Christmas around the house

About 15 days off from work...Christmas is the best. Basically lounging around with my best buddies. We had a blast. All three were super excited to see what Santa had brought them. We left the cookies and milk for Santa, and carrots for Rudolph.

And of course this picture was taken shortly after 5 in the morning. Sam was just too excited. He was happy to get his very own elf (Christopher Pop-In-Kins) who only stayed with us for abotu a week before he had to travel back to the North Pole. He left a note that he might be back to visit every once and awhile, but would definately be back next December.

Paper Jamz was a pretty big hit too...till we realized Sam's had some curse words playing in the song...returned to Walmart. This was our first year to make a Gingerbread House, and Sam was very proud, and I realized these things are not as easy as they look. Belle finally woke up to see all of her babies and stuff for the babies.

Davis even made us some pictures and wrapped them himself. And he made the ornament at his school for us. The bottom picture shows Sam working with his electrical circuits. So far nothing has been blown up, only shorted the battery once...we are trying to be careful.

Christmas at Nanny's

Another Christmas come and gone. We began our Christmas family gatherings at Judy's on the Friday before Christmas. And Nanny made some great food and it was just as good as always, even with her scaring us and having to get a new battery for herself earlier in the week. We love our Nanny and glad to see her doing well, and laughing with everyone.

Our first Christmas with Miss Stella, and I had to seriously filter down the pictures at this point, as Magan took about 200 of that cutie.

I believe that is Marcus under the pile

yes, That is me sleeping. OK, I eat, and it makes me sleepy.

Yo Mickey, it's your birthday. Just what our little girl needs...a dance Mickey. I've got to admit, it is pretty cute. And Belle and Davis like to break it down at our house every once and awhile.

Davis and his best buddy Addy. Don't know how they get along so well, but you can't separate these guys when they get together. And Magan surprised her mom with the vases from the antique store that Judy had really wanted while staying down with us earlier in the month.

Marcia made the coolest gifts. Our very own "Mijagido Karate" headbands. Above is the crouching L stance, then below I am in the crane kick position ready to put Johnny down. Sam has the sweep leg ready, Davis has the right hand ready for the tiger punch, and Jude has the hiddle left arm attack position.

And the "Give me a Heart Attack" award of the day goes to Sam who received a new remote control amphibian vehicle that not only goes on the road, but you can drive it through a pond. And I know now, and should have known then, that Sam sometimes gets things in his head that would be neat, and doesn't really think about anything else...So our Nanny has a really big pond....and as everyone was enjoying the presents, Miranda happened to be outside looking for Jude and Sam...both nowhere to be found. Then she starting walking towards the pond, and she said about the time she saw Sam and Jude, she saw Sam go down in the water to get his RC vehicle that was driving in the pond. So she ran to get him, he was OK, but his pants and boots were soaked. Sam and I had a long conversation about how this was not a good idea.

Supper Club Christmas Reunion

5 Guys start work at a Nuclear Plant in Dothan. Those guys become good friends and we start eating at each of the families house each week. In the beginning there was just one little one amongst us all...now we've grown to 13 kids running about. That's probably why weekly supper club is now just a yearly reunion. Now we are all in Birmingham...great friends.

EOY Potpourri

I had a business trip to Orlando and got to go to Mickey's Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom. This is a great event, and I would highly recommend it. Pictures below from the Grand Floridian while I was waiting to be let into the park (couldn't get in until 4:00 PM).

You will notice that there was very few people on the rides. Space Mountain three times in 25 minutes...and you can see how full the cars were...

I also got a chance this December to eat lunch with Sam. I was looking all over the wall at the kids that had made the "Headline News" and Sam came and grabbed me. He lead me to where his picture was on the wall showing his achievement of being awarded his bobcat badge. Oh and lunch was so good...Dressing, Green Beans, Sweet Potatoe Casserole, Ham...all this for $2.00...I am going to start taking a longer lunch break to join sam every day. Oh, then I looked at Sam's plate...He got a square piece of fish, two packs of crackers, and a cup of water. So I guess that is where my $2 is going for him.

OK, I really have a hard time staying at the house, so one Sunday after visiting Judy while she was in the hospital, we took a trip to the zoo. There was NO ONE here, so I just let the boys run around where ever they wanted to go. We had a good time.

Davis found his friend Goat again and they talked about things that had gone in while he had been away. Belle had no problems being 10 feet away from a 2 ton rhino, and Sam thought it was the best thing in the world that I let him walk his little sister all by himself over to see the elephants while Davis and I stayed at the play area. I could see them in the distance, but it made him feel big and he just loves that Belle.