Christmas 2007

Christmas night with Julie, Steve, and David. Lauren chose a tummy time mirror for David as a gift.

Memmie and Lauren look like Santa's Helpers.

My parents in our home.

Uncle Ronnie (L) and Pappy (R.)

Uncle Wayne & Aunt Becky

Cute!

Couldn't resist some pics of Lauren with santa bear and the christmas pjs...

Our little Hannah Montana in training sings a few hits from her latest CD.

Stealing a kiss from Pappy.

This pic and the following 2 are ones that I took for our Christmas card. Of course, I have to use the camera tripod and timer for the shots with me!

Lauren hopes to make it to the North Pole by Christmas...(the lobby of the Grove Park Inn in Ashville.)

Christmas Eve in Sevierville with Julie's in-laws. I love this picture of the kids so much. Next year, there will be 2 new babies to add: Addy Sue and Sarah!

A visit to Concord Park to see the lights with our neighbor, Samantha.

Instead of using a portrait studio, I tried my hand at doing my own portrait photography session of Lauren with her 1st cousin David. They looked so great! I was proud of myself to say the least.

Weren't we lucky enough to visit with both Santa AND Mrs. Claus at Dollywood?

Our Church's Christmas play. See Ladybug in the back holding her doll?

The Christmas season is always such a wonderful, family-oriented time of the year for us. In our house, we love creating and maintaining traditions to pass on to Lauren. One of our favorite ones, of course, is visiting the Fantasy of Trees. All proceeds go the the Children's Hospital, which we had recently paid a visit due to Lauren's hand injury. Not only do we get the opportunity to see gorgeous trees and entertainment, but we also enjoy watching Lauren's eyes light up with that amazement and special sparkle that every parent loves to see in their child's eyes at Christmas. This year, Daddy, Lauren, and I went with Julie, Steve, and Cousin David. Lauren especially enjoyed participating in the various crafts.

Christmas is also a time to visit Dollywood! We were able to ride on some rides, especially the Merry-go-round. Whether it's the decorations, rides, yummy foods, Christmas shows and music, or visiting Ol' St Nick and Mrs. Claus themselves, it's really hard to say what our favorite part would be!

Julie, David, Peggy, Lauren, and I did something new this year (for Lauren and me anyway) and went to Asheville to see the gingerbread houses a the Grove Park Inn. They were so amazing. Lauren and I especially liked the Strawberry Shortcake house.

Driving around and looking at Christmas lights is another grand tradition. This year, we decided to bring a little neighbor girl named Samanta with us to Concord Park. Lauren and Samanta were so sweet and so much fun that night. They especially loved drinking the hot chocolate, eatting kettle corn, and riding on the horse drawn carriage while looking at the lights! The girls started singing a round of Jingle Bells on the carriage. I believe that the other people aboard got a kick out of them.

Christmas at Clover Hill Presbyterian is a tradition that I have participated in since I was a baby. We always have a youth group play, finger foods and presents from Santa, and a candle light vigil. I just love it all. Lauren made her acting debut for the first time. Memmie, Pappy, Julie, and cousin David were all there to watch. Although she didn't have any speaking lines, Lauren's "role" was to hold one of her baby dolls and to offer it as a subsitute for the nativity reinactment. Lauren was serious about her "role" and wanted to know exactly what her role was called. She even had to ask the preacher. She, however, didn't get amused when her Daddy jokingly called her "girl on stage right." Oh well! The kids actually played "themselves" this year, and Lauren didn't seem to understand that.

Several years ago, we started a tradition of spending Christmas Eve evening with Julie's in laws. Lauren especially loves spending time with 7 yr. old Cannon. Despite the age difference, they have always played so well together. They get along beautifully. This year, Helen's sister, brother-in-law, and 3 daughters where there as well. Lauren had an entire house full of kids to play with and loved every second of it. Little David made an adorable Santa baby in his little outfit!

On Christmas day, we opened presents as a family during the AM. My parents, brother, and his fiance came to our house for lunch and presents, and we then went to Julie, Steve, and little David's home for dinner and presents that evening. It was a fun-filled, busy day as usual. But...I wouldn't have it any other way.

I quickly learned a long time ago how fast children grown and change. I learned to savor each moment and memory. I learned to cherish the hard times, crazy times, and times when Lauren is behaving her worst! Many years from now we'll all look back at these crazy, busy, hectic times in our lives and wish to goodness that we could have them back again. Someday, Lauren will be all grown up and Christmas will be just a little different. Sure, it was still hold the same place in my heart religiously, but that child-like wonder and magic will not be quite the same. I hope everyone takes the time out not just at Christmas, but all year long, to appreciate life in this way. This is my Christmas wish for everyone.

Make everyday, Christmas day!