Santa Pictures

It is a tradition in my family to have your picture taken with Santa every year. There is a picture of my sister and/or I every year from 1974 (when I was born). Yes, that includes through high school. (And can I say how embarrassing it is to sit on Santa's lap as a freshman in high school when you find out that you go to high school with the guy playing Santa? And yes, he knows you.) Anyway, I digress. It's a family tradition. It has been fun to look back at all the Santa pictures we have amassed over the past 35 years.

Santa and me in 1974

We were at the mall for Christmas pictures with The Picture People. I had thought about having a picture with Santa taken at the same time with the mall Santa, but then I saw the line. The amazing, crazy, wildly long line. Since Craig was working, it would mean me standing in line with the kids on my own. I was not up for that. With some help from Craig, I found out that Whole Foods had Santa and his reindeer. So, we decided to head that way. It was a great decision!!!

We pulled up and saw all of one family in line. By the time we made it to Santa, we walked right up to him. It was perfect. Another bonus ~ we could take the pictures we wanted for free.


An added bonus is that we got to see the reindeer. It was so cute - Kalyn called each of them by name and then said, "Where's Rudolph?" Too funny! It was so nice that there were so few families there so we got to stay as long as we wanted watching the reindeer. Well, we got to stay until Trinity got too cold. The kids even got their own reindeer "hats" on our way out.

What a great Christmas afternoon.

A Climbin' We Will Go

Saturday afternoon, we decided to give the girls a little treat my exposing them to rock climbing at the indoor climbing wall at Lifetime. We were excited to see how they would do. Since Kalyn just turned 5 in November, this was her first opportunity to go. We thought Kalyn would be a little bit more excited than Trinity, so we decided to wait until they cold both go together. We talked a lot about encouraging one another and supporting each other as they climbed. When we arrived, there were only a couple of people climbing, so we had our choice of ropes to use and paths to take.

Getting ready to climb

Both Craig and I climbed up a little ways with the girls to help them find hand holds and foot spots

Giving Trinity the support she needed - how priceless is that smile, though!

Our little spider monkey

As we expected, Kalyn got right into it. She did really well. Trinity did well too, however she just didn't get as high. She would hit a point and then just decide she was done. We kept encouraging her and reminding ourselves that this was her first time climbing. Kalyn went as high as she could. A couple of times, one of the ledges stopped her from going further. I think they both had fun. We are looking forward to taking them again soon.

Basketball Game #3

The third game of the season brought a slightly disinterested Trinity. She just wasn't quite into the game as much she had been. As everyone was watching center court, eagerly awaiting the jump ball to start the game, Trinity was checking out the lights hanging from the ceiling. It was quite amusing as we tried to get her attention back on the game. She must have been tired because she seemed to be moving a little slower than usual. That's means it probably was a good thing that it was the last one before our Christmas break. (sorry the pictures are so dark)

She actually took a couple of shots at the basket, which is an improvement. She also had a great steal at the end of the game. This game was interesting because one of her friends was on the other team. They actually were paired up to guard against each other a couple of times. It was a good game to watch!

3 & 0 girls - way to go!!

Kalyn's Christmas Party

Thursday was Kalyn's last day of school and I was one of the parents who got to put together her class's Christmas party. We read Christmas books, ate yummy pizza and played games. Seemed like the kids had a great time. After all, any excuse to play a little bit more and not eat lunch from a lunch box is a good day, isn't it? Xander was with me and jumped into the class as if it was his. No hesitation from him!

One of their Christmas activities was to tell the teachers what they would give Jesus for a gift. Here was Kalyn's answer ~

Chalk Art

The last Wednesday night at church before the Christmas break brought a very special treat. Brett, our youth minister, brought in a chalk artist and it was amazing to watch her work. She took a simple canvas and added amazing layers of simple chalk to create a moving portrait of the shepherds and wise men heading toward Bethlehem.

Then she sang a beautiful song as she adjusted the lighting shining on the portrait to reveal an angel looking down on Baby Jesus. Just wonderful. These pictures hardly give it justice. Such a wonderful talent.

Noteable Quoteables

My kids have said the funniest things in the past few weeks. I've chosen my favorites and here they are:

Kalyn ~ situation: She attends MOPS (Moms of PreSchoolers) with me on Fridays and goes into a room where her teacher has recently had to quit. So, she's had to change rooms to another teacher.
Kalyn - Mom, what happened to my MOPS teacher? Did she die? She was old.
(The woman was around 60 or so. Apparently when older people disappear, they actually die.)

Trinity ~ situation: She went to a Christmas party for one of her friends where Santa showed up, told the kids what he had heard they had done during the year and passed out individual gifts (that the parents has dropped off at the party house prior to the party). Trinity received a Littlest Pet Shop animal to add to her collection of LPS.
Trinity - Wow, Mom. He knew I like Littest Pet Shops. I sure wish we believed in him.

Xander ~ situation: He's on a kick (that we're trying to break) of calling people stupid (or 'tupid in his language). Apparently he called one of his sisters "the ST word" which promptly came and told me.
Me: Xander, we do not call people stupid. You need to go tell them you are sorry, that they are not stupid and ask them to forgive you.
Xander: Yes Mommy.
Me: What are you going to say?
Xander: I sorry.
Me: You're sorry for what?
Xander: 'Cause you're 'tupid.
**All I have to say is YOU try keeping a straight face as you explain that's NOT what you said to say.

Those are my kids!!

Kid Trees

A few years ago, my mom and dad gave the kids their own individual trees. They are the perfect size for their rooms and come complete with their own ornaments. Mom cross-stitched ornaments and Dad put them together. The kids love the nights when we get to pull them out and decorate them. The trick is finding that one night when we have a night off to decorate all together.

This year, we thought that someone had lost one last year. So, we all sat down and let each child pick out one ornament to hang on their tree. Then the other two would find the same ornament. If they all hung their last ornament at the same time, we knew we were good. Thankfully, everyone had all their ornaments.

Thanks Mom and Dad for this special gift that brings smiles every year.

Kalyn's Christmas Program

We love the preschool musical programs. They are always so entertaining. Kalyn was great in her Christmas program. This year, she got to play the colored bells. If you knew the song they were playing, you could hear it. However, apparently Craig didn't check the program beforehand and when it was over, he said, "What song was that?" They were cute, though.

Kalyn sang her little heart out. It was so precious to watch. She is now a singing fool. Our house is truly an ongoing episode of Preschool Musical. Following the performance, we took a picture with her teachers, Ms. Bernadette and Ms. Lisa. They are great teachers and we love them!!!

Make-Over, Kalyn Style

Due to some miscommunication, Kalyn, Xander and I ended up staying at home Sunday night while Craig and Trinity were at church. Kalyn had been begging me to play with a make up set that she had been given for her birthday. I felt like this was the best opportunity for her to have her fun. So, I let her do a full make-up make-over on me. She had a blast and I loved giving her the chance to have such fun.

Maahvelous daahling, just maahvelous!!

Trinity's Christmas Solo

The children's choir sang with the adult choir during their Christmas performance on Sunday morning. Trinity was selected to sing a solo - the first verse of Away in a Manger. She did a great job. I was so proud of her. She was never nervous. I don't think that ever entered her mind. Here's her song.

Way to go, Trinity!!

Stone Mountain Christmas

For a few years, we have heard our friends rave about Stone Mountain Christmas. This year, we decided to join them and another set of friends on this excited excursion. So, right after Trinity's basketball game, we ran home, changed clothes and got on the road to Stone Mountain. Craig and I had the opportunity to go during the summer, but I don't think the kids had ever been. We got there a little early and did some browsing before we met up with our friends.

We travelled up to the top of the mountain on the Swiss cable car. As we were loading in the car, Craig and I realized that we weren't sure if the kids were scared of heights. We figured we'd find out right then. They enjoyed the trip up the mountain. Once we reached the top, the wind was so brisk and so cold. We got out to the edge, getting ready to take a picture when Xander realized then he needed to go potty. So, we made our way back to the building on the top and then made a second attempt at the family picture. Success. A great view from the mountaintop, but not one we wanted to relish when it was so cold. BRRRRRRRRR.

We then travelled to the Antebellum plantation and barnyard. The kids enjoyed getting to pet all the animals such as the sheep and goats. We got to speak to the worker in the barnyard and Kalyn said, "He's just like the shepherds when Jesus was born." Then we went inside the plantation house where the kids made their own decorative stars. Each room in the house was decorated for Christmas and included a plaque describing how each room was used. Very interesting.

Then we met up with the Thompsons and Worthingtons. We have all been friends since college. Frances, Brooke and I all transferred to Auburn at the same time and we really bonded. It is amazing to see how our friendships have stood such a test of time and distance. We were really looking forward to this time with them. The weather was forested to be bad and very cold, but since we had already purchased tickets online, we had to go. It turned out that we chose a perfect day. Apparently the bad weather had scared people away so it was very empty. Our friends kept turning to each other in disbelief of how empty it was!

Our whole group

All the kids in front of the amazing huge Christmas tree

The package we bought with our tickets included free unlimited hot chocolate. That came in VERY handy!!!

Adults and kids alike had a blast in the Big Red Barn. This three story building was a great place to run around, climb rope ladders and beam one another with foam balls. It began as a place to warm up a bit, but pretty soon we were taking off our coats because we were so hot. A great start.


We enjoyed a number of wonderful shows. They were very entertaining!! Our group often took up at least two rows. Our kids (all of them) were even chosen to be a part of one of the shows. It was fun to see them up there shaking their music makers and dancing with the songs. Trinity was selected to decorate the snowman in one show. What a privilege.

Once the sun went down, we got on the train for "The Gift". Throughout the ride, we got to see lots of Christmas lights and then it came. We stopped about half-way around the mountain base for a "visit" with an old-time cowboy. He told the true Christmas story - the birth of Jesus. It was amazing. That was the best thing about this whole day. Each event shared the Truth about Christmas without hesitation or apology. After being inundated with hiding the true meaning of Christmas the week prior, it was such a welcomed change.


The whole village was covered in lights. Trees were covered so tightly that you could barely see the bark. Buildings were lined in lights. It was just beautiful. The night ended with a trip from the Snow Angel Fireworks and Snowfall Celebration Finale. We had a great spot where the snow angel "flew" right over us. As the snow angel flew away, the amazing fireworks went off. It was a great ending.

Mistletoe!!

Three worn out munchins as we headed home!

It was an amazing day, filled with a great time with friends and our family. We are already looking forward to next year.