We've been in full swing for the month of December. We captured this sweet tree that wasn't for sale. I think the nice owner of the tree farm thought we truly were the Griswalds. The kids enjoyed picking it out. Above, Ben is trying to escape Lillee's hold. This is just a preface to the holiday season. We're still trying to catch up with him.Thanksgiving weekend was filled with excitement as Lillee performed in her 4th Nutcracker. She and Ellee were so excited to be soldiers and polichinelles. They were awesome and total troopers as they performed in 6 shows. Bethany was a beauty as always, gorgeous and graceful.
The season was celebrated with many parties with great friends.
My mom helped me make these fun bags. We had so much fun. I think Pinterest has sparked my creativity. We ordered pizzas for friends, I bagged up salad and M & Ms and off we went on our Christmas deliveries. It was so great seeing families open their doors, accept their pizzas and wave Merry Christmas! Just as I had envisioned. It really helped that the children were able to be a part of it and feel the spirit of giving.
Our elf, Carlo, had a few tricks up his sleeve as he made a barricade outside of Baxter's room. He picked a night that Lillee slept on the top bunk so they could both wake up to his shenanigans.
This "Ho Ho" was $4.99 at CVS and worth every penny. On one of our weekly trips to purchase AVENT 0-6 month pacifiers Ben chose this Santa to come home with us. He barely made it through the season.
Lillee, Baxter and Scott received sleeping bags from Santa. I think that was Santa's way of saying mommy and Ben will stay home while those three take off on a camping expedition. Scott and Baxter would've loved to have these bags in north Georgia in November!
Claire Ann took the kiddos to Atlanta Motor Speedway to look at lights in December while we had people here. It was so nice to have dinner at home with friends instead of going out. We were really able to talk and hang out and I think the food was much more delicious than a restaurant! The kiddos had a blast and were pooped by the time they got home.
Scott and I attempted to take them looking at lights. I think they definitely had more fun with Claire Ann. Piper was not amused at the blow ups!
Ben's sweet hat from Nana.
This December weather has been AMAZING!
I was feeling a little ambitious and tried this craft with Lillee's class. Wow. I'll think twice before attempting this. Pinterest seemed to have some more simple crafts.
They did turn out super cute though.
We took a trip to Callaway Gardens to spend the night and see the lights. It was lots of fun, especially because our favorite 16 year old was with us!
Someone got a new lens from Santa!
Our annual Christmas Eve Happy Birthday to Jesus party. We had a wonderful service at FBC Griffin then headed home to have cake with the Long family. My parents were also here so it made it extra special for everyone to gather together and remember the reason we have Christmas and reflect upon the season. It's always a special time we share with them and are so grateful to count them as our family.
Baxter was full of love for Gray.
After cake and REAL Cokes, Ben made a bee-line to NORAD Santa. I think he was in South America at this point. Ben, please go to bed!
Ben's Christmas party at FBC preschool and his only day attending in December.
The 2011 Christmas season was truly enjoyable and low stress. We checked out a book from the library at church called Looking Forward to the Nativity. We used it last year as well. As a big surprise, we received one in the mail from my mother so that we could return ours to the church and others could enjoy it. It is an awesome book. It has a devotion, a passage from the Bible and a family activity. Four stars.
The season was celebrated with many parties with great friends.
Parties with school friends
My mom helped me make these fun bags. We had so much fun. I think Pinterest has sparked my creativity. We ordered pizzas for friends, I bagged up salad and M & Ms and off we went on our Christmas deliveries. It was so great seeing families open their doors, accept their pizzas and wave Merry Christmas! Just as I had envisioned. It really helped that the children were able to be a part of it and feel the spirit of giving. 
Our elf, Carlo, had a few tricks up his sleeve as he made a barricade outside of Baxter's room. He picked a night that Lillee slept on the top bunk so they could both wake up to his shenanigans.
This "Ho Ho" was $4.99 at CVS and worth every penny. On one of our weekly trips to purchase AVENT 0-6 month pacifiers Ben chose this Santa to come home with us. He barely made it through the season. 
Lillee, Baxter and Scott received sleeping bags from Santa. I think that was Santa's way of saying mommy and Ben will stay home while those three take off on a camping expedition. Scott and Baxter would've loved to have these bags in north Georgia in November!
Claire Ann took the kiddos to Atlanta Motor Speedway to look at lights in December while we had people here. It was so nice to have dinner at home with friends instead of going out. We were really able to talk and hang out and I think the food was much more delicious than a restaurant! The kiddos had a blast and were pooped by the time they got home.
Scott and I attempted to take them looking at lights. I think they definitely had more fun with Claire Ann. Piper was not amused at the blow ups!
Ben's sweet hat from Nana.
This December weather has been AMAZING!
I was feeling a little ambitious and tried this craft with Lillee's class. Wow. I'll think twice before attempting this. Pinterest seemed to have some more simple crafts.
They did turn out super cute though.
Santa 2010 - Ben didn't like the big guy a year ago!
or 2011
We took a trip to Callaway Gardens to spend the night and see the lights. It was lots of fun, especially because our favorite 16 year old was with us!
Someone got a new lens from Santa!
Our annual Christmas Eve Happy Birthday to Jesus party. We had a wonderful service at FBC Griffin then headed home to have cake with the Long family. My parents were also here so it made it extra special for everyone to gather together and remember the reason we have Christmas and reflect upon the season. It's always a special time we share with them and are so grateful to count them as our family.
Baxter was full of love for Gray.
After cake and REAL Cokes, Ben made a bee-line to NORAD Santa. I think he was in South America at this point. Ben, please go to bed!
Ben's Christmas party at FBC preschool and his only day attending in December.
The 2011 Christmas season was truly enjoyable and low stress. We checked out a book from the library at church called Looking Forward to the Nativity. We used it last year as well. As a big surprise, we received one in the mail from my mother so that we could return ours to the church and others could enjoy it. It is an awesome book. It has a devotion, a passage from the Bible and a family activity. Four stars. 