December 2013

It is hard to know where to start (especially since we are in the middle of January now!).  Christmas this year was bittersweet because it was our first trip back to Alpharetta, but Gregg was not able to be with us on Christmas.

Before we left, we were able to go, as a family, to the Carter Protective Detail's Christmas party.  It was nice to get to know some of the other agents and their families.  We also got to introduce the kids to President and Mrs. Carter.  She admired Adalynn and told me that she had 3 boys, and many years later had Amy.  She said, "You can imagine how much fun I had with her!"

Zeke had planned on asking President Carter about living in the white house, but by the end of the evening when we had our photo taken, Zeke was tired and didn't ask him.  Oh well, it was still a nice evening!

I received a new camera as an early Christmas gift, so I had some fun trying to take photos of the kids.  Here are several outtakes with the "one" in the center!

We had a pleasant evening together at home the day before the kids and I left for Alpharetta.  We do not have a mantle in our new home, so I improvised!  We opened gifts and spent some time as a family.  Of course, Adalynn enjoyed the tissue paper more than the gifts!

Here is a flashback of Zeke from last year standing next to our toy soldier.  I plan to take a photo like this each year as we watch him grow (Zeke, not the soldier!).

Zeke helped Wynna bake the cherry and pumpkin pies.  He loves to help any way he can!

Christmas Eve was spent worshiping at Perimeter Church, then we went out for our annual Italian dinner.  This year we went to Mona Lisa.  It was extremely cold, so we all had to bundle up.

Next, we put the kids in their Christmas PJs and put them to bed for the night. 

As I think I mentioned before, we have prayed about how to handle Santa.  We didn't focus on him much, but did tell Zeke he could ask Santa for one thing.  He asked for a Thomas puzzle.  When he woke up the next morning, he was excited, but didn't really seem too focus on who left the gifts.  He was just excited to see gifts!

Jared, Jami, and the girls came over to celebrate Christmas Day.  We had a wonderful time eating, visiting, and playing together.  The older cousins can play more independently and have so much fun together.  It is fun to see Kariss take the lead as the "little Mommy!"

 

After Christmas, we went to ride the pink pink at Lenox Mall.  It was a first for all of us!

All of the kids in the outfits my mom made.  So cute!

We took an outing to North Point Mall to meet my friend Brandy with her 3 boys.  We had Jami's 3, my 2, and Brandy's 3 along with Wynna.  We were quite the party.  The kids had a blast riding the train.

Finally,we were reunited with Gregg!  He came up to be with us for New Year's.  We took time to thank God for all of the blessings He has given us.  There are not words to express our gratitude.  We pray all of you had a blessed Christmas and New Year.