Our 2022 Gingerbread House

 I forgot to post our 2022 gingerbread house.  The girls did a great job working together!  I love it!

Goodwill Shopping

 When your big sister invites you shopping, you (happily) become the clothes holder!

Pierced Ears

Part of Maggie's birthday present from us was to get her ears pierced.  However, she couldn't swim for two weeks and given the fact that we live at the pool in the summer she wanted to wait.  Then she got a little nervous and wasn't in a hurry to get them pierced.  Last week she asked if we could go this week to get them done.  We agreed.  Then Caroline, who has been asking for several weeks, asked if she could also get her second hole on the same day.  So both girls got their ears pierced and did great.  One advantage is that they can hold each other accountable for cleaning their holes each morning and evening.

 

Christmas Lights around town

 One of our very first dates, Andy took me around town to see all the famous neighborhoods that decorated for Christmas.  Almost every year since then, we have continued this tradition.  When the girls were older, we would pick up a pizza to enjoy while riding around town.  This year, we just never had a free night to continue our tradition.  Then once school was out and we had the time, it rained A LOT!  So we decided that tonight would be a perfect time to go.  I loved every minute and most likely enjoyed it more than my children...

Christmas with Ms. Susan and Katy

Andy and I hosted his mom, sister and her children for Christmas day lunch.  Lunch wasn't quite ready when they arrived so we opened gifts first.  All the kids were excited with their gifts.  Sadly once again I didn't take enough pictures...although I think I took more that may have gotten deleted thanks to my new YouTuber...We enjoyed a wonderful meal together and then felt pretty lazy.  
 

Merry Christmas!!

Caroline was a good sport sleeping in Maggie's room with her, a tradition the girls started once Maggie was out of her crib.  Thankfully they were asleep by 8:30.  I heard them chatting at 4 am.  I went in to check on them and Caroline said "Maggie needed to go potty but I went with her to make sure she didn't peak!"  Needless to say, they didn't go back to sleep...at 5:25 they woke us up, ready to open presents.  

Both girls were super excited with these items.  Mags is like a pull over while Caroline's is more of a full length blanket with arm holes.

We all had matching pj's but I failed to take a family picture in our matching pj's.  Oh well.  Just for the record, it was Caroline's idea for us to get matching pj's...but I'm not sad about it!!  It was fun!

Caroline had her friend paint a canvas of this amazing picture of her and Mema.  Andy had tears in his eyes...such a thoughtful gift!!!!

Mags was super excited about her new watch which also tracks her steps.

We saved the best for last.  After the girls had opened all their gifts, we asked them each what their favorite item was.  Caroline said her blanket, Mags said her watch.  We let them continue with their gifts and grabbed Caroline's new phone from her room.  She was SHOCKED when she opened it.  She was so excited to have an upgrade from her current 6S Plus. :-)

 After presents, we enjoyed yummy Christmas morning tradition Monkey Bread and fruit.  It was a sweet morning.  Andy and I managed a little nap before getting ready for church.  I'm thankful for these days and I sure with they could last forever...

Christmas Eve at Church

 Tonight we attended our Christmas Eve service at church.  It was a sweet service.  Our kids sang two really sweet songs.  Such a gift to celebrate the coming of our King...

Christmas at Granny's

We gathered at mom's house for brunch.  It was delicious and we were all stuffed!  I haven't eaten lunch yet and I don't think we will.  After brunch, we did a white elephant exchange.  It was awesome!!  We laughed until we cried!!  It was so much fun, I can't wait for next year!  In the picture above, Caroline got the gift that I wrapped in saran wrap.  There were many layers with gifts in several layers.  In the end, although it took her a good 5-10 minutes, she was mostly excited with the Palmetto Moon gift card. 

Uncle Andy stole Mary Claire's popcorn bucket, movie money, cokes and candy.  She said "Uncle Andy I can never look at you the same!"

Jared had no clue what he was about to unwrap!!!!  Claire did a great job...by far the funniest gift of the day!!!!!

Granny unwrapped the YouTuber's bundle...

Poor Mags lost 3 gifts...a gift card to dinner stolen by Joy, a car wash certificate by Uncle Bob, the pot by Granny and she finished the evening with the YouTube set.

Mary Claire quickly forgave Uncle Andy.  She was thrilled with her insulated mug, blanket, apple cider and socks.  She told me she would report back to let me know how well the mug worked. 

 It was a great day!!

Bentley got us good!

Typically Bentley does funny things, hides in silly places but never has he made such a mess as he did this morning.  We woke up to toilet tissue EVERYWHERE!!!!  It was like a booby trap.  Maggie walked out and said "BENTLEY!  I am speechless!"  And if you know Maggie it isn't often that she is speechless. 

 

Christmas with Andy's family

 This year we changed things up.  Instead of gathering on Christmas Eve like we have in the past, we gathered today, a day early.  We had a light meal but we all walked away stuffed.  Sadly I didn't get pictures of everyone, just these three.  I will do better next year!!  But regardless of the lack of pictures, we had a great time.  It was good to be together!!

Cookies and cards with Grace

 

Last year we had so much decorating cookies with Grace.  So we asked her to pencil us in when she came home.  We LOVED our time with her.  She is such a sweetie and is a good mediator between the girls.  Once we baked all the cookies, it was time to decorate.  The girls all got creative with their decorating.  The cookies turned out so cute!!  After cookies we played several rounds of Dutch Bliss.  Caroline beat us both so bad but we still had fun!!  Thankful for these moments together!!

Singing at our local assisted living home

 Our GS kids have been practicing Christmas songs for our Christmas Eve service.  This afternoon we went to a local assisted living home and sang for them.  It was so sweet!  The kids did a great job.  We came back to the church and had pizza for dinner.  After dinner, we assembled stove top potpourri bags to give out on Christmas Eve.

A quiet morning!

 This morning both girls slept in and I got to enjoy warm apple cider and a Hallmark movie by the glow of the Christmas lights.  It was wonderful!  I was so thankful for this time...which doesn't happen often...