McKinney's Christmas Program

This year in the Christmas program, McKinney was a pig. He wasn't too thrilled about this - he wanted to be a cow. Anyway, he did a great job. He sang & said his lines loud and clear! We love this little guy & are so proud of him.

Here are the kids with Santa Butch after Rebekah's Christmas program. I can't seem to find those pictures, but as soon as I do I will add them to this post.

Breakfast with Santa

This year we again had the privilege of attending Breakfast with Santa at the Montini's house. It was wonderful. The kids love getting to see Santa walk in while singing Jingle Bells & shaking their bells. I love doing this and would really like to start this tradition at my home in the near future.

Here come Santa Clause...

Micah's first glance this year at the "real" Santa.

Rebekah had a list that she was anxious to pass on to Santa.

Rebekah's Piano Recital

Rebekah had her very first piano recital recently. She did a great job. I would like to upload the video - but that will have to be later. Here are a few pictures from that great day!!

Rebekah with her piano teacher, Mrs. Pam.

Rebekah with Gran & Grandad.

Rebekah with Pop & Gaga.

Trimming the Tree

Holidays are full of so many wonderful memories for children. The kids love pulling out all the ornaments and putting them on the tree. It seems with each ornament I pull out they exclaim with such excitement, "Oh, I remember this one!!"

By far their favorite ornament is the Georgia Tech Santa. It plays the GT fight song. Every year it is the first ornament on the tree. This year Micah learned very quickly how to turn it on. Needless to say - the batteries are really taking a hit this year!!

THANKSGIVING!!!

Thanksgiving is one of our favorite holidays. Robbie and I decided early in our marriage that we would only spend Thanksgiving with one family each year in an effort to keep it slow paced and really relaxing. We didn't want to spend most of the day travelling from place to place. This decision has been one of the greatest decisions we have made. It is truly a relaxing day and we are able to spend the entire day with one family.

This year we were with Robbie's family. I do most of the picture taking in our family, so I was intentional about having my picture taken with each child on this day.

Rebekah and Grandad.

Micah and Grandad.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree....

Every year we go back and forth between live tree or artificial. This post is all about why I cannot give up my live Christmas tree. At least not yet anyway.

The memories for the kids are too valuable for me to sacrifice for the convenience of an artificial tree. They look forward to the day we go to Thompson's Tree Farm and pick out our tree almost as much as Christmas Day itself. First, we feed the goats...

Micah is using the bread for the goats to feed himself...

Then we get a cart and walk all through the rows of trees. The kids love to get out and chase each other and play hide n seek between the beautiful trees.

Finally, we do a photo opp on Santa's big sleigh. You can't duplicate these memories, so for now I won't try!!

Micah had the best time feeding the goats. Every time they would take the bread from him he would laugh so hard. It is worth watching the video below.

AR Party #2

So a few weeks ago was the 2nd AR (Accelerated Reader) party of the school year. Two months ago at the last AR party, Rebekah was recognized for having the most AR points in the school with 45 points. Since then she has accumulated over 200 points!!!!! This is outstanding. Her teacher told me that they will have to create new buttons for her since they have never had a student get that many AR points in one year before. I am so glad Rebekah has inherited my love for reading. It will serve her well in life & bring her a lot of enjoyment as well!! Great job RAC!!

Here is her hat covered with all the buttons. They get one button for every 5 points up to 100 then they start to spread it out a little more. Her hat is already full & we aren't even half way through the year.

Rebekah & her teacher, Mrs. Callison.

After the party they cut loose & dance in the gym.

With her best buddies, Rachel to the left & Chloe to the right.