Christmas Eve

B-man's family always has their big Christmas Dinner on Christmas Eve. So, we were glad to be able to join them this year! While we were there, we got the BEST present ever! B-man called from Afghanistan while we were there and we were all so excited to hear his voice! Boo was really happy to talk to his Dad and Lil Bit was pointing and jumping towards the phone when she could hear him talking. B-man's family also watched the kids so that I could talk to B-man in private for a few minutes! Thank you so much!!


Uncle A was also in town and most of you know that B-man and Uncle A are twins. Boo is old enough to really know the difference between them, but Lil Bit thought Uncle A was B-man. She would reach for him and would go to sit in his lap when she hasn't done that to anyone else since we've been in town. It was really kind of sweet. Uncle A was kind enough to oblige her.

I didn't get any pic of that on my camera...how about you K and Aunt P?


After a delicious dinner with turkey and all of the fixings, we got to open presents while Bit napped.

Waiting patiently.

Look, Mom! It's from CARS2!
He was so excited about every single gift!

It was Bit's turn after she woke up from her nap.

Yay! A bag to carry around!



A purse and bracelet.

Later that night, Aunt R came to BeBe and PawPaw's house because she was going to have to work on Christmas Day. Uncle D was under the weather, and didn't make it. Thanks Aunt R and Uncle D for the gifts! 



Of course, they spent most of the time in this box!



Then it was time to get ready to leave cookies for Santa! Boo was very particular about putting the cookies on Santa's plate and also wanted to help pour the milk for Santa.

After setting out the cookies, PawPaw and Boo went to dig up some turnips to leave for the reindeer.

We left the turnips and some water on the porch for Rudolph and friends.


Then, it was off to bed so Santa could visit!

Celebrating at Mama Love's

Last Sunday we went up to see Mama Love and my Dad's side of the family for our Christmas get together. It's been soooo long since I've seen my cousins on this side of the family! They've grown up into fine young men and one of them is getting married this weekend! I can remember playing with him when he was an itty bitty! And now he's getting married.

Lil Bit joins all of the children who have passed through this house in playing on the piano.



Bit makes friends with B!



She was so mad because she wanted to play with this puppy but couldn't wait for us to get it out of the box.



It was a late night, so I brought the kids jammers with us.
Boo is playing with Uncle D with his new combine in this pic.
Doesn't my cousin B look like a young John Travolta?

The groom and bride to be!

I really had a nice time visiting with them. Like I said, it has been so long. They were all great with Boo and Bit too, which really warmed my heart.

Christmas Preparations

BeBe waited to decorate her tree until we arrived in SC.  Boo had a great time putting the ornaments on the tree and throughout the Christmas season, he would often go into the room where the tree was and just play with the ornaments by taking them off and putting them back on after taking them to PawPaw to tell him what each ornament was. It was really sweet. He loved it! Here are some pics of tree decorating.

Lil Bit fell in love with Santa. Not a bad choice.

Trying to get a pic of them in front of the tree...

...

...as good as it gets. Lol.

Earlier this week, we went over to C's house to for a cookie decorating get together. Boo had so much fun decorating his cookies! We kept them so that we could leave those cookies out for Santa. You know the drill...picture time!

Our hostess with red icing all over her face! Lol!

Bit mostly played with toys.

Beth helping Boo decorate. Boo said he wanted to use green M&Ms because his Dad likes green (melt my heart).

I caught him eating sprinkles! ;)

Sweet girl.

Taste testing the cookies.

Messy kiss for Uncle Russ!

Enjoying the fruits of his labor.

Thanks Calgirl for having us over for a fun night!

A Christmas Program With Children...

...never disappoints!

Our wee angel and big boy shepherd donning their costumes.

Making friends with the angels.

Happy Shepherd with his stick!

Angel falls right out of the gate.

She's up again!

...and toddled down the aisle as cute as she could be!

Shepherd checking in with Mom on his way down the aisle.
"Hi, Mama."

Shep and the wise men.

And, the hit of the night...dueling shepherds. SO funny!

A special visitor for from the North Pole showed up as well!

Um, do I know you?


We had a great night at the Cypess UMC. I've been participating in and attending these programs since I was nine years old! The little ones always provide comic relief. I'm so happy that our little ones were able to participate this year! It really warmed my heart. I loved every second of it!

We're settling in our home here in SC. As of yesterday, we have cable and internet! Woohoo!!

B-man is settling in his temporary home as well. Trying to get everything set up for him as well.

I have more pics to share, but I'm off to get my hair cut! Thank you Granny & Grandpa and company!!

Update

Just an update to let you all know where we are.
B-man is deployed and the children and I are back home with family.

It was utterly heartbraking to say goodbye to B-man this time. It's never easy, but watching him say goodbye to the babes was just heart wrenching. He's going to war and that element of danger just underlies everything. I hate it.

The kiddos and I made it after several long flights and an overnight stay in Atlanta after a missed flight. That was almost the straw that broke this camel's back. I cried, and then forged ahead. Boo was EXCELLENT on the flights. He really has grown up so much. I'm so proud of him. Bit was a typical baby on a plane. She flirted with the passengers and then cried/screamed when she was tired b/c she didn't want to miss a thing. And then she would crash in my arms. So interesting how they go from wild to peaceful in mere moments.

We're trying to get on east coast time and get settled. I think the little ones are handling it better than this tired mama. But, we're getting there. The temps have been balmy, which has been so refreshing coming from the cold temps in AK.

Just wanted to touch base with you all.