Looking Back . . .

to the Joy of Christmas 2011!

Is it really the 8th of January?  And Mimi hasn't posted the Christmas pictures YET?  Well, here's just a quick look back before we spring full-force into 2012 and all the new and exciting things it will bring.

As posted earlier, Granddaddy and I took a weekend trip to Nashville with the A girls

then . . .

a trip to visit the C girls for a basketball game

 and a very special dinner date with "Little" C

where she got to pick out her very own new Caroler to represent

her Christmas performance with the little choir at church.

(sorry Mimi doesn't have a picture of you singing, Cybie!)

didn't she do a good job of picking one that looks just like her?

then . . .

We were off to watch a ballet performance by a very special A girl

 then back to watch a budding violinist perform in her very first recital

 which prompted the purchase of a new Caroler for AG picked out especially for her by Granddaddy

can't you see the resemblance even down to the red dresses?

then another trip on the weekend before Christmas to watch the youngest member of Timothy II perform in the Nativity

Granddaddy and I did have to miss one little one's performance this year, though, because it was the same night as the littlest C caroler.  From what I hear Baby A did a little dancing with her singing!

then . . .

back home for Santa to come

AND

a new tradition!

 The girls searching for The Green Pickle ~ which German tradition holds brings luck for the new year and a special gift for the one who finds the hidden pickle on the Christmas tree.

They got the gift but we'll have to wait about the luck part ~ anyway it was a new fun thing to do while we waited on the other sleighloads of guests to arrive.

Christmas Eve at Mimi and Granddaddys brought all the family except Scotty and Sweet Baby Josie.  Josie was the sick one this year and Danielle and Scotty took turns going to family Christmas dinners to stay with her.  They were truly missed at Mimi's!!

The Cousins' Table

Sweet Niece and Nephew 

 Mimi was definitely slacking this year on group pictures ~ this is as good as it got ~ sorry kids, hopefully we'll do better next year!

Kaleb entertained us with HIS dancing skills while we waited for Pate and Taylor to arrive

but I'm not so sure the girls were impressed!!

After the last guests left, we opened our Christmas Eve PJ's which again were Christmas Eve gowns, threw food out for Santa's reindeer and got the cookies and milk ready for Santa before flying up to the Nest to the sound of sleigh bells for a "good winter's nap" which Mimi is needing about right now so I'll finish tomorrow!

Good Night!!

Merry Christmas

cookies, pies and cakes are made . . .

presents are bought and wrapped (almost) . . .

the stockings are hung by the chimney with care . . .

fresh greenery has replaced the dried out . . .

Christmas trees are glowing . . .

and . . .

the house is almost clean enough for Christmas guests . . .

so . . .

all that's left is to wish you a very

Merry Christmas!!

Maybe next week, Mimi can post the other fun times we had with all of you; but for now, I'm scurrying around like a little mouse trying to finish everything because . . .

it's only 2 days until

Santa comes to Mimi's house along with 5 sleighloads of very special guests

and

she can't wait!!!!!

Merry Christmas

from our home to yours!

While Daddy Worked . . .

We played!

The A girls daddy had to work in Nashville at the beautiful Gaylord Opryland Hotel the first week in December and Mimi and Granddaddy got asked to go along over the weekend.  Mimi had wanted that to be our family Christmas "trip" but with CJ's basketball schedule it didn't work out ~ ~ maybe next year . . .!!

As always the decorations were breathtaking.

Santa was so sweet!

Someone always has their eyes closed when Mimi's snapping the pics but you're still gorgeous!

Of course, we had to see the Rockettes!

What a Christmas treat!!

The Nativity at the end was wonderful.

You girls practiced your kicks the rest of the weekend.

Thanks, Daddy, for letting us play while you worked!!

More Christmas Fun . . .

On Thursday night before we left for Nashville, we watched the Christmas parade.

Your ballet studio had the best float with a rotating Mary and the beautiful music from the Nativity performance scheduled for this weekend.  Mimi and Granddaddy can't wait to see AG in her special performance.  AG, you're the one with the pink headband to the left of the ballerina base.

The Nativity performance is one of the most moving Christmas performances Mimi has ever seen.  I'm so glad Mommy chose this studio for your training.

More "Fun to Come" with little carolers, Christmas plays, ballplayers, and Christmas parties . . .

so much fun that Mimi's Christmas tree has very few presents under it with very few days left for shopping!

and then there's the baking . . .

and the cooking . . .

Oh, NO!!!!

Mimi needs some of those cute little Elves of Santas to come to the acre and help me get ready for my precious house guests!  Do ya'll think you could ask Lydious and Kidias to tell Santa Mimi needs some help?

Well, I'll go start making my "To Do" list for tomorrow!

Goodnight, sweet monkeys!!

The ABC's of Christmas Cookies

Since you girls have been here, Mimi and your Mama's make Christmas cookies over Thanksgiving weekend.  Three years ago, Mande decided to get creative and turn our pictures into a CD for us.  Of course, Mimi cried when they played it for us on Christmas Eve.  Pictures from all the years are great to look back on, but the CD is priceless!!  If Mimi knew how to add it to the computer and then to the blog, I would; but remember, Mimi didn't teach that part of computers!  Anyway, here's Mande's blog entry from that year.

The ABC's of Christmas Cookies 2008

Now to the 2011 version . . .

The new aprons . . .

pink and green ~ what else for Mimi's princess monkeys?

CJ and Kaleb finally join the baking fun!

With Thanksgiving decorations still up, no Christmas clothes (or red hairbows), and a hurried day, these pictures were certainly not CD worthy; but, we'll always remember the fun!!  It was great having Kaleb join us for our pre-Christmas activities this year!

Usually, the day after Thanksgiving always means new Christmas clothes from Mimi's sewing room; but this year all I whipped up were your "Magic Pillowcases" . . . but guess what????  NO PICTURES (maybe someone's mommy got one)!  I think ya'll are enjoying the magic they hold and sleeping soundly.  Mimi also hopes before you drift off to sleep, you look closely at the manger scene on the front of the pillowcase so you will always remember the real reason for this most wonderful season!

While You Were Sleeping . . .

on the day after Thanksgiving . . .

just like clock work . . .

THEY CAME BACK!!

Lydious

Kidias

and Clark

SANTA's sneakly little Elves

surprised ya'll with a breakfast of donuts, muffins and fruit that they prepared

while you were snuggled in your warm beds in the nest.

Surprises they left for each of you . . .

cute little Christmas headbands, Santa mugs and a special note

Mimi loves the centerpiece they made!

  

Sweet Ailee wanted to read her note Lydious left instead of getting her picture made

All your excited screams soon woke your Mommies and Daddies . . .

and Campbell's Daddy even stole a kiss under her mistletoe headband!

These funny little Elves have continued their mischief each morning when they arrive from the North Pole . . .

while you were sleeping . . .

Hope you're sleeping snuggly right now!!

XOXOXOXO ~~ Mimi

Final Farewell to Fall . . .

Most of the beautiful fall season was a blur . . . but the final week of Thanksgiving was a gloriously fun time of family, friends, food and fellowship ~ what more could one ask for?

Granddaddy and I were extremely blessed again to have all our babies home for the weekend.  We realized just how lucky and blessed we were when we were told that many of our friends' children were not able to be home for the holiday.  Thank you, sweet children, for the extra effort it takes each holiday to make this happen!!

Now, just a little recap of our wonderful time together . . .

tables ready and waiting

The A girls arrived early to help with dinner preparations ~ a great big THANKS to Mande, Beth, Carolyn, Danielle, and Michelle for all the great food you brought!!  Mimi felt like she wasn't doing anything this year but it sure felt good to be able to relax.

the "littles"

the "middles"

the "bigs" ~ at least the female variety

a "big" and an "oldie"

Then Friday night it was party time all over again as Mimi and Granddaddy hosted the annual "K and D" reunion.  Only problem with "annual" is that it had been 11 years since the last one.  Gran and Pop would have been so upset with us but at least we were able to start again!!  Thanksgiving weekend worked much better than trying to work in a Christmas event ~~ all the college kids were home but we were so sorry that Charlsey couldn't make it home this time.

A few pictures to make the memories last . . .

Uncle Bob and Aunt Lynda

Sorry Mimi didn't get pictures of all the little cousins but you were so busy getting to know each other and playing that I just missed you ~ maybe Sherry has some for the scrapbook!!

Good night my sweeties! Hope visions of sugarplums are dancing in your heads!!

XOXOXOXOX ~ Mimi

Being Thankful

As I sit here going over my "To Do" list for Thanksgiving morning, my mind keeps going over all the many wonderful blessings my Father has granted to me ~ my precious, beautiful family; friends who love and support me just the way I am; a home that provides safety and echos little giggles long after they have faded; a vehicle with good tires for traveling "north and south"; a 31-year career that I loved and secretly do miss; a caring, loving church family and the best Sunday School class ever; a sweet Miss Gigi and great neighbors.

But this year of 2011, the greatest blessings He has provided for me are knowledgable, caring doctors and supportive, praying friends and family.  Thank you, Father, for the little valleys of the past few months because it's in these valleys that my need for You grows and my faith in how great You are is strengthened.

These were my "leaves" on our 2011 Thanksgiving Tree which is standing patiently by the front door for the rest of the family to arrive tomorrow and adorn it with their Thankful Blessings for this year.

God's Blessings on all of you as you pause to Be Thankful to the one who provides on this Thanksgiving Day!

Happy Thanksgiving!!