2015 Christmas Part 1

We had an awesome Christmas this year. The kids are at such fun ages. AK really understood the idea of asking for 3 gifts just as the wiseman brought Jesus 3 gifts on His birthday. I was really thankful that she wasn't asking for EVERYTHING she saw on TV or in the stores. She was pretty set on her 3 things from the first day we mentioned Santa. It was definitely a shopkins Christmas for her! Corban wanted all things musical!

Our beloved Kit-Kat left the kids a goodbye letter and some Kit-Kats to remind us of her since she had to leave on Christmas Eve.

The kids left her the glow-sticks from church

 Putting out reindeer food!

My parents came into town late Christmas Eve and mom was on "Anna Kate" duty. She was so stinkin' excited! Mom said she was up every hour! Thankfully Corby slept all night!

Santa stuffed their stockings.... 

and filled the room with things they wanted...... 

he also likes to leave a surprise gift for both of them together!

(This year it was a tent with sleeping bags)

Abby dog enjoyed the tent!

Finally time to come downstairs!!

And one of the very best Christmas surprises was that Aunt Cinni got ENGAGED!!! We are thrilled!

More to come.....

Firsts for Corban (Preschool and Dentist)

Corban had his first Christmas party at preschool. Bryant was able to swing by and be with him for the whole event. Of course he was on picture duty! Corban was very excited to show him around his "cwass" (as he calls it).

I think he thoroughly enjoyed himself!

He loves stuffed animals now and likes to see how many he can bring with him at once!

Aunt Carol and Uncle Bennie sent new art supplies and they have really enjoyed them! Thank you!!

I try to fit in most of our regular check-up appointments over Christmas break and the summer so I don't have to take a lot of time off of work. The week before Christmas we all had dentist appointments and it was Corban's first time. He was very unsure at first but with a little coaching and persuading from sissy he hopped up in the chair!

Dance Recital and Getting Ready for Christmas

I love that our Parks and Rec offers semester long ballet and tap classes. It's just enough time to enjoy going but ends early enough that when the recital comes, AK is ready to be DONE! She was counting down the days until the last class (I don't think I have a prima ballerina on my hands! haha!). She did great in her recital and her teacher said she is blossoming into such a good dancer. I couldn't tell her that AK doesn't love ballet!

Corban has a new big boy bed! He was a little unsure of it the first night. Anna Kate told him "it's ok corby....I will sleep with you all night! If you get scared you just snuggle up to me!" (melt.my.heart!) She is such a good big sis! I ended up moving her to her bed after they fell asleep :)

We had some sweet friends from church over last week to decorate gingerbread houses. They kids had so much fun and it's such a great tradition!

We also visited Busch Gardens Christmas Town. We got really cheap tickets back in November and it was well worth it. The kids rode as much as they good and we saw a really cute ice skating show. We got home late Friday night and Anna Kate got a surprise visit from her best buddy Leighton on Saturday morning. She was so excited!!

And when it's 70 degrees in December.....

Of course you wear shorts and rain boots while you drive a tractor!!

Thanksgiving and More.....

I need to update a lot of things so I will just combine into one (probably lengthy) post!

Silly girls decorating Nanny's Christmas tree 

Jackson reached all of the up high spots!

Just a cute pic of Pa feeding Corban :)

AK and I participated in the Turkey Trot this year. The Turkey Trot is a fundraiser for pediatric cancer. Miller and Maddox are in Anna Kate's class this year and they have a precious brother who is in heaven now after a long battle with cancer. The race had a great turnout and lots of toys were also brought in for toys for tots. 

 Jen and I (who is also Ak's sweet teacher)

Run AK Run!!!

We had both sides of our families over to our house for Thanksgiving....

AK, Abby and Jackson enjoying Thanksgiving lunch

Corban enjoyed his too!

 We went to the last ECU home game on Saturday and really enjoyed it!

Corban's first ECU football game! 

Quickly fell asleep!

Anna Kate got to go to a birthday party at the ice skating rink and town and had a ball! 

She got braved and let go of the glider :) staying close to the wall!

Our elf, who AK named Kit-Kat, appeared at our house on December 1st

Corban and I headed to Beaufort this past weekend for the train expo and parade. It was so much fun! 

Papa found a train for their house! C had a ball playing with it!