Christmas Baking

Molly Kate helped me make the red velvet cake today! That is the traditional Christmas cake in my family. Mom found it in a Redbook magazine back in the 1980s and we have made it every year since. We really wished Nana had been here to make it with us, but we had fun anyway. You know you have to make it a few days in advance for it to sit in the fridge and really be good on Christmas Day!

Molly Kate is such a big help and loves to cook just as much as I do. I am so thankful that I can share that with her! You know, I am not too good at "pretendering" with her but I can cook and color all day long! Merry Christmas everyone!

Molly Kate's Christmas Program

Molly Kate's Christmas Program at school was last Tuesday and we couldn't have been more proud! Unlike last year when she didn't sing a word and just pulled her dress over her head, this year she sang her heart out and smiled the entire time! I have to admit that I did put her in a pants outfit this year just in case!! Her class sang three songs by themselves and sang a few more with the big group as a whole. Nana, Mawmaw and Pawpaw came too and afterwards, we all went to Red Robin for lunch in honor of her "big day!" Yummy!!

Nowhere to Run (or Hide!)

Look out Sam, the tree, presents, DVDs under the TV...Anna is on the prowl and no one or nothing is safe (or well-rested!). We cannot turn our back on her for more than a second and she is into something! Eric said tonight that we had bad timing in having her so she would be crawling right at Christmas! We play zone defense in our house - one of us has to sit in front of the tree to defend while the other is stationed near the fireplace hearth and TV to head her off there! Molly Kate also gets in on the action even if she does pull a little too tightly to steer Anna straight! Needless to say, we are all exhausted, except for Anna it seems, but are loving every second of it and seem to be laughing at her constantly! She really is entertaining and definitely full of life!

Up on the Housetop...

Well, Clark W. Griswold, Jr., has made his annual appearance at the Green House! While he may not have been quite as punctual as normal, he came in rare form with a new fake tree - yes, pigs are flying around here - colored lights, and orange candles. Eric, as usual, has done a great job of decorating the house! Those who know him well will not believe that he almost decided not to put up the lights this year since we were so busy and didn't have the chance to do them Thanksgiving weekend. All of that changed when we found out the family was coming here Christmas Day for an "fun, old-fashioned family Christmas," he got so excited and headed straight for the ladder! He did the lights while we were gone to lunch which made me a little nervous, but our neighbor, Creed, was with him all day so I was able to digest my food without too much worry! Everything looks great and we can't wait for everyone to see the house!

You're welcome Alabama Power...

Santa with Lucy and Savannah

We went to Brookwood Mall for our annual Santa visit with Nana, Savannah and Lucy. Since we added a cousin this year, Lucy got bumped from Santa's lap but she was OK with that! This time, Anna did much better (thanks to the other three distracting her!) and we have a great picture of them all as a memory! After sitting on his lap, we all had cookies in the mall, thanks to Nana of course! We all love this tradition and look forward to it each year! Molly Kate is excited to see the big man more than once just to make sure he remembers what all she wants, "a pink castle, teddy bear and a new toy for Anna!"

Lights, Camera, Drool...

My friend Crystalyn took the cutest pictures of her son, Gus Brown, last year at Christmas and I just HAD to have some with Anna! She was kind enough to come over - lights, black blanket and all - and help me get some cute ones. I hope you enjoy them. I LOVE them and can't tell Crystalyn and Gus Brown thanks enough!

Christmas Collage

I have learned a new collage from Kari and had to try it out with some of our Christmas pictures that we have taken so far. You may see some of these again on our card - that is, if I ever get them in the mail!! Merry Christmas from the Greens!

Visiting Santa

OK...so maybe we thought Anna's first trip to see Santa was going pretty well. We dressed them in their Christmas PJs, as per our tradition, and headed to Bass Pro. Can you believe Santa shops there - Eric is thrilled! We were first in line so there was no big wait to witness other kids start crying from Santa, so we were happy. Molly Kate did so good and was so excited - she even asked Santa to bring her baby sister a new toy - that was nice of her, huh? Luckily, the elves took a good pic of the girls (Anna was holding on to Molly Kate just in case) before Anna looked up and actually SAW the big guy! As you can tell, she erupted and Santa, who was not in the best of moods, said, "I think she's done!" What a hoot but at least we have a good picture of them!

Fashion Statement

Just had to include this picture of Anna. Despite the fact that she wonders why her socks fit more like tights, she is still smiling!