Lights of the South 2010

We almost didn't go to Lights of the South this year. We had planned to go with the Links but didn't have time when their visit was cut short and then the weather was just super cold to think about taking a newborn out. Finally, a couple of days before Christmas, we had a milder weather night and decided to ride over. I am so glad we did because the kids had so much fun! I keep thinking they may get tired of seeing the same thing each year, but 'tis not the case...

On the hayride...

They yelled out every character they saw...their excitement was infectious!

Greer's favorite part...riding through the castle!

What is it about light that is so cool? I can't help but draw parallels to us being drawn to the true Light of the world. "I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." (John 12:46) I am so thankful that He did!!

Some poor guy tried to take a picture of our fam, but must not have seen Garner with us...

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In Cinderella's coach...

My four favorite people in the world...

Fun on the wooden train...

Finally, a pic of all five of us...with grumpy kid faces at the idea of a picture, not indicative of their time there for sure!

Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum

I love that Christmastime gives us reason to get together with friends and family. We love the Ruckers, Pierces and Popes and loved having a night altogether to celebrate Jesus' birth and enjoy each others' company!

The kids decorated gingerbread cookies...

And filled up the formal dining room table!

Such a cutie Campbell :)

We celebrated sweet Finley too :)

Eleven...that's a lot of kids!

Fun game playing

The 3 Gs are such good buddies...I love it.

White elephant meets musical chairs for our gift swap...we ended up with the Operation game and the Gs love it!

Cute baby girls...

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Kids taking pics of the grown-ups...thankful for these sweet friends :)

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And finally, my favorite arrangement of my favorite Christmas song performed by my favorite ensemble...Maymay, JP, Chris & David and the Little Drummer Boy...

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It has always been great to hear it at church, but it was even more special sitting around the Christmas tree in front of the fire with our families altogether. Good good stuff...Christmas may proceed :)

Feeling warm and fuzzy :)

An Edited Link Visit

When our BFFs moved earlier this summer, we decided that we would find a way to see each other at least once a month. Although it has technically happened so far in some fashion, our last two attempts have been thwarted a bit by sickness. At Thanksgiving, we planned a quick Massey-Link get together and were sad to have to cancel when Greer came down with a fever the night before. We weren't too worried though, knowing our big 4day hangout was coming in December. Instead the sickies hit poor Mads and 4days turned into an overnighter. Enough to get us by I suppose, but it went by way too fast!

The big kids!

First time Sam and Garner meet! He stayed in Gville when the other 3 came to meet Garner in November.
They hit it off immediately. :)

"P-pays where the feet attach!" (Aka footed pajamas :))

We had a great time making gingerbread cookies...

Matt made an army captain

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And B made a baseball player

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Nice work, daddies!

. I'm so frustrated that these pictures won't turn the right way! These are all the kids' cookies and I love how they represent them well :). Tilt a little too the right and check 'em out...

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Madi's prince and princess...pretty and neat.

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Gehrig's football player (AJ Greeeeeeen!!!) and his other guy with patterned gum drops.

And Greer's freestyle...the more candy decorations, the better!

A more finished AJ...

All in all the cookies were a fun alternative to putting together a gingerbread house with our limited time...and fun to see everyone's personalities in their works of art too :).

Next, the kids opened their presents. Greer got princess dominoes and has already worn them out playing with them so much!

Gehrig got cool Melissa & Doug wooden painting projects. He has already finished the color-by-number and loved it so much that we have gone looking for more!

And thankfully, Mads thinks "homework" is a fun Christmas present...we love these A Reason for Handwriting workbooks!

Sweet kiddos

And Garner and Sam were just happy to have each other :)

We were sad to see them go and so ready for more time again soon...a couple of Greer's pics from the morning to send us out...

Love y'all!!