Santa thinks we've been good...

because we got just what we wanted!

Caroline got a baby station...

Will got a train table with trains...

Mommy got a new camera...

and Daddy got a buck!

(more about Mommy and Daddy's gifts later...)

Getting ready for Santa

This year marks the 1st year our family has stayed home for Christmas Eve. In the past, we've always packed up and visited our family. We decided it might be asking too much for Santa to deliver our goodies somewhere else, and thought it would be nice to start making some special memories at our own home on Christmas Eve. Here's how we enjoyed this magical time of year:

For starters, we made cookies for Santa.

Then, we met Matt at Cracker Barrel for Christmas Eve brunch.  Since Nana and Pop Buddy were in town doing some last minute shopping, they got to help taste test our cookies and even joined us for brunch!

After a nap, we decided to let the kids dress up as Mary and Joseph and read the Nativity story.

We decided on my family's traditional Christmas Eve meal of special not ham and cheese sandwiches with a little twist and red Christmas punch. 

We then put some food out for Santa's reindeer...

left some cookies and milk for Santa Claus,

and headed off to bed.

Rudolph, you have competition!

Our gingerbread house

Frankly, I'm just surprised we had enough candy to decorate our little house considering all of the candy that got swiped by four little hands!

Will's 1st trip to the dentist

Today marked Will's 1st trip to the dentist.  While I was a little apprehensive about taking his big sister to the dentist for the first time, I should admit that I was VERY apprehensive about taking little Trouble.  But, Trouble never ceases to amaze me as he was the perfect patient.  Other than wanting to lick off all the toothpaste before the hygienist had a chance to brush, you couldn't ask for a better patient.  In fact, Dr. Jones and Ms. Jenna commented that he may just be the best 2 year old patient they've ever seen.  Of course he had a great example of how a perfect patient should behave after watching his sister sit still and open her mouth as wide as she could.

And I should mention that while he was getting his teeth cleaned, he had the perfect hand to hold and another sweet little hand patting him and telling him it would be okay.

We can gladly report that there were no cavities and everybody got a toy of their choice!  The only bad news from our visit was that Will overheard that he needed to give Santa Claus his pacifier.  We'll just have to see how that goes!

The City of Lights

This past weekend, Nana and Pop Buddy came in town for a visit, so we decided to load up and head to Canton to see the City of Lights. 

Pop Buddy and Nana volunteered to ride the carousel and train, and we all bundled up for a horse carriage ride around the square. 

Before we headed back home, we did a little window shopping and admired the nativity at The Christmas Village.

Christmas card fun

One of the things I put off doing until the last minute is taking our annual Christmas card picture.  With two spunky kids, it is quite a chore trying to get a perfect picture.  This year rain and cold weather permitted us form doing a photo shoot on the weekends.  So, that meant Mommy would have to go it alone one day during the week.  Oh joy!  Anyway, here is a peak into our little photo shoot.

Of course we had to take at least one picture with Will's cowboy hat.

And finally...a GREAT picture!

After I was so thrilled with THE Christmas card picture and had ordered 85 prints, my husband comes home from work and says, "I don't really like Caroline's smile in that picture...it looks a little fake".  If you are wondering, he is still alive and his bruises are healing nicely!  :)

Caroline's 1st date

Matt and I decided Caroline was finally old enough to go to Carols by Candlelight.  So this year we asked our sweet little girl to go on a date with us.  She was so excited and got all dolled up for her big date.  As for Carols, it was wonderful was usual.  When asked what her favorite part was, it was of course seeing a real baby Jesus!

Here comes Santa Claus

As in the past, we made our annual visit to see Santa Claus at the Bass Pro Shop.  This year, Mamaw Kat and Pappaw were in town so they got to join in on the fun.  Despite a very long line, time passed quickly since there were plenty of activities and toys to keep the kids occupied while they waited.  I should also add that this was perhaps the only time Matt and Pappaw waited for anything and did not complain.  Perhaps it had something to do with the store we were in?

While waiting, Will found what he wants for Christmas and he doesn't even care what color it is!

Finally, the wait was over and we were next up to see Saint Nick. Will got so excited that we had to hold him back so that he wouldn't spoil the kid's turn in front of us.  He kept pointing at Santa and just couldn't wait to run up and see him.  Caroline was glad to see the jolly ol' man herself, but was able to contain herself.  Once it was our turn, both kids eagerly jumped into his lap, gladly accepted a candy cane, and smiled for the camera.  When they were finished, Caroline informed me that she told Santa exactly what she wanted.  I asked Will what he told Santa he wanted and a look of distraught came over his little face.  He informed me that he forgot to tell Santa what he wanted.  He turned around to go back, and was so sad that I told him his turn was over.  Once I explained that he could tell Speedy what he wanted and then Speedy would tell Santa, he felt a lot better. However, I bet next time he sees Santa, he'll make sure he tells him his wish list!

Look who's back in town

Speedy is back in town and everyone is on their best behavior.  I should probably mention that on more than one occasion Caroline has told me that she wish Speedy would go away.  When I asked her why, she reluctantly admits that she has to be good all the time when Speedy is around and sometimes she just needs to act bad.

Then there are the rare instances in which Caroline is placed in time out (remember, she is on her best behavior since Speedy is visiting).  Will then takes it upon himself to go tell Speedy that his sister has been ugly and that she is in time out.  Now when his sister overhears this, she is not a happy camper.  She yells from her room that he needs to stop telling Speedy everything.  Personally, I think I need to ask Speedy if he can become a permanent member of our family!

Cubbies Christmas Party

At Cubbies last week we celebrated Christmas a little early with a Happy Birthday Jesus party.  Since Will helped Caroline and me get ready for the party by baking cupcakes and getting the party bags stuffed, he was determined to go to the party despite not being a member of the class.  He even gave the Cubbies teacher (his mother) lots of kisses in hopes to persuade her.  Of course I let him go and he was tickled pink.  Since Nana was in town, she got to go as well.  Plus, Matt got off work early so that he could come too.

All of the kids really had fun participating in the What God Wants for Christmas nativity set.  It was the stillest they have ever been for me while reading a Bible story.  We made the cutest little Christmas ornaments and then finished our party by singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and eating cupcakes.

Christmas parade...Louisiana style

While we were at Pappaw's and Mamaw Kat's house, we decided to go to the Farmerville Christmas parade.  While it wasn't the biggest parade we've ever been to, the kids were thrilled that everyone threw out candy as the passed by.  Plus, Santa was on a float and that made the parade perfect in the eyes of my kids.

Once we got back home, Caroline quickly requested a fire so she would warm up after being out in the cold air.  Matt then taught Will the right way to warm up next to a nice fire.

Happy Birthday Matt!

Matt's birthday always falls over the Thanksgiving holiday.  This year, he requested that I not make his favorite cake (red velvet) at Thanksgiving because he is always too stuffed from our Thanksgiving feast to enjoy it.  Plus, he vividly remembers not eating all of the cake last year because he was so stuffed and the frustration that was voiced by his wife who took the time to make a homemade red velvet just for him.  So, this year we celebrated on his birthday with a peanut butter pie, another favorite of Matt's. 

Of course that meant that I owed him a red velvet as well.  So, while visiting his parents over the weekend, I made him his traditional red velvet birthday cake. 

Mamaw Kat topped it off with homemade ice cream.  Needless to say, Matt enjoyed his sweets and it looks like his son is going to fall in his footsteps as is pertains to his love for sweets as well.