December

December 2012

 Merry Christmas! From the Macdonalds.

For the first time, possibly ever, I sent out Christmas cards. This was our family picture we sent out.

For a family activity we drove through McAdenville which is officially "Christmastown, USA". All the homes in town are decorated on some level as well as all the public areas. People drive through the small town with their windows down admiring the lights and shouting "Merry Christmas" to each other. 

Isaac's favorite toy is a dollar store soldier helmut, sword and shield. He runs around the house making sword sounds and looking intimidating. 

I really liked the neighbor gifts I did this year. I have a feeling these "cookies in a jar" are going to become popular (darn it). They are so cute and easy to make. Plus they store well, deliver well and they are delicious. 

For the past 6 (I think) years we've gotten together with our "North Carolina Family", the Abbotts and Smiths, for Christmas dinner. This year it was my turn to host and I choose to do it Christmas Eve. 

I love decking the house with candles and lighting them all.

My "sisters". Kristin and Sandy.

After dinner the kids decorated cookies for Santa.

Sandy, Kristin and I gathered round the piano to sing some carols. Addilyn even accompanied us on the piano while we sang "The 12 Days of Christmas". She did amazingly well.

After, we all gathered round while Rob read from Luke.

The kids acted the story out with the nativity figures.

When friends went home we opened our Christmas pajama's and hurried off to bed .

Here's the before picture.

Christmas morning.

Isaac opening his stocking.

Alex got his guitar from Santa and some Walkie Talkie's from dad.

Addilyn got the password journal she requested and a CD player that she didn't request but was thrilled to have.

Maycie got her art supplies.

Isaac got some Imaginex planes.

Maycie gave her first oil on canvas painting to dad. 

The girls also got rollerblades.

The kids' favorite part of Christmas (besides the presents) is Christmas breakfast. They look forward to the cinnamon rolls, breakfast meats, egg nog and hot chocolate with candy canes.

Give Thanks November

So much to be thankful for.

Noah, Alex and Kiah compounding the leaves in the trash can.

 I can't resist taking a picture of a sleeping baby. They are so angelic.

Alex's Thanksgiving preschool program. His indian name: "Catching Lizard", apparently given to him by his teacher after catching a lizard at school.

Lot's of baking went on this November.

After he wowed everyone with his candy and cookie turkeys last year he attempted to stake his claim to most domestic dad again and succeeded. He perfected two creations this year. The first was a delicious bread pudding. I had never cared for bread pudding before, but his was the perfect combination of decadence and comfort food. His other creation was a white chocolate pumpkin cheese cake in a gingersnap crust. YUM! Way to get in touch with your domestic side, Rob.

Thanksgiving morning we had our neighbor's, the McGoverns, over for breakfast. The menu: PIE! I'm usually too full Thanksgiving night to fully enjoy pie for dessert. It was fantastic for breakfast. My favorite to make and eat is my caramel apple pie. 

The kids made their own pies to eat. Addilyn choose apple, Maycie blueberry (of course) and Alex pumpkin.

Isaac thought the pie was okay, but mostly liked the whipped cream.

Thanksgiving dinner at the Abbotts house with lots of friends and LOTS of food. 

The party included us, the Abbotts, the Smiths, the Yandows and Julie Sandidge. 

Maycie enjoying coloring the kid's table.

Sandy's beautiful centerpiece for the Adult table.

Thanksgiving weekend we took the kids to a farm to cut down a Christmas tree. We didn't end up cutting a tree from the farm (we didn't like any of them), but we enjoyed a picnic, farm animals and the zip line.

Later that weekend, we had our "Deck the Halls" party. The kids got to pick out their ornaments for the year. Maycie choose a crystal - she likes pretty things. Addilyn choose a Harry Potter ornament since she's been reading the books this year. Alex choose a guitar since that's what he asked Santa for. Isaac got Mickey Mouse ears since we made our first family trip to Disney World this year.

Addilyn reading the letter from "Christmas", our elf.

Addilyn also requested an "Elf on the Shelf". She sent a letter to Santa with one of the neighbor's elves.  A few days later an elf appeared at our house. The kids voted to call her "Christmas". Every morning she would be in a new location and be holding up either a smiley face or frowney face based on the kids behavior from the day before. It was a pretty effective warning system. The kids were terrified that the elf might give Santa a bad report.