The Holiday Season All Crammed Into One Post

The last three months of 2010 went by in a blur. We really didn't do too much, but it just seems that I blinked and it was all over. I'm sure that's a norm for most people, but it just amazes me how quickly it was all over and new year was beginning. And so I will quickly rundown the year end and sum in all up in one neat if not little post.

Thanksgiving we had Craig's family over. And until now I hadn't realized that I didn't take a single picture of the family at Thanksgiving. How is that possible? I did take some of Hayden's little feast at school. It consisted of pizza, string cheese and fruit. Most of which I am sure they were all very thankful for. It beats PB&J sandwiches and chips. The boys had little Indian headbands and the girls had pilgrim hats. It was so cute!

The site of the Feast

Hayden's best buddy Preston

Some days they get to sit together, but most days

Ms. Gaye has to separate them.

I'm pretty disappointed that I didn't get any shots of our thanksgiving together, but it was just a small gathering. Craig did ALL the cooking and I did ALL the cleaning. I got so lucky with this man! And so did everyone that didn't have to eat any food that I made! We did get our lovely bird (which deserves it's own picture, if I had one) from the famous Greenberg Turkeys. A year can't go by without a Greenberg Turkey. It's worth every penny and my mouth is watering just thinking about it right now!

Christmas was so exciting this year. The week before Christmas we took the kids to Santa Land. It was a huge hit with Hayden, but Reagan didn't much care for it. In fact she spent most of her time in my lap nursing as we drove through the line. After we made out of the lights, we took them to see Santa! Once again that line was pretty long, but Hayden was very patient. I was somewhat upset when Santa called Reagan a "little guy" but hey, he is pretty busy, so I'll cut him some slack!




We didn't break the bank this year, but came pretty close. Looking back now I have realized what I am sure most parents quickly come to terms with: the kids got way too MUCH! It was worth seeing the looks on their faces though. Hayden got a new Thomas the train set and a huge train table. We quickly realized that the train set was way too big for the table, but Santa had already put the table together so we couldn't really take it back. So we made a small track to stay on the table and when I'm felling really adventurous we get the entire set out and take up the whole floor.

Santa was generous!

We went to Craig's grandmothers on Christmas Eve. When we got home Hayden put out some cookies and Reindeer food. He was so excited. I was surprised how quickly he got into bed. I know in the future he'll be trying to stay up late, but for now he is still willing to go to bed without too much fuss. I took a few shots, but mostly got video. I set the camera on the tripod that I could help Reagan open her gifts. I realized about twenty minutes later it was still rolling. I haven't watched it yet because I'm afraid that might be something incriminating on the tape!

Reagan (it was really for me) got this ornament from Aunt Cricket.

Craig's Mamaw, his Dad and Peaches, as grandpa calls her.

The first of many gifts on Christmas morning.

New Years Eve we had some close friends come over with their kiddos. We had a bonfire and roasted hot dogs and made smores. It was really cold, but so much fun for the kids and adults! We had a sleep over and rang in the new year with champagne for the adults and sparkling grape juice for the kids. It really was a great way to end a good year.

Craig's mom, brother, sister-in-law and their kids came over on New Years Day and we had a yummy feast of Chicken fried steak, potatoes and corn casserole, hamburgers for the kids and much more. It was full house with 7 adults and 8 kids! I loved every minute of it. It was a great way to start out the new year. I know 2011 is going to be great!

And finally, I must explain this picture below. This is my nephew Matthew. As hard as it is for me to believe, he's 13 now! The big gold fish on the left was his kindergarten teacher's fish. Each new school year this teacher gets some fish and then gives them away when summer comes around so that she doesn't have to take them home. I saw these fish at Thanksgiving that year and they were tiny. Matthew knew that at the time I had an empty tank that needed some fish so he volunteered our tank as a home for them. I was prepared for little fish and set up a 10 gallon tank. When they got there I had to set up our 30 gallon tank so they had room to move!That was spring 2005. We have since lost one fish, but by my calculations that makes this goldfish going on 7 years!