Twas The Day Before Christmas

A few of the activities on Christmas Eve 2009.

Baking cookies for Santa

Putting flour on the cabinet Rolling out the doughMaking fun shapes with the cookie cutters Love watching these little hands at workMother / Daughter fun

Batch #1Batch #2Goofy girl! Putting sugar on the cookies Next comes the sprinkles "you're doing a great job!"

ready to bake Hot out of the oven

Reagan has redecorated the house a little ~ she moved Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus into the toy room... ...and the angels into the bathroom Next, we had a birthday party for JesusCooper and Daddy No party would be complete without party hats

and cake

and ice cream Reagan and Daddy singing Then, we went to church for the Christmas Eve Service. Showing some sibling love Mommy & Cooper trying out the timer on the cameraFamily portrait before church Playing in the kids' area

Such a sweetie Cooper found him a new girlfriend since Natalie was out of town Lover boy! Family portrait after churchNew Christmas PJs Showing the full length view

This was the best I could get of them in their coordinating pajamasPutting Santa's cookie table in just the right spot Isn't he just so cute?

Reagan & I hung the stockings (they haven't been up until tonight because of a certain 2 year old in the house that thought they were fun to swing from!)

Getting Santa some chocolate milkReagan was so proud of the cookies and the platter she made to put them onWe received a gift from Ms Kim tonight ~ our own Santa family for the tree

Christmas Eve Breakfast

We had a family Christmas Eve Breakfast date this morning. We tried our favorite IHOP, but the line was too long and the kids were too hungry ~ so, we ended up at Bojangle's.

Cooper doesn't care where we eat, as long as we eat

Reagan really wanted to eat at IHOPbreakfast is served

She told jokes all morning Just gorgeous!After breakfast, Greg and Reagan went to serve lunch at the Grace House Homeless Center. This is a picture before they left ~ since I wasn't there, there are no pictures of the actual event!

We hope to make serving those less fortunate than us a tradition with both the kids as they get older. We are so blessed and want to share what God has given to us with others.

The House That Reagan Built

Today was our 2nd annual gingerbread house decorating day. This combines Reagan's two loves ~ baking and crafts. She did an excellent job on the house. It will be our centerpiece on the dining room table.

Picking out just the right color bead

So meticulous

Looking good!

Concentration on her face

of course, she must lick the icing bowl

All done

Isn't it gorgeous?

the finished product

Gymnastics Camp - Day 3

Today was the last day of gymnastics camp for Reagan. She has enjoyed herself immensely and I couldn't be more proud of what a big girl she has become!

Showing off her new doughnut t-shirt

it's becoming harder and harder to get a good, natural smile out of her "quit taking pictures and let's go!"

Walking in to camp

While Reagan was away...Cooper went grocery shopping...ate Pop Tarts! ...giggled on the couch...tried on some shoes ...looked cute

...and napped (for 4 1/2 hours)

Asking Reagan if she's ready to leave gymnastics..."NOOO"

Over It!

Snow & Ice ~ Day 4. Only the roads and driveways are clear. It has gotten up to 48degrees the past 2 days, but the temperature goes back down into the 20s at night, making for a lot of ice in the mornings.

Gymnastics Camp - Day 2

Reagan was more than a little excited to go to gymnastics camp today. She couldn't wait for Cooper to finish eating his breakfast so she could "go have fun and jump and color and eat her picnic."

Waiting at the door

Unfortunately, Cooper and I had to make a detour to the doctor's office - just a little virus, nothing too serious (just wanted to get him checked out before the holidays...doesn't he look sick?)Wishing Reagan was home to play with himIf she can't be here, he'll just play with her toys

Or change the TV channelsColoring with friends She saw a camera flash and knew it was me!

Future Musicians

Just some good 'ole fun down on the farm!!!

Cute Reagan story: We were watching TV the other night (love my DVR by the way) when Reagan asked the following...

Reagan: "Can we watch the dance?" (So You Think You Can Dance?)

Mom: "We don't have the dance anymore, I erased it"

Reagan: "I want to watch football"

Mom: "You want to watch football?"

Reagan: "Yes, I just love that game"

Mom: "What is your favorite team?"

Reagan: "I don't like the blue team, they can't find the ball. I like the orange team." (Is my girl a true TN fan or what?"

Big Girl

With school being out the next two weeks, Greg and I thought that Reagan would enjoy going to gymnastics camp for three half days. I was a little concerned (ok, maybe I didn't want her to want to go...that meant she's growing up) that she wouldn't want to stay without me, but she walked right in like a big girl, told me bye, and she was going to have fun. She made sure to tell Cooper that he couldn't come because he's "just a baby, not big like me!".

Ready for the 1st day of camp

While Reagan was away, Cooper mowed and I walked around the neighborhood Missing Reagan (he walked around the house looking for Reagan all morning) A little smile beginning to appear When I picked Reagan up, they were coloring Christmas pictures