Welcome to our home!

I haven't OFFICIALLY joined the Mcklinky Christmas tour of homes, but all my FRIENDS can enjoy!

Come on in and grab a cup of hot cider and enjoy the warm fire (I wish - if only it wasn't 70 degrees outside)!

The Children's "friend" tree in the basement

Stockings hung by the banister with care!

I hope you enjoyed your tour - please come back!

Merry Christmas!

A Championship and Goodies!!!

Back to Saturday...we went to the Alabama Basketball game at noon, then came home to watch the SEC Championship game with our dear friends, the Roe's. We ate alot, laughed alot, played alot and cheered alot!!!!!

Dirty faces always mean something good, right?

I made this DELICIOUS concoction - it's just like Rice Krispy Treats, but you use Fruity Pebbles!!!! THEN - you use the most wonderful invention EVER -
This stuff had Ashley and I looking all over my kitchen for something else to dip - I even considered some old carrot sticks in the fridge - maybe THAT would get my children to eat them!!! It's SO Easy and SO yummy!!!!

Sorry, Ashley, I know you'll hate me for this picture - but it gets my point across - that stuff was SO good!

We had some sweet helpers, who were more than willing to taste test!!!!

The game wasn't too bad either!!!!

A big mess was made - which also means FUN was had!!!!

Then to add to the mess, the elves had a little fun of their own!!!!

Tonight we read The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg - a wonderful book, I highly recommend it for young (and old) children - tells both the Christmas and Easter story in a fun way!!!! We read this AFTER we hosted Will's work Christmas party at our house - it was lots of fun and Emma Claire and I scored a $10 Chick-fil-A gift card - both hers and my favorite (is that how you say that?)!!!!

The best part was when I was sitting on the couch chatting with some other women and I saw Henderson walking down the hall holding a LIT red candle!!!! I QUICKLY leaped up and rescued it from him and noticed nice red wax running down his chest and shirt collar!!!! He didn't seem to mind, so I don't guess it burned him, but OH MY!!!!

Right now I'm in bed and listening to the wind HOWL and the rain pour outside our window - the temperature is a Balmy 70 degrees and I'm wondering when the tornado sirens will begin going off????? My prayer tonight is for safety for ALL in the line of these storms.

Santa, singing, and more

We had our neighborhood Christmas party Sunday afternoon - a great time was had by all...

a Cake Walk! - Emma Claire and Wilson scored an AWESOME chocolate chip poundcake - yum yum!!!

Santa arrived and Wilson couldn't get out of his coat fast enough - I guess he thought he couldn't see Santa in a coat!

Off he went - chasing the Big Red Guy (who arrived in a Bronco by the way!!!)

Santa, be VERY VERY SCARED!!!!!

Wilson just cracks me up!!!!

Santa didn't even have a chance to unload his big sack full of presents!!!

Wilson kind of hogged the jolly ole guy!

I think Santa was wondering how much longer do I have to hold this little rascal?

Wilson told him what he wants - a Biceman and a sword (translated as "Ice Man" - from Spiderman and His Amazing Friends and a light saber sword!)

Emma Claire got her turn

And being the horrible mother I am, I sacrificed my youngest son to the Santa Terror!!!!

I'm not sure who is more scared, Santa or Henderson?

And, because a picture is worth a thousand words, I let Henderson endure his torture so I could get a picture of all 3 with Santa!!!!

Henderson did come away with a present, so all was good in the world again!

well, almost!

Some marshmallows were roasted on this cold cold day!

even more marshmallows were EATEN!!!!

Then, smelling like a campfire we headed to church for a beautiful worship service of the most precious voices EVER!!!! The 4 and 5 year old choirs sang a beautiful medley of Carol of the Bells (in which Emma Claire had a solo and ROCKED it!!!), Away in a Manger, One Starry Night, and All I Have.

Next weekend, Emma Claire sings All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth for the HUGE churchwide Christmas at First - at First Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa. There are 4 shows and Emma Claire sings at the 4 o'clock shows on both Saturday and Sunday. If you are local - please come - I know you will be blessed - It.Is. AWESOME!!!!

Lastly, the elves brought each child a free doughnut coupon from Krispy Kreme - my children LOVE doughnuts, so needless to say they were VERY happy!!!!

Tonight we are marching - YES Marching, in the Christmas Parade. Our good friend, Thad Turnipseed is running for State Senator and we are supporting him in his race and walking and riding along with them! The children are beside themselves about actually being IN the parade!!!