handsful

You wait ON the stairs, until the all clear is given to go into the family room.  It’s the Christmas morning rule. 

First thing, stockings.  Here they are, reacting to the Brian Regan tickets we got for his show in January.  Yes, they were THAT surprised.  If you don’t know who Brian Regan is, check out youtube.  He’s hillarious. 

Then comes a gourmet breakfast of homemade cinnamon rolls.  Nope.  The kids demand the rolls in the can every year…at least it’s quick and easy! 

Presents…

Favorite presents were R’s camera lens, my Shape Up tennis shoes, A’s cell phone, M’s Ipod, P’s drum set, E’s electric guitar, and L’s Little People Noah’s ark set.  The rest of the day was spent playing, resting, packing (for our trip to NC the NEXT day), and eating.  A great day. 

Our trip to NC post coming up next…

Part 1

Christmas Eve…

On the way to Christmas Eve service at church.  Not in the mood to smile!

Thaaaaat’s better…

The annual Christmas cookie making project.  Same recipe we’ve used since I was a little girl, but now I make them instead of my mother.  Same cookie press that my mom received as a wedding shower present 45+ years ago (works better than any “modern” one I’ve ever wasted money on). 

Two eager helpers, ready to mix! 

Mama, I have a teaspoon!!

can’t help but lick the beaters. 

we’ve never been harmed by raw cookie dough, I see no reason to stop this practice.  Call me a rebel. 

Hey, who is this?  Abbey skipped all the messy mixing and just jumped in for the fun stuff. 

Let’s pause for a cookie making tip!  I cover all of my surfaces with beach towels.  After we’re done, all the loose dough bits and sprinkles get shaken out into the yard.  Easy peasy clean up, and I’m sure the birds love that Christmas treat!   

Marley chose camels…surprise that she’d choose an animal shape, huh?

Time to sprinkle the cookies…

Abbey, one of our more creative kiddos, takes her time with each cookie. 

The first of 12 dozen cookies done, Lainey wants a sample. 

She (and the rest of us cookie monsters) approve whole-heartedly.  Now, to make sure we don’t eat them all before our trip to NC.  My mom is eagerly waiting for some :)

Thanksgiving. 

Our Thankful Tree was full of blessings that we were thankful for…

We cooked. 

A lot.

While others of us snuggled and read books. 

We posed for pictures. 

And, posed some more. 

We watched a tug-of-war with a wishbone. 

We laughed.

We smiled a lot. 

And, we ate even more.  No pictures of the feast…too busy eating. 

Some of us finished our dinner with a chocolate pilgrim hat cookie.  Messy, but good. 

Thanks, Granma and Granpa, for sharing Thanksgiving with us!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!  May you feel thankful for all that God has provided this year!

First dress up time…L to R, werewolf boy, flashy three-year-old (no costume needed), punk rock girl, Ms. Waldo, and mohawk boy.  On their way to a friend’s party last week. 

Last night…L to R Napoleon Dynamite, punk rock girl, Philip Rivers, Jaquar football player (the kid’s friend, Nate), werewolf boy, and a little pink fairy.  Right before they all headed out for candy! 

More pics from last night…

We had a FANTASTIC time at the annual Autumn Moon Festival with our FCC (Families with Children from China) group.  This year, we met at the beach and the weather was perfect.  If you want some info on what this festival is all about, do a search on the blog for “Autumn Moon Festival”…I explained it last year.  Call me lazy. 

Our day started with everyone having a picnic.  The extra guy in the picture is Payton and Ethan’s friend Corey.  He was over playing so we brought him along.  The more the merrier and all. 

Next up, games.  There was a craft area (which our kids avoided), egg races, sack races, and Moon Pie race.  I’m wondering what China would think of that last one…how American (and Southern) can you get than Moon Pies??

Daddy helps Lainey with her first sack race.

Now she gets help from big sis!  (Lainey’s burn blister broke open that morning, so her hand is wrapped to protect it)

Having fun!  I’ll be honest, I’m usually not a huge fan of the beach.  Hot sun, sticky sun screen, fair skin, and sand just don’t equal tons of fun.  But, being at the beach in the evening is the BEST. 

This picture makes me see the future…Lainey’s protection squad. 

Lainey and Angel practice a little football.  L isn’t exactly precise, but Angel was very patient with her attempts!

Lainey wanted to stay right at the water’s edge the whole time…she loved it when the water ran over her feet, but held tightly to my hand.  If she had had a bathing suit on, she would have been IN that water. 

As the sun was setting, the whole group came together for a tug of war.  Yes, Randy is right in with those kids.  He was fair, though, and helped each side win a few times!

Lainey wasn’t sure why she was pulling that rope, but she loved doing it!

Taking advantage of a nice back drop :)

We tried to light a beautiful lantern, but the wind was blowing hard and toward land instead of the ocean.  So, we just hung out for the rest of the night, and enjoyed gazing at that autumn moon.  

By the light…