'Twas The Night Before Christmas

Christmas Eve was definitely everything that I had planned for it to be. We slept in, went for a run, drank coffee, and didn't have to rush while reading the newspaper. Before we knew it, it was time to get all dolled up for Christmas Eve mass. We left the house around three for four o'clock mass and were lucky enough to get the last seats available in church. We sat behind a family that had seven small children. It was so much fun watching them and seeing their expressions at the end when Santa came to church. Following church we did our family gift exchange and Todd and I gave the children their Christmas presents. Around seven the Bolden family came over for heavy appetizers and a few glasses of wine. We ended the night by falling asleep while watching 50 First Dates.

Macy's expression says it all! Jack gave her this lovely Ugg hat.

Todd and I surprised Macy with a Burberry scarf...she instantly changed and had to wear it.

Jack was SO SO SO excited to get a MacBook. He didn't think he was going to get one so it was a huge surprise for him. He was all smiles all night long.

The kids were sitting by the fire to warm up. They thought it was cold in Georgia until we headed up North to Ohio.

Feeling Festive!

After lunch with the Godwin's we went downtown to ice skate in Centennial Olympic Park. Centennial Olympic Park was decorated beautifully for Christmas putting you in the holiday spirit.

Luckily neither Jack nor Todd fell down while ice skating. They came close when they were trying to stop but they never had any spills.

The weather was perfect! 58 degrees out-just cold enough to feel like Christmas.

When Jack finished ice-skating he was extremely sweaty. The child can not do anything easy. He always has to give it his all and get all gross.

Macy and I were in American Eagle one day and came across these hats. We thought they were too cute and had to buy some for ice skating. We were inspired by Aunt Lauren from the ones she got Craig and Brent.

Peyton and John Patrick loved the hat we got for Jack...they had to make an addition to their Christmas list when they got home!

Jack was being contrary and wouldn't stand up straight for the picture. Every time I was about the take the picture he would bend down. Macy told Jack that Santa was watching... but unfortunately he is a little too old for that one.

Naughty or Nice? No Fighting.

And then the fighting turned into laughing..

Finally, after twenty tries, a decent picture where both of my children are cooperating.

Jolly Good Time

Yesterday for lunch we had a jolly good time meeting our friends, the Godwin family. When we first moved here I watched Valentina during the day while Tina, her mother, worked at Bear's Best. Valentina came to our house from when she was first born until she was three. Tina stopped working shortly after she had Sam. Valentina and Sam are like siblings to Macy and Jack. We all love those kids dearly. Over the past years we have kept in touch but it had been over a year since we last seen the kids. Valentina and Sam are PRECIOUS! You would never guess that they are four and six; they speak so clearly and are so mature for their age. Tina is an excellent mother and has done such a great job raising them. She should be so proud of how well they behave and how sweet they are. Val and Sam definitely haven't forgotten Macy or Jack. They kept given them hugs and telling them that they missed them. It's amazing how fast they grow up. Valentina is in kindergarten and Sam will be there before we know. Tina and I joked that the four of them could pass as siblings...I guess it didn't help that their outfits coordinated so well together!