Christmas Hangover 2013

Not so bad in this house...Imaginext, as always, was a huge hit. Our favorite thing to do is set up all our castles, perch some nights at the top, and use some of our very dangerous/super stealth-like weapons to destroy them (a.k.a. knock them down and then set them right up again). I do love watching and listening to this boy's imagination during these theatrical sessions. 

Next up (and my personal fave), the Magna-Tiles. We've had the starter set of 100 since last Christmas, but always seemed to battle for them during our after dinner build-offs. Now, thanks to Gigi, we may have friendlier family Magna-Matches ;) 

PS...my list could go on and on of SC standards I could teach using these bad boys. From light properties, 3D figures, geometric patterns, symmetry, classification, directional words, etc. Alright, end teacher scene. 

Holiday Recap, 2013!

Some highlights from our holiday season this far. It's been busy, but it's been awesome!!! 

Snuggling with Lucy Ann at Story with Santa, love these two!

Probably the best pic with the best Santa we've ever had...thank you, Mimi!! 

As soon as the elf showed up, this decided he needed in on some elf action. He rocked this TD hat all season...even when ONE bell (the horror) was pulled off it at School Days. 

Christmasville Parade, 2013. Best view in the house ;)

With some best little buddies...

Annual Christmas Tree selection at Penland Tree farms was the finest we've seen in years! 

The boys TRYING to get the star on top. I was totally outvoted in this episode...not a fan of that. 

We made a couple of trips to Hartsville this season and had a BLAST both times!

Love these turkey Turks...and how

much they love each other!!! 

Oh yes, some beautiful portrait reflections presented by Chap of the infamous KDR. Her cap page patch doll, vs. still life painting, vs. high school mug shot. Identical, right?? 

He tried to be nice, but sometimes sassy would sneak in...

Christmas dinners with friends were fun...and busy! We had several wonderful get togethers, but this is one pic I captured (it's tricky with the Jammie's, candies, sugars, etc.) pictured: 4 of 7 

Another one of our favorite friend get togethers....PJ's with Santa!!!! 

Not being in the classroom this year definitely had an affect on my spirits...so I did the best I could without. One morning, W and I went to visit all my kiddos from last year at IHES to deliver treats and hugs. That made me happy :) 

Another morning, during our office staff development meeting, we invited a local elf to come sit on our conference shelf so she could surprise/startle all the fun-loving folks in our department. It was a hit...sure do love this lady!!

Another day, I was asked to co-host a holiday fashion show at YRES. This was hilarious. Sure did love my co-host! :) 

Our second trip to Hartsville. Officially celebrating Christmas with the Rollings family!! 

Monster hats were a huge hit!!

Getting ready for round two was fun. Buying and creating gifts for our family was easy with the pics we had made from our session with Lindsay Thalinger...love her! 

Gifts for my team...

CBL celebration 

Getting Santa ready! 

Picture gift for my family! 

Making cookies with this Cookie Monster (Santa is lucky there were any left for him!) 

Special moments after our Christmas Eve service. 

Christmas morning, Christmas magic :)

Christmas afternoon- celebrating the holiday in Greenville with the Gourleys! 

And of course playing with our awesome new gifts outside Grmaps' house.

We are so grateful and blessed to be surrounded with family, friends, and love during the holidays. Thank you to everyone for making this a special year for us, we are truly thankful for our blessings. 

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Little bit of joy and this little boy...

This time of year is awesome. Watching my little boy light up at each new sight makes it that much better. Trying to slow down and enjoy the Christmas joy...cheers friends! 

A Family Tree Tradition

First, check on the chickens...make sure they are still there and laying their eggs and that at least 2-3 people remind you NOT to let the chickens because they can bite your hand off. 

While daddy goes to get the saw and tree tags, go measure yourself next to the snowman so that mom can be reminded of how darn big you are getting and how she wishes the notches on the snowman wouldn't go any further than where they are right now. 

Next, be as silly as can be with as many people watching. 

Now we let the "hunt" begin. What does this extreme search consist of? Well, first things first...make sure you play hide and seek around trees, stand on the stumps already claimed and sing "Extravaganzaglorious" with mom as loud as you can. 

Finally, you will scout the perfect one. The one with minimal holes, little lean, and pleasantly full while not too tall. When this happens, you will likely sing, "God bless this Christmas tree..." 

Let the sawing begin...

"Timberrrrr"

Drag that bad boy out...teamwork, of course. 

Some celebratory tree dancing!!! 

After you tag your tree, head back to the campfire. You'll need to wait for the nice guys to clean and bag the tree...may as well make time for some extreme sporting...such as climbing huge mulch piles....

Making friends on pipe tunnels. 

Smile for your super annoying mom that's still following you around with the camera.

And finally have someone roast marshmallows while you eat them raw out of the bag! 

And that's about it. There's a small chance you'll need to convince a certain 4 year old to leave this amazing slice of Heaven...but hopefully, decorating the tree and meeting Bob Foddle (Elf on the Shelf) will be enough to entice the peaceful "God blessed" exit.