So Long, 2017!

Our Christmas break has been jammed pack with activities but at the same time, we have had just the right amount of down time to just take in the season. My parents took the kids to see The Star at the movie theater. The kids thought it was precious and from what I hear, the message of the Christmas story was proclaimed loud and clear.

The Bulldogs were playing in Jackson one night so we met up with my parents for some basketball. 

These two were thrilled to see their old pal Bully...their little sister....that's another story. She was terrified and spent 2/3 of the game in my lap gripping the railing in front of us. I'm not sure she even 

blinked. Bless her bones. 

Popcorn helped her relax just a smidge but she still kept her head on a swivel to ensure she knew the whereabouts of Bully and Seymour the Eagle at all times. 

Once we made it to Columbus, we were able to see some of our favorite friends!  The Nelsons offered to babysit all 3 Nelsons and all 3 Skaggs so we could go out to dinner. We so enjoyed our time together and the kids had a blast playing with their friends. I'm fairly certain the Nelsons slept well after taming this circus of a crew!

Also...please notice that we dressed alike for the occasion. Oops. 

Sweet little friends!

A true sign of a babysitting genius/elementary school teacher is when you can have all the children engaged in an activity at the same time without screaming and fighting. Well done, Nana.

We made our way to Starkville one day to play with the Gordons. We had fun catching up at their house before taking all the tiny humans to CFA.  Friends and  CFA always make for a good day.  It's only better when you can trade in the kids meal books for ice cream! Love these precious friends! 

We got a visit in with the Sykes too. They gave the kids a precious snowman craft for Christmas and they had the best time creating their masterpieces.

J and I got to sneak in a date night to the movie as well. We went to see The Greatest Showman and on my stars, it was excellent. We have been singing the songs non stop and now the kids have picked up on all of them as well. We will absolutely be purchasing the DVD when it is released!

We made it back home and got settled back in after our trip. Then it was time to cheer on our Bulldogs in the Gator Bowl (or whatever it is called now.) We went to Haley and Robert's to hang out and were pleasantly surprised that the Dawgs pulled out a victory. It was kind of annoying to listen to the announcers rattle on and on about the opposing quarterback. I get it. He is great but come on, the Dawgs weren't so shabby either! 

Well, I guess this about wraps up our holiday season. We are having quite the low key NYE which is just about perfect in my opinion.  We made it to the end of another year and it's been a good one. One of my favorite things about this blog is that each year, I make a blog book that is our family's scrapbook. I used to go all out making scrapbooks....but then life with three kids happened so this is the best I have to offer😂.  It makes me happy to flip through the pages and pages of happenings our family has experienced over the last several years. It's just another reminder of the Lord's faithfulness and grace given to us. So with that, so long 2017!  Let's see what 2018 has in store!

Christmas in Columbus

We made it to Columbus by mid afternoon on Christmas Day.  Sadly, our sister in law wasn't feeling well so she, my brother in law and our nephews were not able to join us.  We had a big time opening gifts but we missed having the rest of our crew with us.

W got a super cool police Lego set. With the help of his big sister, the 900 piece masterpiece was completed in no time and he was ready for action.

EK worked on her pottery wheel.  She is so proud!

She did some baking as well. 

I love a picture in front of a Christmas tree!

If it makes noise, W is a fan!

 By  the end of our time in Columbus, my sister in law was feeling better so they were able to come for a quick visit before we headed back home.

It was so cold but the kids didn't seem to mind! 

Uncle Ren shared a very elaborate story with W about the peg leg pirate that lives in the woods by his house. It was quite the tale complete with a wild cast of characters. I can guarantee that W will remember every single detail. I hope Ren can. 

Thank you Nana and Pop for an amazing Christmas!

Christmas Morning

The kids provided us with their earliest wake up call in a while. We did it to ourselves when we taped up the doorway to the living room from their side of the house! 

Freedom!

The kids checked out their swag and got to work playing with all of it.

We played for a bit, ate breakfast and then headed over to my parents house for more Christmas fun. 

My little elves were about to explode for their grandparents to open their gifts. 

They were so proud of the nativity sets they painted for their grandmothers. Each child painted a different piece. I'm pretty in love with these!

I think G liked his water color from our Yogi Bear camping adventure! 

I don't  know what I was thinking  when I purchased this gift but W is over the moon with his new microphone/speaker thing. We had quite the Christmas performance from this guy and his sisters. 

We had the best time celebrating with my parents. After lunch, it was time to take this wild bunch north to continue the festivities with the Nelsons.