Christmas Eve and Morning 2011

Being home on Christmas Eve and morning is a tradition that Ben and I wanted to start when we had kids. Even though Jack & Max don't comprehend that "Santa is coming" we still both want to have the memories of being in our home. This home on Turrentine is already very special to me because we brought Jack & Max home from the hospital here and we plan on living here as long as God has planned for us!
We started off Christmas morning showing the boys one of their gifts from Ben's parents which was a wonderful big slide that is in our playroom. They were very excited because they love playing on the slides at the church and our gym.


Captain Jack and Max

We then went downstairs to see what Santa brought. Coco and JJ gave the boys leather chairs with their names on them and they have really enjoyed sitting in them in their playroom. Some of their favorite gifts were a talking Woody, (Santa only brought one so a second was purchased the VERY next day!) a Wonder Pets fly boat, Star Wars figurines and legos. The joy of Christmas with children is so very special and I am thankful for the memories in the past and for the ones yet to happen!

Blessed with GREAT friends!

Rose, Me, Kelli and Holly at Holiday Club Ball

Claire, Alli, Holly, Amy and me before Santa Claus

2 sets of BFF's. Holly, Farrah, me and Catherine at Bal D'or
Just a post with recent pictures with special friends!

Fun with Friends!

The month of December was just fun! We attended Christmas parties, birthday parties, friend get-togethers and spent time with family! I am always a little sad when Christmas is over, but in January we are going to Las Vegas and back to Disney World in February so there is plenty to look forward to!

On Tuesday, December 6th Amy Gladden opened up her beautiful new home for our Service Guild Christmas Party. It was such a wonderful evening and many past Presidents were able to join us. Here I am with Amy next year's President and Alie Causey president 2009-2010.



On Thursday, December 8th my Circle group at church went to dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant in Jacksonville called Effina's. Gadsden's only Italian restaurant closed recently (I'm sure it had nothing to do with us eating there a few days before and having 6 adults and 8 children) so it is a rare treat. We exchanged ornaments and my best friend Jenny and I both bought the same one at the Peppermint Pony. So, I was able to steal "My" ornament back without going home with my own. It was such a wonderful evening of girl talk and reflecting on how blessed our group is to have such great, Christian friends.

Christmas Card 2011

I knew that is was going to be really, really hard to get a picture of all four of us this year! I like to have us all in the picture if I can knowing this would be very challenging. My friend Holly took on the daunting task of trying to capture my sweet family. Well...it turned out great and probaby my favorite pic today of all of us. Holly...you are HIRED!!!

Thanksgiving 2011

This was a wonderful Thanksgiving and it was especially nice because I didn't have to cook! :) Since our kitchen is under construction we decided to eat at the Country Club and it was absolutelly delicious. Mimi, Coco and JJ joined us and it was a nice lunch, but I'm looking forward to our traditional Thanksgiving meal returning next year. We had such a fun time visiting with Mimi and my two little men loved spending time with all of our families. Thanksgiving Day while the boys were napping Ben and JJ took me shooting! Yes, with a shotgun. I know that that doesn't sound like me, but I LOVED it! It was really cool shooting skeet and my dad called me Annie Oakley because I did a pretty good job.

Friday morning we got up very early and drove to Lake Oconee to have Thanksgiving with Ben's side of the family. There were over 20 people there and the boys had a great day running around and getting some delicious food. Friday lunch was for Ben's mom side of the family. She is one of five so we got to visit with lots of aunts, uncles and cousins and had a very nice day.

Now...it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Fun December Weekend!

Cheering on Georgia at the SEC championship game!

Rose, me, Kelli and Holly---a few of my dear, sweet friends!

Date night! Love Ben in a tuxedo! :)

This is my favorite time of year. I just love the anticipation of Christmas and the joy that it brings in our lives. This past weekend was such a fun, memorable weekend starting off with a Holiday Party and ending with dinner with some of our best friends.

Friday night Ben and I were presented as new members in Gadsden's Holiday Club. This is one of the many dance clubs in town. Prior to the party, we ate dinner at the Country Club with some of our friends. Gigi babysat all four kids Jack, Max, Lilly and Brody and as soon as Lilly walked in Max immediately began saying "Lilly, Lilly, Lilly!" It was so precious that he was so happy she was there!

On Saturday morning we headed to Atlanta for the SEC championship. Georgia played really well in the first half, but LSU turned it on in the 3rd quarter and Georgia just couldn't keep it together. Either way, this has been such a great season for Georgia and Ben and I got to go to many games this year. Thank you Gigi for literally keeping the boys ALL DAY so Ben and I could go!

Sunday we went to church and took the boys to eat at Gadsden's new Zaxby's...I know most towns have had these for a long time, but we are excited that we have one now. After lunch, Holly and I went to a shower for a friend of ours Claire who is getting married next June 2012. It was a beautiful day and the hostesses served four different kinds of cakes which I thought was such a neat idea. That evening we all had dinner together which is never,ever dull. People look at you a little crazy when you say 4 adults and 4 kids, but that's ok...



Life is just great! Sometimes I stop and pinch myself at how blessed I am to have my two little boys, husband, our families and such special friends in our lives.