Merry Christmas

                               

I'm not just a bad {cell phone} photographer - trying to crop out our precious extra babies. ;-) Merry Christmas - Emmanuel!

Nashville's Nutcracker

A sweet person {whom we had met once} gave the girls and I tickets to Nashville's Nutcracker along with money to valet park and get snacks at intermission. At a time when I was feeling discouraged (by DCS dealings), this was an especially amazing gift. What a surprise it all was!

Speaking of surprises...

Jon left each of us a rose in our car seat. :) Thanks for those and for hanging with the other three kiddos on a night you're usually working, Love!

Little mommy :)

Words can't express how rare {and wonderful} this is! Progress, D, progress!
Annnnd he just threw the book across the room before I could even finish typing...

Happy 7th birthday, Eli!!! We love you {xoxoxo}!
Eli followed clues to find where his new Lego sets were hidden. :) He's already been working away!

Lily presented her composer brochure about Camille Saint-Saens in music class today. We got to hear the class play their recorders as well. Lily has worked hard learning to read the notes and play {without squawking} - good job, Lily Girl!

New trick and a Craft

Look at Baby J learning to sit up!!  She turned six months old last Tuesday - happy half birthday, precious girl!  {You have no idea how it pains me to crop her face out.}

The three oldest kids and I spent Saturday morning making coffee filter show flakes.  It's unseasonably warm here, but our front window looks like winter. :)

Rudolph Race

Jon and Eli completed their second season of running club with a 5k on Friday night.  Eli cut 8 minutes off his time from last year, and that was with a slow start trying to weave through the extremely crowded course!  We are so proud of you, Eli!  He raced to the cheers of the rest of us, Aunt Allie, Uncle Jeff, cousin Brody, Aunt Madie, and Papa.  It brought back fun memories of the days Jon and I ran in high school and college.  :) We met through cross country, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. :) 

                               

                                           

                             

Quick Trip

  We got to spend last weekend with my parents, sisters, and their families in a cabin in east Tennessee.  We were hesitant to bring our whole crew on the drive and especially D into a new environment.  Thankfully, it was a great trip!  We enjoyed hanging out and playing pool, ping pong, and a vintage video game.  The seven of us also took a hike in the Smoky Mountains to see Laurel Falls.  Lily and Eli have made the 2.6 miles before, but Kaylee hiked it for the first time - good job, KB! Because I can't post photos of #4 or #5, I'm limited in what I can show you...a couple shots from the car and from dinner at Cracker Barrel :) that don't show their cute faces...