End of December 2011

We went to see 6+ productions this year at the Children's Theatre.  The boys and I loved them all.  One day we broke out my cell phone and snapped a few shots.




We went ice skating Uptown.  I was so excited about it -- it was a disaster.  It was warm/slushy and people were falling/being carried about by ER/ambulance left and right.  Noah and Miles were unable to go around without me holding them up (breaking my back).  Miles was pretty stiff in his movements to ensure he wouldn't fall.  Big difference from the pond ice skating in New England that I remember from my youth.



Super random shot.  Have to include it though because it pops up on my phone every time Mike calls me.  This silly shot is ingrained in my brain.


Noah's teacher is the sweetest.  She gave every student the sweetest Christmas presents - including a personalized dry erase board.  Noah loved his!!


A huge group of us went Christmas caroling in the neighborhood.  I was a little unsure about it but it was really fun.  The kids got so excited running from house to house, ringing doorbells to see who was home.  We ended up having people a few people open doors and wait for us, excited for some tunes.


Dana came home from China.  Oh how we missed her!  We hated that Brad couldn't join too until January.



I was so behind on our holiday cards that we had to set up a huge assembly line with my parents and the boys to get them stuffed quickly and sent out the door!


A little reading time with gram.  Love how it probably started with Griffin and Miles and Noah made their way over to listen "just a little".


We made our annual gingerbread house.  We took a quick photo before someone ripped off the roof.


I gave the boys little pads to draw on.  Miles drew this instantly.  Loved it - including the spot light!


Griffin asked Mike to teach him how to play chess.  Mike spent about 10 minute going over the rules and every man and that was all he needed.  He started asking to play every morning and was instantly better than me (he started saying, "dad, i think i want to play against mom today so that i can win.")


Miles and his amazing teacher, Ms Hartman.


A few photos with our Clerico-Schubert-Hedgepth-Brown celebration.  I have so few!







Dana gave the boys Angry Bird hats from China.  They LOVED them.






Lindsey and Jason gave Miles a magic set.  He opened it, scooped it up, and spread it out in the bathroom so he could learn his tricks in secret.  He and Jason came out a little while later and Miles held a magic show for us all.  Love!






We spent Christmas in New Bern.  Feeding the reindeer on New Year's Eve {these are quality pictures, people!}

Christmas eve.

A few stocking goodies.

Griffin doing some magic with Grandma Peggy.

Mike gave Miles a remote control airplane for Christmas.  Miles loved it.  Mike LOVED it.  Bob LOVED it.  Pretty soon Mike and Bob were on amazon ordering their own.  haha

As always, Legos were a huge part of Christmas loot and post-Christmas activities.  Each boy had his own set-up around the house to build.

 

Pretend sad faces.  Or do they really hate my camera?  haha

Out for a walk in the neighborhood to work off Christmas goodies!

Grandma and Grandpa gave Noah and camera for Christmas.  He latched on instantly.

Life Group

I've been in my life group now for a year and a half and I love it.  The group is made up of such amazing women and I feel blessed to know them and study God's word and serve Charlotte with them each week.  We all got together for a Christmas brunch at my house.

I didn't break out my camera until Julie left and Deanna wasn't able to join that day.  Most everyone was able to come through.









Part of the day was a little gift exchange.  Rules given were "spend around $15".  Everyone picked a number and then would pick a gift and then the gift could be stolen by someone else when it was their turn to pick.  Mind you, most of this group has been together for YEARS and I'd never done a gift exchange with them before.  As I was shopping the day before, I stumbled upon what I thought was The Best Gift.  It was a box of "athletic conditioning type workouts" from one of the female trainers from the Biggest Loser.  It was titled "Hot Bod Now."  I thought it looked funny and practical and could be fun.  That is until everyone was opening cute decorative plates.  Cute tea towels.  Cute frames.  This is the response when my gift was opened:


I was pretty embarrassed that I'd totally missed the mark by giving a "funny gift" and couldn't stop laughing.  Mind you, I also wrote on the front of the gift bag, "You know you want this!"  I kind of built the gift up before it was even opened.  I couldn't help myself and "stole" the gift when it was my turn to pick so that Laren could get a nice, normal gift.  I must admit, I've opened the box and done some workouts already.  I maintain that it is fun and practical.  BUT I'm pretty sure that box will be popping up in another bible study gift exchange in the future.  :)

One of the best parts of the bible study was seeing Angie and Alex.  Angie and JT adopted Alex from the Dominican Republic.  Its been a long journey to adopt him and it was such a treat to see him and talk to him a little.  What an incredible boy he is and what a gift from God!



You can see more of Alex's story here: http://ourtreasureourheart.blogspot.com
Its a beautiful, amazing story.

Billy Graham Library

My bible study gathered at the Billy Graham Library one night to celebrate Christmas and spend some time together.  I snapped a couple of photos while we were there.

Miles and Reid - the duo


Reid, Noah, Griffin and Drew


Griffin and Noah checking out the live nativity scene



"If I close my eyes, you can't take a photo of me."  I stopped snapping after that.  :)

Griffin and "the suitcase"

Griffin's preschool class has several "suitcases".  Inside the "suitcase" (tote bag) is a book and a lovie that goes with it.  Believe me when I say that NOTHING is more exciting than getting to bring the suitcase home.  You get to read the book (we usually park and read the book before we leave the school grounds) and play with the lovie until bedtime.  The lovie MUST sleep in the bag, per school rules, and Griffin follows the instructions, tucking the lovie in just before I tuck him in.  It is darling.

When Griffin brought the Gingerbread Man home we forgot to take photos, so the next day I had lunch at school so we could recreate the love.  :)  Precious.

PS We love Griffin's teachers, Ms Amos (with the book) and Ms Pickett.  Noah had these same teachers.  For Ms Amos's birthday, each student made her a card and then all the cards were put in a birthday book for her.  The kids LOVED hearing her read their cards and share with the class.  Precious.