, but this year the trip was back on. We typically head to Gatlinburg or to Pigeon Forge, but this year we stayed in Maggie Valley. We did as usual and took over the place. Almost 60 family members all descendants of (or at least claimed by) Coy and Agnes Smith.

Evan & Aunt Vivian

Ellie & Louis

The weather was not on our side with this trip. Some Christmas presents from Aunt and Uncle Terry and Stuart were just what the kids needed to pass the time.

Our cabin was filled with South Carolina Gamecock fans, so we settled in to watch the SEC Championship game. The result was not what we were looking for. Charlotte was expressing her disappointment as she watched the game.

The fellowship area was a little crowded and the timing was not quite right, so the kids enjoyed meals at the cabin. Ellie wears her noodles well.

We got a dusting of snow the next morning and although it was cold they got to run around outside. They headed up the hill to see what everyone was doing. Aunt Donna was out walking her dog.

We had a great time and can't wait to do it again.