Christmas 2012

Yes, I'm still catching up with the blog. :) Christmas was so much fun this year! Ross was really into the Christmas spirit! Christmas Eve started off with leaving cookies and milk for Santa before we left for the day and night to do family Christmases. (that word always looks so weird plural)

Ross decided he needed to taste each cookie on the plate.

He also had to wash it down with a little of Santa's milk.

Our first stop for Christmas was at my Mom and stepdad's.

Some photo ops with Santa's hat.

On to more fun stuff, presents!

There were a few things Ross asked for on his list. One being a car track. He was super excited to open this present. Mommy was super excited that Pop had put it together!

Avery got in on the present action too.

She couldn't resist the car track and brother was sweet enough to let her play.

Best family picture we were able to get. Note, to those that read the blog regularly, Ross had his hand on her head.

Uncle Brent, Aunt Lexie, and Alex. They have baby #2 on the way!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Her little outfit was so cute - thanks Mam! I wish I had a better picture.

Next stop was Poppy and Granny's. On our way we passed by Granddad's house. He always does a great job on his Christmas lights. This year he spent hours restringing everything with LED lights and they look great!

We spent the night at Poppy and Granny's on Christmas Eve so the boys got a little play time in before bed. Ross would shoot people and say he was giving them a flu shot. Not sure where that came from but it was quite funny to all of us.

Avery woke up before everyone else and Uncle Kev heard us up so we played with him for a while. All the kids love him much!

Ross left cookies and milk here too. He wanted to cover all his bases and I know Santa appreciated it!

Santa left combines for the boys!

Alex coloring with some of his stocking presents.

Christmas morning bed head.

Daddy wasn't as bad.

Please note: our Granddad was fully dressed, hair combed, smell good on, ... That's the way he always is on Christmas morning and how I will always remember him.

Avery hung out with Alex b/c he got a lot of cool Mickey Mouse stuff.

The disaster area that is the den after we finished opening presents.

Very cool fireman helmet he and Alex got from Uncle Bryan and Aunt Lou Ann. He's found it comes in handy playing hide and seek.

Final stop for Christmas was back to our house.

Santa made it and left footprints!

The kids loved their things from Santa!

Now Ross has 2 guitars and I can jam out with him.

"Rolly coaster" is so much fun! It also doubles as a race car track.

I saw this cute idea on Facebook and decided to start doing it. Each year 'you' right down the Christmas list and put it in a glass ornament for a great keepsake. I was so excited to find that and I just know we'll cherish these in the years to come. 

Christmas was really great this year and though Ross absolutely loved Santa and the fun stuff that went along with it, not a day went by that he didn't remind us that the reason we had Christmas was to celebrate Jesus' birthday. He's such an awesome kid and I pray he never loses his love for Jesus. He truly makes me strive to be a better person and Christian - which in turn will make me a better Mommy.

Goodbye R-O-S-S

Ross absolutely loves our elf, R-O-S-S. We can hear him talking to him from time to time. He will tell him if he's been good, or went to the potty, picked up toys, or sometimes Ross reports that Daddy or I haven't been very nice to him.

On Christmas Eve morning he showed up with a letter from Santa. Santa lifted R-O-S-S's magic for a few minutes so we could tell him goodbye. Ross was beyond happy. He absolutely never touches our elf for fear he'll lose his magic. It was the sweetest thing ever to see his excitement and dare I say love for his elf as he told him goodbye.

He even let Avery tell him goodbye.  

Final hug and farewell.

He absolutely melts my heart on a daily basis.

Mommy's Dress

My mom brought me a wonderful surprise before Christmas! It was the dress I wore for Christmas when I was a baby. It fit Avery perfectly and I loved it! I've got to find my baby pictures to post of us both wearing it. Such a great memory for me as a Mom and a wonderful surprise!

Razorback Game

We went to the Razorback basketball game on Dec. 22 which also happened to be my little brother's 21st birthday. We had a great time!

The first order of business was getting pictures taken with the mascot.

The next order of business was getting food. We all had dinner at David's Burgers before the game but Ross was set on a hot dog and wouldn't eat until we got to the game. He does not get his love of hot dogs from his mother!

While waiting 25 minutes in line for the hot dog Ross saw the Dippin' Dots and tried to jump ship on the hot dog but we compromised at got them after he ate the dog.

Alex got in on the food action too and got cotton candy. Such a delicious, messy treat!

He had it stuck all over him. I love the age when kids figure out if they don't get their fingers wet it doesn't stick. Of course they dont care that they have it stuck on every available area on their body.

He said the Dippin Dots were too cold to eat with a spoon so he picked them up with his finger.

Of coure we had to take our picture together.

We called the Hogs a lot!

After a while of eating and watching the game Ross decided he needed to play a game on my phone.

I took it out of the case and he said the case was his hat. He wore the hat for a while.

Razorbacks won! It was a fun game and a fun time with the family! Daddy didn't get to go b/c he had to go to a wedding. I'm sure he'll make the next one.

Grace Christmas program and party

Grace had their annual program the Friday before Christmas. This year Ross actually had a part and was a shepherd. Of course we sat on the wrong side so I didn't get good pictures of him.

Some of his friends were Wise Men.

Pastor gave a quick devotion on the manger that I'd never heard before. If you would turn it on it's side and look at it from the end it looks like a cross.

Sweet shepherd.

After the program we had pizza for lunch with the school in his room so I got to take some pictures. His favorite Ms. Lois and Ms. Shannon.

We love Ms. Christine too!

Crazy buddy Barrett. Ross gets to have play dates with him sometime.

The red heads, Anna Beth and Josh. They have been buds since they were wee Freshman.



A picture with Mommy! A rarity.

 

It was a fun day! More posts to come. I'm behind on the Christmas ones since we didn't have power for so long. 

Christmas Card Outtakes

We took the kids outside when it was a fairly warm day to get some pictures for Christmas cards. Avery was a pro and held her letters. Ross wasn't much in the mood so gave me funny poses. I think it makes them all the better.

Christmas cards were mailed Saturday so everyone should get theirs very soon.