fun day

We were happy to have Kylie spend the night with us. This morning after breakfast we went to the Opryland Hotel to see the decorations and walk around. I think the girls had a good time. Hunter just wanted to get in the water. The girls wanted Wendy's for lunch, so that is were we went. We came home and the girls played a little longer while Hunter napped.







Tonight we went to have dinner with the Bussell's and see all the work they have done in their new house. It looks great. We had a great time visiting with them. We have missed there not being at our house. Derrick and Jeremy did a little work while we were there and Hunter thought he needed to help. Allison got out Cooper's little power tools and Hunter thought they were really neat. He knew exactly what to do with them. Thanks for having us over. We had a great time.



Hannah wanted to make cookies for Santa. I thought that would be a good project for her and Dad. They made the dough with a little help from Hunter. We will roll it out and cut out cookies tomorrow. She is so excited.

spreading Christmas joy

I took the kids to see Mrs. Estock this afternoon. She was our neighbor at our old house. She had only seen pictures of Hunter and had not seen Hannah since we moved. I send her pictures all the time, but she said there is nothing like seeing them in person. I talked to Hannah on the way there and told her to please use her manners and she did! She talked to Mrs. Estock like they saw each other everyday. Hunter went right to her, sat in the lap, hugged her and tried to talk to her. She was very happy to get her present from us, a calendar of the kids. Hannah sat with her and told her about each picture. She had a bear for Hannah and a monkey for Hunter. She is a sweet lady and I really miss her. She tells me every time I talk to her that she will never get over us moving, but that she knows we are happy in our new house. I am glad we could bring some joy to her day.

Christmas decorations

I am happy to have the all the stars. I got those for my birthday.

Hannah loves this mailbox from Aunt Debbie. She checks it often to see if there are letters in it. Maybe Santa will leave her a letter in it.
After pulling the tree over on himself once Hunter has done great not touching the big tree. He touches the tree in his room and the one in Hannah's, but over has done well. He has only broken 3 ornaments. There will be a post soon about the day I tired to decorate with both kids here all by myself. I am behind since probably August, but I hope to catch up before January.

MeMe we wanted you to see the decorations since you did not get to come and visit. : )

Hunter

I need to be cooking dinner, but had to write this down before I forget. Hunter just makes me laugh and I am amazed at what he understands and can do at almost 21 months. I gave him some trash to throw away, which he loves to do. He threw it away and came back in the living room to color, which he also loves to do. The trashcan lid popped open. He looked up and said, "Daddy!' He thought it was the door opening. I told him no Daddy is not home the lid to the trashcan just popped open. He jumped up and as he ran to the dinning room to look at the door he said, "Papa!" I told him no it was not Papa either. He said, "Oh" and went back to coloring. He has his overalls on today, like Papa. When I got them out of the closet he said, "Papa." He is so much fun, but sure does keep me busy.

cookies for Santa

Hannah thought that Santa would like a plate that had his picture on it for his cookies. She is still trying to decide what kind of cookies we should leave for Santa. I told her she has until Friday to decide.

Hunter was in the bed already so he did not make the picture. I think he will just want to eat the cookies for Santa.

a little Christmas, early

Papa and Uncle Kyle came in this weekend for Uncle Kyle's doctors appointment on Monday. Nana and Papa bought Hunter a fun present that they knew would be too big for us to bring back with us from SC. Smart thinking Nana and Papa to bring it early because Hunter would have been very sad to leave his "deer" behind. He can say horse and make a horse noise, but points at the horse and says deer. He loved it!!! Hannah was happy to get her Aurora bath doll and more footed pj's. Papa also delivered Christmas from Great Papa. Aunt Kaye had already bought the kids Christmas, which was sweet of her. She loved my kids even though she did not get to see them but a couple of times a year. I am sure Nana and Great Papa kept her up to date about them. We were sad that Nana could not be here but were glad we were able to do a video chat with her so she could be with us. Thanks Nana and Papa for the fun presents.

a Christmas of firsts

We are making some changes this year for Christmas. Some are for good and some are for just this year, I hope.

The first big change is that we will spend Christmas in TN as just a family of 4. We will not go to SC to have Christmas with our extended family until after Christmas day. That is huge for us. We have lived in TN for 8 years and have always gone back to SC for Christmas. Derrick and I thought it was time to start some traditions with our family and feel that Hannah is old enough now to understand Santa and we want to make that fun for her and Hunter. I am excited and sad at the same time. I love spending time with our families and change is hard. This is also our first Christmas without Ma Dot. We have some fun things planned to do with the kids that we hope to make Christmas traditions at our house. I will be sure to blog about them.

The change that I hope is for just this year, is that we will not be sending out a Christmas card. Derrick has worked a lot, which we are thankful for, and we have not had time to schedule getting the picture made, printed, and ready to mail. Doing our Christmas card is a big production and takes a lot of time. I am very sad not to have a card to send out this year, but that is just where we are at this point in our lives. Hopefully that means next year our card will be even better. I did not want people to think we had taken them off the list or that we forgot to send them one. I know not everyone reads the blog, but the ones of you who do can you please pass the word to your family and friends who usually get a card from us.

Change is hard, but good and needed at times. I am looking forward to spending this next week with Derrick, Hannah and Hunter. I hope to update daily about any fun activities we do as a family.

We wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

prizes from Mike & Nene

Thanks Mike and Nene for the ornaments. Hannah put one on the big tree and one on her tree. Hunter put both of his on his tree. He said, "mine." I love the big Santa ornament. I will have to take a picture of it on the tree.

Happy Birthday to Me

I turned 31 today. I have to admit it was a little easier than turning 30. I had a wonderful day. I feel so loved, special, blessed, etc. I was spoiled today for sure, hot chocolate to start the day, my own mini cake from Homestyle, flowers, lots of text, Facebook messages, phone calls, cards, a cake and presents complete with balloons and singing, and treats at Bible study from the girls. What a wonderful day. Thanks everyone for making me feel so loved and special. I have to best family and friends in the world. I am sad that I did not take a picture of my beautiful flowers. They were a wonderful surprise.

Polar Express Day

I am blessed to work with such wonderful ladies. There are not too many jobs that allow to wear your pj's to work. I am glad I have a job that does.