Christmas Card Flops

It's always a challenge getting a decent picture of the kids for a Christmas card. This year I tried doing it by myself which is hard since Nick wasn't there to distract/attract the kids to look at the camera. I tried a couple of different locations, but it just wasn't our best "shoot". Trent, as easy-going, sweet, laidback and go-with-the-flow as he is, decided he would NOT like to participate in this year's Christmas card photo. It was funny seeing this side of him and we got the best picture that we could. At least it truly did capture their personalities.

A lazy afternoon

For the past two Sunday afternoons, we have truly relaxed and been lazy and it's been WONDERFUL!! We have gotten home from church, eaten lunch and Nick makes a fire and we really just hang out, watch tv and just enjoy being together. It's hard to keep Nick inside during the spring because he always has a project he's working on or he's doing yardwork or something. And, although there's ALWAYS something to be done inside...laundry, dishes, floors, bathrooms, meal prep., etc... we've been taking some much needed family breaks. (This picture was actually from a Saturday afternoon and Rachel's wearing her cheer uniform. ) But, this pretty much shows what we do when we're lazy!!!

O Christmas Tree...

At the tree farm
(Trent is floating!) :)
Trent loves the tree but doesn't mess with it too much at all!

Rach and Brad were so proud of their decorations!

Our beautiful Christmas tree!

We had a great time picking out and then decorating our Christmas tree this year. Both Rachel AND Bradley were extremely enthusiastic and eager to participate and loved placing ornaments on their 2 chosen branches. They really did have about 2 branches that they favored and they tried to hang every single ornament on those poor droopy branches. Nick and I re-organized a little, but for the most part, we just left it like it was. These years, the tree is representative of our family...and that includes young children who like to do things imperfectly and wonderfully. When they're all grown and out of the house (which I'm not thinking about or looking forward to...) that's the time when we can have the "perfectly" decorated tree where every ornament is placed on just the right branch. The kids especially enjoyed using the step ladder and thought they needed to use it every time...even if that meant they didn't put any ornaments below step ladder level. We got our tree at our traditional cut your own or buy a pre-cut Fraser fir at Jacks Creek Tree Farm. We went with the Fraser so the branches were sturdier. It's neat to think about this being Trent's first Christmas even if he is unaware. It's hard to believe that this is Rachel's 6th Christmas and Bradley's 4th. They have been so precious and fun each year and it just seems to get better and better! The kids are super excited about Santa coming to visit and can't wait to see what he leaves for them. The other day, I wrapped their presents from me and Nick. I had picked up a couple of rolls of kid-themed wrapping paper: Disney princesses for Rachel and Batman for Bradley and just generic Christmas wrap for Trent (since he only has 2 things to open). I usually mix up the wrapping paper and then use tags, but this year I thought it would be so much simpler to wrap the kids' stuff in one kind and not even use tags. The kids loved it...especially their themed wrapping paper. Bradley's batman isn't even Christmas-y, but he loved it anyway.

Upward

Rachel went to her first cheerleading practice on Saturday. Our church has a christian values based basketball/cheerleading program, called Upward. She was so excited about being a cheerleader, wearing a uniform and cheering for her "boy"friends while they play basketball. They had their first practice where they learned some very basic cheerleading motions, learned a VERY basic cheer, had a devotional and played lots of games. (Their cheer was: Go Blue! Go Orange! Go Upward!) Rachel loved every minute of it! Their games officially start in January, so we'll be at the church every Saturday for a couple of months, and we're really looking forward to it!!

Learning Grove Christmas Party

Excited about being there!!

pre-singing, she was all smiles!

pouting Rachel

Tristan, Ella and Drew were singing...but not Bennett or Rach



Rachel's homeschool co-op, Learning Grove, had a Christmas party. The kindergarten class was supposed to sing a few songs that they had practiced and then they would do crafts, snack and hygiene bags for the homeless shelter. The whole program was really cute and the boys and I stayed to watch/participate. Rachel loved it all except for singing with her friends. She refused to sing and just stood there with a pouty expression. Nick and I were a little disappointed and alot surprised. Even though we think she has an outgoing, lively personality, I guess we have to remember that she's 5 and she's still insecure about some things and/or just wants to behave immaturely. We love her so much including all her precious traits and quirks. We had a great time at her Christmas party and were proud to watch her, even if she just stood there.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!

Thanksgiving was great this year...30 people, 9 kids under 5, tons of delicious food all at the Milligan's! We had a blast and all the kids got along very well!

Athens Botanical Gardens

Bradley was watching a helicopter fly over us.

(turns out some guy had murdered his girlfriend and was on the run...

they thought he might be on a golf course up the road from the gardens.

He was actually in Oglethorpe county committing suicide.) We didn't know this while

we were at the gardens...I probably would have left!

I recently took the kids to the Botanical Gardens...just to get out of the house...and it's free! We ended up having a great time. Sometimes it just doesn't take much to entertain us. The kids loved the many gardens of flowers, trees and plants, and "mazes" that ran through them. There were tons of walking and hiking trails along with little streams and even a huge stone world replica that moved over water. We definitely want to take daddy back to do even more exploring. I tried to get a few good pictures while I was there, but it seems like someone's always looking in a different direction. It was a fun afternoon!