Snow Day

When it snows in NC school is cancelled, in fact if they even mention that there might be snow they cancel school. So, in our 4 inches of snowfall the kids attempted to jump on the trampoline, make snow angels, have a snowball fight, and my favorite was their desperate attempt to make a snowman. McKay was sent outside with 2 green M&Ms for the eyes and 7 red M&Ms for the mouth. He decided that he didn't like snowmen with mouths.

Savannah's Baptism

Christmas was a great day for our family. Not only did we get to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ but we also celebrated the birth of our daughter Savannah. She has been a shining star in our family and once again set a great example to her siblings by being baptized on her 8th birthday as a new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints.

It's a Boy!

Just thought I would mention it in case anyone was left in suspense.

Christmas at home

Here are the kids on Christmas morning waiting to go downstairs and see if Santa visited our home.

My hands have never been so free! Well, not in a long time anyway. The first day of Papa's visit he spent a little time warming up to Joleigh by reading her a book. From that day on, anytime Joleigh saw Papa she would point and say "Papa" and then searched the room for the same book, took it to him and said "up". She then took her place on his lap and I was free at last.

Emmett spends... lets just say he spends a portion of his living hours in time out. Joleigh has decided that during this time she needs to put herself in time out too.

Santa at Hunter Farms

I love my parents and I was very happy they came for a week to spend Christmas with us... well, really to see Savannah's baptism... she picked a great day to be born. Along with making gingerbread houses, almond rocha, frosting cookies, lots of cooking, eating, and cleaning, we also visited Santa at Hunter Farms down the road. We went for a very bumpy ride on a horse-pulled wagon, fed more farm animals, and sat on Santa's lap, yes even me, but I won't post that picture.

Joleigh, Michelle, Nana, and Savannah

Papa, McKay, Emmett, TJ

Savannah spent more time petting the Clydesdales than feeding the animals. She was impressed by how large they were up close.




Joleigh and Santa won't be friends for another year.

Jo was a little shocked at how aggressive the sheep were when she tried to feed them. She did like feeding the animals but she really enjoyed chasing the multipoo dog around the farm.

Piano Recital

Savannah and McKay had a very looong Christmas piano recital on December 4th. I love their piano teacher, Miss Wortha. She has been playing for 50 years and teaching for 30 years. Savannah played and sang "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town", I was privleged to hold the microphone so I wasn't able to take more pictures of her.



McKay played "Joy to the World" and "Merry, Merry Christmas". They were both so proud of their accomplishments as you can tell from McKay's face when he ended his piece.

Boots

Joleigh has a new discovered infatuation with shoes, boots in particular. She's 18 months (Yeah Nursery!) and she now has the motorskills to take them on and off.

Backyard

The kids are always having fun when Dad's around. Unfortunately, I can't always guarantee their safety when they are with him.

Santa's Forrest

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from a tree farm we found called "Santa's Forrest". We were able to carry on the tradition of cutting our own tree, which also included free hot chocolate, popcorn, feeding farm animals, a hay ride, a treasure hunt, and a play area made from hay bales. The people running the farm lived next door and were the good ol' southern folk that sat around the fire pit outside and talked to the customers as if they were family. I absolutely loved that place and I'm sure we'll go every year as long as we are in NC.