Ho, Ho...NO!

We had planned to take Reagan and Cooper to see Santa this afternoon, but this is as close as we got!!

Neither child was interested in the jolly old man, so I didn't force them. Santa was very sweet and gave each of them a coloring book and said he would come by their house on Christmas Eve.

So, instead of seeing cute pictures with Santa, here are some photos of them playing at the mall.

Released

Today was Greg's final doctor visit for his hand. He has been fired as a patient because his hand is doing so well. Dr B was very pleased with his progress ~ both in strength and in his ability to make a fist. Hopefully it will be a while before we have to go back to see Dr B ~ although there are signs that the Dupuytren's is beginning to rear its ugly head once again!

a completely straight/flat hand

a complete fist

Outtakes

Today, we tried to have our 2009 Christmas card photo shoot. Here are a few that didn't make the card!

a little out of focus!

Reagan yawningCooper watching TV

Daddy showing Cooper where to look

Cooper looking at daddy

Cooper sucking his fingers

Reagan with her eyes closed & Cooper watching TV again

We did end up with a good picture, but it was a lot of work. You should be receiving your card soon!

O Christmas Tree

My tree has been up for about a week now ~ and amazingly, Cooper hasn't tried to tear it down yet! We (and when I say we, I mean I because Greg could care less!) have a Santa themed tree ~ 99.5% of the ornaments are Santas ~ click on the picture to see the ornaments larger. I love it, but Reagan told me "Santa shouldn't be at the top of the tree. Santa is in the chimney and a star is on the tree" Smart girl!

2009 Sandidge Family Christmas Tree

And for the 1st time ever, I have our (again, when I say our, I mean my...because Greg could care less) Christmas dishes in the china cabinet. The Christmas dishes have been in storage at Gigi and Bubba's house for the last 3 years. Long story, but now they're here...and on display!

Grove Park Inn

Greg and I were blessed to be able to spend 3 nights at the Grove Park Inn this week. I worked an exhibit at a conference that was held at the Inn, so Greg got to spend the nights with me. We had a great time just being a couple, but couldn't wait to see our kids after 4 days without them! Thanks again to Gigi and Bubba for holding down the fort while we were gone!

The Grove Park Inn

We stayed in the historic part of the hotelHistoric = not remodeled in 50 years!!

the bathroom

funny story ~ I had checked in, gotten to my room & 5 minutes later the power went out...and was out for almost 2 hours. This picture was taken in complete darkness.

The National Gingerbread House competition was being held while we were there. Not sure why this picture didn't completely upload, but just imagine a finished birdhouse. This was the 2009 Grand Champion Gingerbread House

This was the youth division champion

the next few shots are gingerbread houses that I thought were pretty good

Greg & I in a picture...together!

I asked a couple to take a close up, and this is what we got

I then asked if she would take a "head shot" and this is what we got. Oh well, no one takes pictures like I would do it, but at least we have a picture of us together!

The Christmas tree in the middle of the inn

Our last morning there, it began to snow

The great fireplace

Bonus Blog

Here are some pictures from Sunday that didn't make the birthday post!

Breakfast for champions!

Drinking milk with daddy Reagan and Keira enjoying spending time with Papaw

All smiles at lunch time

Playing with Cooper's new toys

Picking out more toys she & Cooper "need"

Mornings

As part of our morning routine, Reagan and Cooper brush their teeth in the living room while watching cartoons. Oh, to be a kid again!

It was raining this morning, so Reagan wanted to wear her hood ~ even in the house!

New Wreath

The wreath that I had put on the front door for the past decade finally bit the dust. So, I've been looking for a new wreath since last Christmas. Instead of a wreath, I found this Santa door hanging that I think fits perfectly with all my other Christmas decorations.