A Very Busy Christmas

Opening presents with the Dawsons
Andrew playing with his new cars
Evie and Keena having fun with playdo
Evie and Andrew eating at their new table at Nana and Papa's

Evie pretending to make cookies with her new mixer

Daddy wrestling Spiderman out of the box

Andrew standing in his little wagon

A tired boy

We have such a large family and want to see everyone, so Christmas is a bit of a marathon. We started with breakfast at the Dawsons' in Fall Brach. Evie and Andrew got to play with their cousins and get hugs and kisses from all the aunts and uncles. They played so well and shared all their toys. Andrew didn't want to open a single present though! After breakfast we loaded into the van and headed for the Hedricks' in Andersonville. The kids got to see Dylan, Trey, and Seth. They were too excited to even eat their lunch. Our last stop of the day was at Nana and Papa's. They opened even more presents and had fun playing while the adults ate dinner. We finally made it back to our house at 8:30. The van was so full we couldn't see out the rearview mirror. Evie got to read her new book about the real meaning of Christmas before we all fell into bed. It is a blessing to be surrounded by family as we celebrate the birth of the Christ child.

Breakfast with Dad

Eating breakfast at the new picnic table
Papaw helping Evie open her present
Andrew playing with his Dora magnadoodle

After our late night it was hard to get up this morning, but we went back over to Laura and Jeremiah's house to have breakfast with Dad. The kids ate grapes and fruity Cheerios. They got to play with all their toys from the night before plus a new present from Papaw and Auntie Laura for each of them. They were much calmer this morning after a good night of sleep.

Christmas with Mimi

Auntie Laura and Mimi helping open presents

Andrew cruising around in his new car

Evie playing in her ball pit house

We had Christmas dinner with Mimi at Laura and Jeremiah's house tonight. Evie and Andrew had so much fun playing with all their presents. They were a little tired and overwhelmed, so they had a few squabbles in the ball pit and over the car.

Christmas at Home

Evie opening her Dora bike

Andrew checking out his new dumptruck

Evie so excited she has a Minnie Mouse

Andrew hugging his little Dalmation
We celebrated Christmas at our house this afternoon with the kids. Evie was so excited to get her Dora bike and then she wanted to help everyone else open their gifts. Andrew was a little overwhelmed by it all.

Andrew's Truck

Andrew had so much fun driving Evie around in his truck! They don't normally share very well, so this was really sweet.

Holiday Lights at The Cove

We took the kids to The Cove at Concord Park tonight to see Christmas lights. I don't think I have ever seen Evie so excited. She wanted to run down the path to see everything all at once. Andrew didn't seem to care too much about the lights...he just wanted to walk.




Daddy and Evie looking at the "ginger woman and ginger man"

Evie, Mommy, and Andrew in front of the snowman

Y-12 Christmas Party

We went to Phil's company Christmas party at the Knoxville Marriott tonight. Evie and Andrew got to see Santa, but I think Santa was the only one happy about having his picture taken. There were so many people there we didn't stay very long.

Evie, Santa, and Andrew

Andrew, much happier after having dinner

Daddy and Evie eating dinner

Our First Pet

We have our first pet! His name is Fishy (given to him by Evie). Evie wanted us to get Fishy out to play, so we had to explain that fish live in the water.

Evie's Preschool Picture

Evie decorated a pretty Christmas preschool picture to hang on our tree.

Sunday School Christmas Party

Our Sunday School class had our Christmas party tonight at the Morgans' house. The kids got to play outside in an inflatable bouncer. We had lots of yummy food, presents for all the kids, and white elephant gifts for the adults.

The dads watching Evie, Kate, Gavin, and Garrett play in the inflatable

Luke wearing his beads

Andrew opening his hammer set from Gavin

Andrew, Kaitlyn, and Kate playing with magnets

Eddie Claus

Evie opening her Dora doll from Kate

Milk and Cookies with Santa

Evie and Andrew were invited by Gavin and Garrett to go have milk and cookies with Santa at the zoo. We bundled up, but it was hard to stay warm when the temperature was only 23 degrees. We thought it would be inside, but Santa was just in a big tent with no heat. It was so cold we didn't stay in line to see Santa. We just waved at him as we walked by. We ate our cookies and let Evie ride the carousel one time.

Watching the snow

A cold winter blast moved into Knoxville this afternoon and the kids got to watch it snow. This was the first time Andrew has seen snow. He napped through the first snow of the season this year, but he didn't miss it today.

Chuck E Cheese

Miss Dawn and Andrew playing basketball

Evie in the monster truck
Taking a break with Mr.Bill
Yummy, birthday cake!

The kids went to their friend Gavin's 5th birthday party at Chuck E Cheese tonight. They had so much fun running around and playing games. Evie loved the bee game, but the monster truck scared her. Andrew managed to dump out two cups of coke while we were there. He and Miss Dawn had a good time walking around and riding in the little cars.

CBCB Christmas Program

Tonight Phil played with the Central Orchestra in his first big performance since picking the tuba back up in August. His parents, grandmother, and mother-in-law all joined us at Christmas Canticles and Living Christmas Cards. It was such a wonderful performance and we are all so proud of him!

A Toddler's Nativity

Mimi came to visit today so that she could come to the Christmas Program at Central Baptist Bearden. While she was here, Evie got to put up her Little People Nativity. It is a wonderful tool for telling a toddler the Christmas story. We all had so much fun talking about the joy that surrounded the birth of Jesus.

Fall Branch Santa Parade

We took the kids to the Christmas parade in Fall Branch on Saturday. They sat in Jean and Raymond's front yard. We saw horses, firetrucks, floats, tractors, and Santa. Andrew watched the entire parade with his mouth hanging open. He didn't even try to get out of Daddy's arms he was so fascinated. Evie had fun waving at everyone and picking up all the candy.

Best Friends Reunion

Stevie, Jess, Jeff, Jennifer, Amanda, Thomas, Derek, Rebecca, Janet, and Phil

Jennifer's First Turkey

The day after Thanksgiving all my best friends from high school got together with our husbands for dinner. Jeff and Jennifer were gracious enough to let us come to their new house and Jennifer baked her first turkey! Amanda and Thomas came in from California. Rebecca and Derek drove in from Virginia and shared some exciting news with everyone. They are having a baby in June! Jessica brought her new husband from Scotland, Stevie, for everyone to meet. We had a great time eating and talking while the guys watched football!