Christmas Eve with Gigi & Bubba

Now that we're back in our home state, we rejoined the tradition of going to Gigi & Bubba's on Christmas eve.  We had a wonderful meal of salad, steak, shrimp, and baked potatoes; and Ginger's famous Apple Pie and Red Velvet cake for dessert.  Then, it was the time the kids had been waiting for...PRESENTS!!!

tear into it!

 a new Lego friend

 a sea scope to explore in the lake

 more magna-tiles to add to his collection

 Candy from Ginger & Alan

 Season Passes to Dollywood & Splash Country

 sweet, sweet girl

 a new game for her Leap Pad

 Cooper got a new game too!

 Candy for Cooper (Holly Jolly, Holly Jolly Christmas!)

 a motorhome!

 so much fun playing together

 Greg & I were there too!

 When we got home, the kids put out food for Santa's reindeer

 found snowflake and his note

Dear Reagan and Cooper,

Today's my last day, I must say good-bye.

Tonight I must go, to the North Pole I'll fly.

But Santa will be here with gifts and good cheer,

and I will be back the same time next year.

So be a good boy and girl, and take care of yourself-

remember the fun times you had with Snowflake the Elf.

But above all else, remember what's true,

That God sent us Jesus, a gift that never leaves you.

Love,

Snowflake

set out cookies for Santa

 Cooper was not happy that he couldn't have a cookie!

The kids received so many great gifts tonight ~ rain coats, snow boots (hopefully we'll get to use them soon!), games, toys, season passes.  We are so blessed!

Thanks Gigi, Bubba, Ginger & Alan

Sleepy Snowflake

Snowflake must be tired from all of those trips back and forth to the North Pole!  We found him cozy and sleeping this morning!

 

Cookies

Snowflake must want Reagan to make some more of her delicious Christmas cookies ~ we found him in the mixer this morning!

hint taken, we made cookies after dinner tonight.  (no pictures, all of our hands were covered in dough!)

 We had a LAZY day today! The kids visited the Sandidge Cinema (the basement) to watch a couple of Christmas movies.  They had blankets, drinks, and popcorn. 

 Meet the newest Reindeer, Cooper!

Curtain Call

Today we found Snowflake hanging from the curtain rod.  He knew he needed to be up high because we were having a Christmas party for our Bible Study group tonight and those kids can get a little rowdy!

a view from the top!

 Today was Cooper's Christmas party at school.  They had made these Christmas tree hand print t-shirts earlier in the week and he wanted to wear it for the party. 

Let's Eat / Christmas Party

Today was a fun day ~ we found Snowflake hiding out in the china cabinet and then Reagan's class had their "Winter Party" this afternoon.

think he's ready for Christmas Dinner?

 The class had pizza from Little Caesar's

 The girls

 The boys

They also had hot chocolate with marshmallows

 Reagan and her table mate Maritza

 waiting for the gift exchange

 Reagan received a puzzle for her gift

 There were several craft & fun stations set up for the kids.  At this one, the kids got to frost sugar cookies and put sprinkles on them.

 Even Greg got in on the fun.  He "manned" snowball game.

 Getting ready for pin the nose on the snowman

 She did it perfectly

 Reagan's turn to throw snowballs

 she was the highest scoring girl

 they also made snowmen out of marshmallows

Snowmen

Snowflake brought some friends back from the North Pole last night ~ there were a few snowmen hanging out when we woke up this morning!

 

 Cooper LOVES Snowflake and says he is part of our family, so he wanted to get his picture made with him before school

Coloring

Snowflake was up to his old tricks again this morning.  We found him on the art table where he had colored in one of the kids' coloring book.

He colors very neatly!

I went to visit my Papaw Carl today.  He was recently moved into a nursing home and I wanted to go check and see how he was doing!  Still smiling!!!

 I guilted my dad into getting his picture made with Papaw too!

Still

Snowflake didn't switch places last night.  Unfortunately, Cooper had accidentally touched him while trying to get him out of his magna-tiles.  So, Snowflake lost his power for a day and had to stay in the same spot.

Magnetic Personality

Snowflake wanted to play with one of Cooper's favorite toys today.  We found him in the magna-tiles this morning.

 After church, we helped Bubba celebrate his birthday by going out to eat at a Mexican restaurant.

Bubba got fried ice cream...

 ...and he also got to wear a sombrero!

 Cooper was such a cutie in the sombrero

 Forget the sombrero, Reagan wanted the ice cream!

Happy Birthday Bubba!  We love you!

Snowflake Surprise

Snowflake had a surprise for all of us this morning.  The kids found Snowflake in the back seat of the van with a note.

 We surprised the kids by taking them to see the show at the Dixie Stampede.

Before the show started, we walked around the place and saw the horses

 Reagan couldn't believe she was actually at the Dixie Stampede!

 Daddy and Cooper looked at the horses

 We went in the Saloon for a some refreshment and pre-show music

 Ready for the real show to begin

I obeyed the rules and didn't take any pictures during the show, but the look on the kids' faces was priceless.  They were so entertained and happy to be there.  They sang, cheered, high-fived, laughed and had the time of their lives!

 

Here is our "official" picture from the evening!

Hanging Around

We found Snowflake hanging out with the Santas on the tree this morning.  He was very camouflaged and Reagan & Cooper had a hard time spotting him today.

 

Buried Treasure

We found Snowflake in the treasure box this morning, but there was no treasure!