Farewell 2011

Here's our year in pictures. It was a wonderful year. An amazing year. We had many wonderful adventures and are thankful for each and every one of them. We can't wait to see where 2012 takes our family.

Best wishes to you and yours in the new year!

Cabin Fever

The girls don't go back to school for another week. I love having them home (as long they aren't arguing!) but we all like a goo outing to spice up our days and keep us from going crazy at home.

Yesterday after I saw the forecast, I decided we needed to venture up into the national park and head to Cades Cove.

It was a spectacular day that didn't disappoint in any way, especially not in the wildlife department. We saw turkeys, horses, and more than 30 deer. (Actual count seems to be a bit fuzzy...)

The girls love going and recording all the wildlife. We packed a lunch and ate it as we drove around the 11-mile loop road.

We stopped at various spots for pictures and to check out the historic cabins.

After a brief family meeting, we determined we should take a second drive around the loop. This time, I found a parking area near a field and turned them all loose.

They ran and ran and ran. I'm so thankful that we have the Smokies in our backyard so we can enjoy them on days like this and always.

The Tooth Fairy Rides Again

As if Santa visiting our house this week wasn't enough....we also had another visit from the Tooth Fairy! Ainsley lost the other one of her top teeth!

She now has more money to spend at Disney World and is finding it incredibly difficult to eat even the easiest of things. Hopefully some of those holes will fill in soon before more teeth start falling out!

Wordless Wednesday

Toddler Kryptonite

Allie is what the experts like to call "high-spirited." She goes about 100 miles per hour from sunup to sundown. So getting her down for a nap is kinda like trying to catch sunshine in a butterfly net. But lately...I've found her weakness. Wonderful, sweet kryptonite that can get her to sleep in under 15 minutes.

All you have to do is stroke her hair and sing "Away in Manger." Yup, that's it....the little Baby Jesus lullaby works wonders in calming a child who never calms. And most of the time (like today) I can barely get through 3 rounds of it before falling asleep myself.

"Be near me Lord Jesus,

I ask thee to stay,

Close by me forever

and love me I pray.

Bless all the dear children

In thy tender care

And take us to Heaven

To live with thee there."

Post-Christmas Wrap Up #2

We truly have had a wonderful Christmas season this year. It was filled with all our favorite traditions and some new ones as well. The stress wasn't present this year. We did the things we love, surrounded by those we love and that was enough.

Yesterday morning the girls got up and were ready for their gifts from us and from Santa. They got many wonderful things. Allie was particularly excited about a puzzle.

Anastasia got an iPod and Ainsley got the much-requested Go-Go Walking Dog.

We had a fun morning and they enjoyed giving Jamie and I the gifts they had shopped for at Fantasy of Trees back in November.

After presents and breakfast we loaded up and headed for church. We let Allie wear her Snow White nightgown to church because...well, because it was Christmas and as a parent I've learned to pick my battles. That was not one I was willing to fight on Christmas day.

Church was wonderful but a lack of childcare during the service was not. Allie was a beast and what little I got to hear of the sermon seemed nice.

We had a big lunch back at the house and then spent the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying our new toys. Today we've had more family time, which is always a bonus. Thankfully the girls don't back return to school for well over a week so we won't have to return to the daily grind just yet.

Post-Christmas Wrap Up #1

Christmas 2011 has come and gone. I could bore you with several insanely long posts about what we did/saw/ate/received...but instead I'll give you the Cliff Notes version of the Lamar Christmas weekend.

We started out on Christmas Eve Eve at Nana and Granddad's house. We had important things to do such as making cookies and participating in the annual treasure hunt for the first gift. (It was a Hello Kitty gumball machine this year, in case you were wondering...didn't want that to keep you up at night.)

We also gave Nana and Granddad their big gift.....a fire pit!!!!

It really is a cool gift and one we all got to enjoy Friday night after a big holiday dinner. We went out in the backyard and built an inaugural fire. The kids roasted marshmallows and the adults frantically tried to keep Allie from setting the whole place on fire.

Saturday morning we took our traditional family photo (we also took a normal, boring one...but you know what those look like....).

Then it was time for gifts!!! We got so many wonderful things this year. The older girls got pink princess guitars. They've spent the last three days writing songs on them.

After our gift extravaganza we had lunch and then we went to Christmas Eve service at church.

There's a wonderful family-centered service each year at 3 p.m. It's loud and full of children talking, cooing, and crying. It's totally not quiet and sort makes me think of the din in the stable the night Jesus was born. If you've ever been in a barn full of animals or near a newborn, you know that "Silent Night" is about the furthest thing from the truth. The service was wonderful and I'm so glad we were able to be a part of it. After wards we went home to make reindeer food and make our final preps for Santa. The girls were exhausted from their long day so they fell asleep so easily!

Tomorrow, I'll try to get up all the pictures from Christmas day.

Merry Christmas!

"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be for all people."

-Luke 2:10

More Ice Skating

Here are some videos we shot yesterday while ice skating. Enjoy!

Ice Skating on Market Square

A few years ago, an ice rink started going up on Market Square for the holidays. We've taken the kids a few times and with the weather being so warm yesterday, we figured it would be the perfect day to try it out for 2011.

Allie was SUPER excited about ice skating, despite the fact the skates were about 4 sizes too big for her tiny little feet.

She loved being on the ice and was undeterred even when an annoying boy knocked the two of us over. She kept shouting, "Faster, Mommy, Faster!"

Her sisters started out clinging to the wall but by the end were holding their own out on the crowded ice.

It was about 67* yesterday so we were able to shed our gloves and scarves pretty quickly.

No one wanted to leave the ice (well....except for mommy and daddy who were totally exhausted from hauling three kids around on the ice) but we softened the blow with ice cream. Such a fun holiday tradition!

Cookie Madness

Now that I have a wonderful new kitchen, holiday baking is SO much easier! I've been on a roll these last few days and making oodles of cookies. Yesterday the girls and I did our traditional sugar cookies. It's the same recipe Nana uses and has used forever.

Allie really liked the part where I covered the kitchen in flour.

They baked perfectly and turned out so well.

We let them cool and then iced them after Allie went down for her nap.

After several taste tests we declared them the best cookies ever!

Wordless Wednesday

New Ornaments

I love homemade ornaments from my kids. They are truly my favorite part of the tree. Sure, I love a good Hallmark Keepsake one, but their handmade artistry is the best decoration I could ask for.

This year at school the girls each made some really cool ornaments. Ainsley's was a bean wreath.

It seriously weighs like 6 pounds! My poor little tree can barely handle its weight. But I love it...not to mention the adorable picture of Ainsley glued in the center.

Anastasia's is a glass ball that she decorated on the outside and then stuff with colorful recycled paper.

Such wonderful new additions to our tree!

A Differt Angle on Sunday's Wreath Lighting

As we stood up to light the advent wreath yesterday, I noticed a TV camera up in the back balcony of the church. Standing next to the camera was on one of my co-workers. He had been sent to cover our musical service on Sunday and happened to be recording when we stood up for our part in the service.

I got some screen grabs of the video. I love how Allie is pointing to the candle in this one.

Here's another shot of Jamie lighting the candles.

I'm still sort of amazed that we didn't catch anything on fire!

O Come All Ye Faithful

Today is the fourth Sunday in advent. It scarcely seems possible that Christmas is just one week away. Our family was tapped to light the advent candles at the 11 a.m. service today. We got our parts and practiced. Ainsley opted not to have a speaking role this year, but Anastasia tackled one head-on. Hers included the word "political" which tripped up as she practiced.

We sat on the front pew as directed and then walked up to the wreath as the congregation (at least 300 strong today...perhaps more...) sang the last stanza of the opening hymn.

I spoke first, which was going fine until a certain little redhead decided she wanted the microphone too. I managed to get through it while playing tug-of-war with Allie and the mic. Anastasia went next and totally nailed her reading. I am so proud of her for standing up in front of such a HUGE crowd and speaking. She totally rocked! Jamie lit the candles and then we led the congregation in prayer.

Afterwards, we walked back down to our seats with Allie shouting "Bye candles!" the entire time. I scooped up her diaper bag and walked across the front of the sanctuary on my way to the nursery when Allie turned and said (VERY loudly I might add) "Bye, Dadddy!" The church dissolved into chuckles. Judging by how many people spoke to us after the service, Allie's antics were appreciated today. It was a wonderful service filled with music and meaning. It really helped get my last week of advent off on the right note.

We ate a quick lunch and then headed back to church. It was time for the annual "Walk Through Bethlehem." Our fellowship hall is transformed into the streets of the ancient city, complete with woodchips on the floor and live animals wandering through.

When I told the girls the room was the same one we had use for Vacation Bible School over the summer they didn't believe me. With Roman soldiers milling around and the marketplace humming, I can see why they felt completely immersed in Bethlehem.

It's such a cool Christmas tradition and today made me fondly remember 2009 when Allie played the part of Baby Jesus at WTB. Today Allie was less interested in the Christ Child and much more interested in the livestock hanging around.

I'm grateful for the church members and staff who work hard to make the event possible. It allows us to share the Christmas story with thousands of people in our community. The older girls are hoping to play a part next year!

Christmas Party Wrap-Up

Saturday was a big day of parties for our house. We started out bright and early for the kids christmas party. Jamie's company puts on a HUGE one for the kids of employees. Breakfast is served and there are fun activities too.

Between eating and face-painting the kids got giant goody-bags filled with everything from DVDs to t-shirts to stickers.

They also got to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Allie almost had a total meltdown but Mrs. Claus had the right touch and got her to sit down without tears. We got to watch Arthur Christmas as our movie this year and it was pretty cute. Allie didn't care for it much but the older girls really enjoyed it.

Then last night, it was time for the adult party.

The venue changed this year and we celebrated at the historic Tennessee Theater. We had such a fun night! This year's entertainment was from Brad and Colin from Whose Line is It Anyway. Jamie and I watched that show for many years so we were thrilled to see them in person. We even got to do some sound effects as a part of the show!

Little Black Dress

It's interesting to me that two women that had a major impact on my life and the woman I grew into spent only about 10 years with me. I've lived far longer without their influence than I did with it. But their presence in my young life made plenty of memories and an indelible mark on me.

Lynn Alexander was one of those women and this time of year always makes me think of her. Lynn was the kind of person who never treated my sister and I like children. She introduced us to things like Twinkies and oil pastels. She let us cover her kitchen in flour and didn't flip out when an ornament fell off the tree and shattered into a million pieces. She was the only adult I can ever remember cursing in front of us. I always liked her for not handling me with "kid gloves." She made me feel important and made me feel like I had something to contribute even as a child. She nurtured our creativity and encouraged us to write, color, draw and paint. She sent us postcards from all over the world when she and Dan traveled. They were always signed: Love, Me. There was never any doubt who "Me" was.

Each December she and Dan would throw a Christmas party at their historic home. It was a grand home built sometime in the early 1800's. The house was magic, no matter what season you visited. I wrote a poem about it as a kid (can't find it right now though). My memories of those parties at Lynn's house are perhaps more legend than fact but when it comes to Christmas I suppose that's true for a lot of us. The house was always bathed in candlelight. It was a very adult party (Dan and Lynn didn't have kids) but my sister and I were always invited. I remember laughter and wine glasses clinking. I remember curling up on a big white bed in the guestroom when we got tired and the party was far from over. I've missed those parties over the years and wish that I had the opportunity to attend as an adult. So tonight will have to do.

Tonight when Jamie and I go to his company Christmas party I will be wearing a dress that belonged to Lynn. It's black velvet with a pink taffeta lining. We know that Lynn wore it as a teenager and Dan thinks her mother made it for her. It's perfect for tonight because not only is it a Christmas party, it's at the historic Tennessee Theater, a place Lynn would've no doubt loved to have partied herself.

I miss her greatly and despite the fact she died when I was only 15 the influence she had on my life is without question. I wish she could meet my girls and gather them in her big kitchen with the wooden floors. I wish she could cover them in flour from head to toe and feed them Twinkies. Sometimes I think Allie is a lot like her - a spitefire that you just aren't sure what she's going to do next. Tonight is for you, Lynn. Thanks for the memories....and for the dress.

Christmas Party Chaos

Today was the last day of school for a while, so that was cause enough for celebration. Both Anastasia and Ainsley had class parties today. Allie spent the afternoon at Nana and Granddad's house so I could go help out at the school.

Ainsley's party required most of my attention as Kindergartners need a little more supervision than second graders. Our class mom had a great party planned. 5 different stations that the kids rotated through....Pin the Nose on the Snowman, Cookie Decorating, Face Painting, Ornament Making, and a Game.

It was SO much fun! Santa even stopped by for a visit. The kids received wonderful gifts from their teacher and had a blast eating and singing songs.

In between activities in kindergarten, I darted across the school to check in with Anastasia. I got there right as she scored in Bingo!

She and her pals had also been doing games, face painting, cookie decorating and ornament making.

The afternoon wore me out, but I was so grateful to be there with the girls. It was a wonderful day! They both came home with AMAZING report cards. Jamie and I are quite proud of their progress since school began in July. We still can't believe the school year is now 50% of the way complete!

Gingerbread Goodness

As school winds down for 2011, it's time for the obligatory Christmas celebrations at the elementary school. Today I was able to join Ainsley and her classmates for some gingerbread (a.k.a graham cracker) fun.

To start out the other moms and I set out all the supplies for each child while they were on the playground.

We spared no expense, knowing that just as much candy would end up in little bellies as it did on the houses.

The kids came dashing back in from recess ready to go.

We had SO much fun putting them together. It's neat to see how creative they are and how unique each house was.

Ainsley's is pretty cool!

I was covered in icing but it was a great afternoon and I am so thrilled I could be there!