Round 4- The Finale

Sunday we had two more families to celebrate Christmas with. First, we headed to the Burrow's for lunch. Mrs.Pam fixed some wonderful food and sent us home with some yummy treats. Carley was in town from Miami, so we had fun catching up. Brook, Christi, Carley and RaeleeRaelee's favorite dolphin trainerMy brown-eyed boyLook out boys!

Next, we headed back to mom and dad's to meet up with some of my favorite cousins. Teresa, Jeff, and Harlan are in from Nashville, and the rest of the Hagedorn side was there. Tammy is getting married this weekend, so we'll get to spend alot more time together.The Pitt family

Christmas wouldn't be complete without a pink fur cowboy hat......Thanks Teresa!

Well, that sums up our Christmas in about 4 blogs. I hoped you enjoyed it....I know we did. Now it's time to welcome 2009 and make it the best year yet. Happy New Years everyone!

Break At The Boardwalk

Well, we had the Friday after Christmas free, so I wanted to go to a couple of stores. Brad had to go back for one more shift, so Grandmother and Pawpaw, and two of our cousins (Jewel Ann and Micah) came with us to the Boardwalk. It was a nice day, so we thought it would be fun to take the kids. They had the cutest Christmas setting at Bass Pro Shop for the kids. It was complete with reindeer. They also had daddy's favorite cinnamon toasted almonds. We were sweet and brought him some home.

The girls loved riding the trolley.

The trip wouldn't be complete without a carousel ride....or two. Colton LOVED it. He just grinned the whole time, and loved the wind blowing in his hair.

It started to sprinkle, so we headed to dinner, then took all the tired kiddos home. Come to think of it, I didn't really get to go in any stores!

Round 3- SANTA!

After Brad got home from the fire station Christmas afternoon, I brought the kids home to see what Santa had brought. Colton saw one toy out, and went straight for it. I couldn't even get him to open anything else. Raelee was so excited, she didn't know what to go to first. She got the Giddy-Up-N-Go Pony, and everything else you can imagine. Colton finally got some good "boy toys" to play with. It was so much fun watching them tear into everything and get so excited. I was trying to watch, take pictures, and make sure Brad was video taping......whew! Here is what we managed to capture.

Diamond Castle Barbie to go with the carriage

The greatest toy ever...he would not leave it alone

Giddy-Up-N-Go Pony and Equestrian outfit

Ride em' cowboy

Pweeze sissy!

"No more pictures....I want to play!"

I

t was weird having the kids open "Santa" later in the day and not be in their PJs, but it was worth it to get to wait on daddy. At least we know he's off next year!

Round 2- The Johnson's House

So, Christmas Eve we headed to the Johnson's for lunch. Brad and Scott had to go to the fire station that day....I know, bummer.....so we had lunch instead of dinner. Brad has an older brother and younger sister, and we all have 2 kids. This equals....Madness! The kids were great, and had a wonderful Christmas. Taylor and Raelee both got the Barbie Jammin Jeep (thanks Grancee and Pappy)! It was a beautiful day, so we had so much fun watching them ride. If you ever see a hot pink jeep coming your way with the radio blasting and a little girl with long brown hair and a big bow......LOOK OUT! Raelee and Taylor.....aka Thing 1 and Thing 2Cruisin the streets of Southern Trace

Colton loves his new free ride

Christi, Stacie, Mike, Deanna and Jenn (what a lucky man!)

After Christmas at the Johnson's, Brad left to go to work, and I brought the kids home to get a power nap. Since, daddy was going to be gone on Christmas morning, we went and stayed at Grandmother and Papaw's. We put out reindeer food in hopes that Santa would find us there. Mimi came over for a while and Pawpaw took us to see Christmas lights. Christmas morning, the kids found 1 toy each under the tree and a note from Santa saying that the rest was at home, and would be waiting for us when daddy got home. We had lunch there with the rest of the family, then headed home that afternoon when Brad got off to unwrap Santa!

Strategically placing out reindeer food

Barbie Diamond Castle Carriage

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Round 1- Grandmother and Pawpaw's

Raelee probably thinks that we are the people that stock Target, seeing as that everything she has seen there, is probably in our house somewhere right now. We have literally had Christmas 4 out of the last 6 days. From Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, Aunts & Uncles, Cousins, and Friends....you name it.....she has it! It has been exhausting, but soooo much fun. I have loved seeing everyone and getting all of the kiddos together. I don't even know where to begin. I have downloaded so many pictures, I'm surprised my computer didn't crash. I'll try to keep it short and sweet. It will probably take a couple of blogs to get in all the visits. We'll just start off with Grandmother and Pawpaw's house on Tuesday night. We brought the grand kids over in matching pjs to let them open all of their presents. Dylan and Raelee got a Wii game, and were super excited (as were the parents)! Colton and Alyssa were just running from toy to toy, not knowing what to do next. We all surprised Mimi with a new TV, and she was definitely surprised.

There were just too many things to mention, but here are a few cute pics!

Raelee was so excited to get a boy to marry all of her girl barbies!

Someone forgot to tell Colton this thing has a weight limit.

Ooh La La

We gave mom a collage canvas of the kids and grand kids. She was so excited. Thanks DeAnn, you did awesome!

Pawpaw is even better than Santa

Sweet Alyssa....aka "Swiper". Watch your belongings around this one!

Dylan and Raelee solving a mystery

Thanks Mom and Dad for EVERYTHING. You are amazing and we love you so much!

It's Almost Here!

The kids are officially out of school, and the countdown is on. Colton had his party at school Thursday, and Raelee had hers Friday. They were both so excited and made some really cute things. Also, they have gotten to open a few pre-Christmas goodies from some friends and family. They love finding goodies at our doorstep everyday! Raelee also LOVES getting all the Christmas cards in the mail everyday and putting them on display. Thank you Aunt Gloria and Uncle Jerry for the chocolate and gifts, and thanks Mrs. Margaret for the yummy carmel cider. Also, below are some pics of the kids in their matching pjs and Christmas pillow cases the Burrows gave them last year. Raelee thinks they have to lay on them to watch their Christmas shows....hey, whatever keeps them still.

"while visions of sugar plums danced in her head", she's pretending to be asleep to see if santa will come.
He loves Mickey Mouse Christmas Goodies from (great great)Aunt Gloria and Uncle Jerry : )

P.S. Thanks Rocky and Rachael for a wonderful dinner Friday night. We must do it more often. Especially if I want to keep my sanity!

Mmmmm......Nougat

O.K. , so for some strange reason I love these little, soft and chewy peppermint nougats. I spotted some at the store, and mom assured me that I didn't have to worry about her stealing any. I have officially finished my Christmas shopping. So, while all of you are out running around at the last minute, I'll be cozied up, enjoying my nougat. (well, except for the fact that my rugrats will be out of school, so I'll probably have to share!) Happy Shopping Everyone!!!!!!!

We Love Our Build-A-Bears.....

.....or puppy, whatever. Raelee has a white bear and Colton has a puppy that barks. Raelee has had it since she was born, so they have come a long way since then. She sees new ones she wants every time, but so far, I've kept her occupied with outfits. Grandmother and Pawpaw buy them clothes for the holidays. Here are our Christmas duds (santa & ms.claus). If you don't have one......you must head to the workshop.....NOW!