Christmas card photos

Christmas cards are one of my favorite things to send and receive.  One of my sorority sisters – Emily O. Holmes has been designing my cards for me for years, and this year was my favorite yet!  Between the photos Jordan Burch took earlier in the fall and Emily’s design expertise, getting the perfect card was easy!

 

Getting pictures for Forrest’s card and Yaya’s card was quite another story.  After begging, bribing and kicking Forrest “off the set”, I finally got them to all cooperate and smile for Yaya’s card. If you look at the ones that follow, it is pretty easy to see which child didn’t really want to cooperate on picture day.  Thankfully she is cute and Aunt Rachie had a lot more patience with her than she normally has with her own kiddos :)   

     

Finally got one of Finley, Forrest and Ed as well.  Only took 300 photos to get two good ones, but thankfully mom and Forrest had a card worthy photo before December 1!

  

Brunch with Santa

The annual tradition continues.  This year Forrest was out of town, but Finley got to come and she is the one we really want to see!  Unfortunately she is still not a fan of the big guy in the red suit so no great Santa photos for her.  In the picture below mom says Finley was pinching her back so hard her eyes were watering. 

Yaya and Coste gave all the kids a scooter for Christmas and they had a blast riding those and playing outside.  Whatever it takes to get out a little bit of that energy! 

Random

Before I get started on the 800 Christmas posts, I have to do a random post of pics I have from fall/early winter activities that never made it in a full blog post.  This is more for posterity’s sake than anyone’s reading pleasure, so feel free to skip over this one if you are rushed for time :) 

Mac spends a lot of time doing this…

 

Coe is still often found like this…

I participated in a charity fashion show and wore a dress from one of my best friend’s store – Bluetique.  Sarah at Style did my hair and make-up beforehand which made me feel like a super model – if only she could have made me 5’10” and 110 lbs! 

In October, I helped teach a 4 week legal studies class called the People’s Law School.  Teachers aren’t supposed to have favorites, but I did.  Mr. Hayes was a joy to see each week!

Some random pics of the boys

Dolphin cruise with Yaya and Coste.  The boys LOVED it!

Last but not least, my favorite now 4yr old girl’s birthday!  Not sure who loved the present we gave her more – Coe or Frances?!?!  Go Go Power Rangers!

Thanksgiving 2014

Another wonderful Thanksgiving is in the books and we are quickly moving toward Christmas!  The house is decorated and the boys’ wish lists are growing by the day.  We are trying to remind them of the true meaning of Christmas and to be thankful for all the “things” they already have.  On Thanksgiving Mac asked to say the blessing and my only rule was that he could not sing one of the funny blessings we generally do, but instead had to make up his own.  I wish I had recorded it.  I can’t remember exactly what he said but it was all about being thankful for our family and the new friends and family with us this year.  Mom cried, and my heart was swollen with love and pride.  Mac never ceases to amaze us!

Charles’s stepson Fred and his little girl Ginger joined us this year for thanksgiving (I think this was the new family Mac referred to in his blessing!) and the boys loved having another playmate.  She and Coe were fast friends as Mac eventually migrated to the study to watch football with the big boys. 

 

 

Early Christmas gifts from Yaya – Lego Advent calendars – HUGE HIT!

On the years we are in Pensacola we always celebrate Thanksgiving with Papou and Gigi during the Iron Bowl.  This was the only picture I got as the game was intense and no one was pausing to smile for the camera.  Thankfully AL came out with a big 2nd half and everyone relaxed a little and enjoyed the game.  RTR and Happy Holidays!