Christmas Excitement

Another new thing we tried this year was attending the Charleston Chamber Orchestra Kids Concert on Wednesday. They played lots of sing along songs and told Christmas Stories. The presentation ended with cookies, punch and a balloon for all - we thought it was a great experience and hope to go again next year!

Alyssa made a special friend and had front row seats for the singing of Frosty the Snowman.

Alyssa kept getting in the washer - I called it Christmas excitement. I kept trying to get her out but Drew encouraged it - whatever! This is Wednesday and Christmas comes on Friday - this girl can hardly contain herself!

Alyssa took this one of Drew - the Andersons, always in their pajamas!

Christmas Cookies for Santa

Since we were not travelling for Christmas this year (YIPPEE!!!) we had time to start some Christmas traditions of our own. One we borrowed from my Mom is making Christmas Cookies for Santa. This was an ALL day project - making the dough, letting it chill, cutting the cookies, decorating the cookies and EATING the cookies! Alyssa told me around 3:00 p.m. that she needed a break, I had worn her out! I won, I won - the first day of Alyssa's FIRST Christmas break and I had won! : )

We had a lot of fun together and the cookies turned out pretty well, most of them, we even left a few for Santa and he liked them too!

A few of the first ones got a little burned on the edges - nothing some blue frosting wouldn't fix!

YUM!

Santee Christmas

Our Christmas celebrations started this year in Santee, SC with a gathering of Drew's Mom's family. With three photographers in the family now we have LOTS of pictures to share for Christmas - hope you don't get bored, we tried to break it up as best we could! Above Aunt Lisa and Alyssa trying to get Miller to smile at the camera - he is more interested in Ho, ho!

Great, Great Aunt Lynda, Alyssa and Granny Lynda trying to solve the money puzzle game. Alyssa finally solved it Christmas Eve!

Great Aunt Missy and Kim cheesing it up for the camera.

The whole gang! Uncle Jim and Aunt Missy, Kim, Drew and Alyssa, Clay, Lisa and Miller with Uncle Chevy, Granny and Aunt Lynda. We all had a great time, good food and made some new memories!

The Sounds of Christmas

This morning we were serenaded by more than a hundred Kindergartners. Their program was great; they could really sing loud and all were dressed in their Christmas finest. Alyssa is hard to see, but she is on the second row, second from the right, on the right side of the stage.

They did quite a few songs and used various props.

Miss Charming up closer with her gift she made for us.

The hand prints always get me and I found myself misty-eyed. A gift we will always treasure. We'll be using it for Santa's cookies this year!

We wish you and your families the BEST Christmas ever!

Silly, Fun and Love

It's that time of year when you need to just get SILLY, have some FUN and share LOVE!

Alyssa with her pink hair having a Silly String firght with her Dada in the front yard.

Alyssa enjoying the Charleston Christmas Parade with the neighbor boys. How do you get five children to look at the camera at the same time - FUN was had by all!

Sharing LOVE - my two favorite girls!

Thanksgiving Journey

The A Team's Thanksgiving Journey started when we picked up "Flowering Meadow" from school on Tuesday, the Kindergartners in her school looked adorable and Alyssa was another of the cutest blond hair, blue-eyed, Native Americans running around James Island! We spent the evening in Saluda at Nana and Vuvva's which always includes feeding the goats in the morning . . .



Alyssa petting Chocolate Chip

Alyssa petting Nana :)

Then we decided to have lunch at the Beacon, we thought Alyssa would enjoy the experience and trip back through time. She just thought it was loud!

Drew's Heart Attack on a Plate, so much for eating healthy this holiday season!

In Morganton, we feasted again and were honored to have Flowering Meadow join us and say the blessing for our Noon meal.

Flowering Meadow "testing" the desserts.

Our feast was delicious and called for all of us to take a nap shortly afterwards. Once we were all awake (does this kid ever sleep?) we helped Eya and Poppy decorate their Christmas Tree.

Beautiful photography, Drew.

Lots of time for sweet hugs.

On Friday, Alyssa was Chief in Charge of constructing the Gingerbread House.

Is that green frosting on her lip?

On Saturday we said goodbye to the Ellisons, including Tipper, and headed to Granny's.

Sweetheart Alyssa picked Granny some flowers. they were dandelions but the only thing blooming close by, it's still the thought that counts, right?

Granny is ready for Christmas! We had such a nice journey and though we traveled quite a few miles it was wonderful to get to see all the parents and grandparents. We are thankful indeed for such sweet times!

Scooby

Our 16 year old kitty has gone over the Rainbow Bridge. He had not been doing very well for a few days and on the way to the Vet he had a seizure and had to be put to sleep. We will miss him but he had good long life. The photo above after he had his "Senior Care" bath. The video, when he was more lively was taken in June around his 16th Birthday. RIP Scooby Dooby!