Christmas 2016

Christmas festivities were fun yet (very) exhausting this year! Having a 22 month old and a 5 month old with all the business of life PLUS holiday happenings wore this Mamma slap out. We did make some sweet memories though. We were able to go to several Christmas programs as Dawson Baptist Church in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Such a wonderful time of worship with family during this special season of celebrating the birth of our Lord.  

We attended Aunt Meghan's Christmas Party at Skates 280! John Collins stayed at home since it was a little chilly out. Caroline loved the glow sticks, the food, and skating with her Daddy. 

Breakfast with Santa was more like Screaming because of Santa. Nothing has changed since last year......Better luck next year? 

However, John Collins and Santa had a "love at first sight" moment that melted my heart.  

We took our traditional trip to Gatlinburg with my Mom's family the week before Christmas. My sweet, generous Grandmother gifts us this trip so that we can all spend some interrupted family time together away from all the hustle and bustle! It is always so fun but this year was EXTRA fun with all the littles under one roof! 

The oldest and the youngest! John Collins being held by his Great-Great Grandmother! 

When the bath-tub is as big as a kiddie-pool, you play for hours! 

Lots of loving from our favorite Great Aunt Sandra! 

Alan and I snuck away for a date night at the Apple Barn. Such a nice relaxing dinner by the fire with my love. 

Toy Time!! So glad to have this handy-dandy Daddy to put together the kids toys in record speed! Caroline was getting a little stir crazy at the apartment so we decided to surprise her with her new kitchen from Santa a few weeks early.  

She LOVED it! 

We had a delicious meal at my in-laws house on Christmas Eve and stayed overnight to wake up to all things Santa the next morning. Unfortunately Caroline got a nasty respiratory virus on Christmas Eve and was sick the next few days. Be we still stayed busy playing with all our fun toys! 

Drinking Santa's Milk!! 

Christmas Morning!!!!! Santa sure spooled us this year! Huge thanks to Lollie, Poppie and Aunt Megs for making our Christmas morning extra magical. 

John Collins enjoyed his presents too! 

"A Siiiide!!!!!!!!"

"I want to sit at the table"

"I want to coyor"

And may we not get caught up in the elaborate decorations and abundance of gifts to focus on the true reason for this season, celebrating our dear Savior's birth. Happy Birthday, Jesus!