December Highlights

We have had a fun and very busy month of December. We started with Lindsie and Mallory's Winter dance recital. It is always so much fun to watch my girls dance. They really love it and you can tell how much they enjoy it.

Cutest dance ever -- the little girls were all teddy bears and were supposed to pretend to fall asleep. We were pretty sure Mallory really fell asleep, she was quite convincing.

Rick and I decided to be spontaneous one weekend when we realized the Chickenfoot band was playing in Vegas. Chickenfoot is a band formed by Rick's favorite musicians, Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Chad Smith, and I forgot the other guy's name. Rick has been dying to see them in concert. He and Brent got the wild idea to have us drive down and meet in Vegas for the show.

We got there just in time for dinner before the concert started

Rick and Brent were so excited to see the show... they were acting like little kids on Christmas morning! Melissa and I were laughing at them. I'm sure we would have been acting the same way if we were going to see our favorite: Billy Joel.

Lindsie had a great basketball season. This is the second year she has played on an all girls team. She absolutely loves to play and does a great job, especially on defense. She sure can get in there and steal the ball.

It was my turn to host the Christmas Bunco party! We always love getting together and NOT playing bunco. We take a break from the dice and just visit, laugh our heads off, eat, and do a gift exchange. Oh, and we wear our cozy pajamas.

Me and Lisa

Holly, Minette, and Melanie

Heather, Tara, Melissa, and Susan (trying to be in the pic too)

Lisa and Liz

Melissa and Susan (trying NOT to laugh)

Justyn, Patrece, and Kim showing off their cute new scarves

The Hat we fought over

Sorry, Tara! I know you really wanted it.

We decided it looked cutest on Melissa.

Time for a group picture everyone!

The trick was watching me as I tried to run and jump in the picture before the timer went off. The first few tries, I didn't have much time. We must have tried five or six times before I figured out to change the timer to wait longer. We were all laughing so hard

Here are a few of our attempts:

Finally!

The polka-dot sistas!



School Singing Program

Grandma Murdoch's ornament hanging!

We get together every year and hang an ornament on the Christmas tree to honor our wonderful Grandma Murdoch. We love her so much and miss her, especially at Christmas time.

Cameron nearly pulled over the whole tree!


Red was my grandma's FAVORITE color!

So Mallory, being funny Mallory, is trying to make sense of what we are doing. "So, mom, since great grandma Murdoch is dead she can't hang her own ornament on the tree, so she wants us to do it for her????"

My new Hutch! This is my Christmas present from my wonderful husband. I got to design it, with a little help from my "decorating" friends. I love it so much and it looks perfect in my house. Thanks Rick, I love you.

How's that for a busy month! Now we just have one more thing left......Christmas!

Breakfast With Santa

Every year we start the Christmas festivities at Hogle Zoo for breakfast with Santa. Rick's parents are so nice every year to get tickets and put this together. We have tried other venues, and decided that the Zoo is by far the best one. It is completely catered to the kids and they keep it very small and personal. This year as we walked in Santa and Mrs. Clause immediately recognized our family and asked how Eddie the Elf was doing this year! How great is that!

Mallory was so happy to see Mrs. Clause. They bonded a few years ago and Mal loves to hang out with her.
Santa told Mallory she is on the "nice" list this year. She is asking for a barbie doll house and the barbie camper. I have a feeling she has Santa wrapped around her little finger!

Lindsie is asking for an IPOD and new clothes.


Troy wants an XBOX 360 and a Razor Power Wing Bike

The kids made a cute ornament in the arts and crafts room

Mallory's new Bff's: Mrs. Clause and Peppermint the elf. Peppermint told Mallory she would go back to the North Pole and get started on the "poofy skirt" she is asking for.

They read stories to the kids. I love it because there aren't a million kids trying to fight for Santa's time. There were maybe 15 kids there, so each kid has as much time as they want to mingle with Santa and his helpers.

One last hug before we leave.

Grampa and the kids

We walked around the zoo and saw all the animals. It was fun to see them all out in the winter.

I couldn't resist..... We were laughing so hard at this giraffe showing off his "better side" He was just standing there like that forever.

After the zoo, we went to Grandma and Grandpa's to celebrate Christmas. This is the first year they won't be home with us. They are going back to Washington DC to be with David, Lisa and cute little Bodie. We will miss them being here, but we had fun celebrating an early Christmas. It was just like Christmas morning. The front room filled with presents and the table all set for lunch!

It's not Christmas without Grandma's sugar cookies!

Troy was so excited to get his Derron William's jersey. He has wanted one for a long time.

He also got a spy gear set. Watch out, Troy is now officially a spy!

Lindsie and Mallory both got new Christmas dresses! Mallory loved her new soft coat and went around asking everyone if they wanted to "pet" her. She was irresistable! Lindsie had her eye on that gold dress for months and told me constantly how much she wanted it.

The best part was at the end of the day when I went to say goodnight to Mallory. She was all bundled up in her new cozy coat Grandma got her. Yes, she slept like this all night long!

Before I went to bed, I walked in her room and she was sound asleep and snoring.


Merry Christmas:

We are so blessed to have such wonderful children and such great family all around us. I am constantly reminded how blessed we are at this time in our lives. I am so grateful for my family and the time we get to spend together. I hope I am creating memories for my children that they will hold on to forever.