Santa Came to Our House

It was a little iffy for Tanner. And Tanner was a little nervous when he was talking to Bernard, the chief elf, on Christmas eve. (great video, i'll have to get from Sarah) But Santa came!! He brought Tanner an Electric Guitar and a crane. Just like he asked for. He brought Conner a 4-wheeler and a broom and vacuum cleaner, but he would have been happy with just a candy cane.

We had a great Christmas!

Eat Dessert First

Look at that face. He is ready for the marshmallow.

Yummy strawberries! or maybe not.

Last night our calender activity was to eat dessert first, so I made a platter of things to dip in chocolate. Conner loved dipping and made a huge mess. Tanner just ate all the fruit and skipped the chocolate. It was fun and I think this is a tradition we will keep.

The Mystery of the Manger

Last Sunday was the Kids Christmas program. It was so good. Tanner sang and did most of the motions. He also sang "Away in a Manger" a duet with Kallan Mercer. The kids are always so precious. Thanks to all the Kids Church ladies for all your hard work.

Root "Deer"

We gave the Children's Church teachers a fun gift last week.

I saw this on some blog I found last week and it turned out really cute.

The children's church ladies do so much for Tanner. I can't believe what

he learns from them. He can quote scripture from the bible and

stories that I have to look up and he is always right. He isn't

afraid to stand up and pray over dinner, even says "in Jesus awesome name"

before he says Amen. They had their Christmas

Program tonight and it was great. The kids knew all of their parts and

danced and sang perfectly. These gifts were just a small token for these ladies

for all they are doing to help raise my boys up to be men of God.

Ginger Bread Village

This year for my sunday school cookies, we made the ginger bread village. The little house looked so cute and they really enjoyed doing them with a little help from Jeff and I.

Chelsea, isn't see a beautiful girl.

Tanner with the icing.

HopHop helping Kaitlyn.
Tanner's house.

Conner wanted the icing.

Nate said the funniest thing. He grabbed the big gummy tree and said, "I'm gonna put this right here for the door knob" and stuck it to the roof.

It was so much fun!!!

Corn on the Cob

doesn't it look delicious.

I think all food should come on a cob.

Christmas Giving

Yesterdays advent activity was to buy a toy for a child that doesn't have toys. I had to work so YaYa took the kids to alco and then to the new calhoun-liberty mission center to give to some kids. Mom said Tanner picked out the perfect toy (which means he looked at every toy in the store.) I think Tanner really enjoyed it!

letter to Santa

Tanner wrote his letter to Santa this morning. I made him write some of the words himself and he did a great job. Santa is going to be so exicted to get Tanner's letter because he only wants 2 things. (n0w if Santa could just stick to getting only 2 things.)

oh yea, I should tell you what it says.

Dear Santa,

I want a guitar and a crane. I have been (smiley face) good.

Hop Hop's been bad, but maybe you will bring him a 4 wheeler.

Love, (tanner in cursive)

Tanner

B-town Christmas Parade

They were so cute bundled up.

We filled up our bucket with candy.

The parade wouldn't be complete without the Christmas Bus.

We went with Nate and YaYa to the parade last night, because Jeff was home trying to help the Gators pull out a win. :(

Anyway, the kids had a blast. I asked Nate what his favorite thing was and he said , "when I got the crabby pattie". That kid knows he loves some candy. Conner pointed and waved and talked the whole time. And Tanner danced and waved and danced. I wish I was 4 years old again so I could enjoy things like they do. We can't wait until next week for another parade.

Bubble Bath Fun!

One of our activities from our Countdown Calender last week was to have a bubble bath and pretend it is snow.

I think it was Conner's first bubble bath and he wasn't too sure about it at first, but then he sure didn't want to get out.

Tanner loved it, of course, and he loved throwing "know balls".

Countdown 'til Christmas

We did an Advent Calender to countdown the days until Christmas this year. I saw a lot of things online and combined a few things l liked.

This is what I came up with.

It's on the kitchen door, so Tanner can check under the numbers each day to see what he and Conner get to do.

Yesterday we were suppose to make ornaments and give them to our neighbor, but instead we went to Tallahassee and saw a movie and then saw Santa. The "Real Santa" is at the Tallahassee Mall. He remembered Tanner from last year and said how he had really grown. He also said that he was on the nice list for now and he wasn't sure if Conner was on the nice or naughty list. Tanner talked and talked to him and told him the 2 things he wants for Christmas, "a little guitar and a crane". Conner wasn't too happy with Santa holding him, but it is a great picture.

So today we did our ornaments and we will be delivering them to "Miser Walk" tonight.

There was a joke behind today and also a note that there were prizes in the boys rooms.

I am loving the countdown and I think the boys will too! Only 23 more days to go!

"Never Be Shaken"

Tanner sang a special at the 5th Sunday Sing this morning.(yes, we still have those in Bristol)

He got a little upset when Jeff wasn't singing loud too and then told the congregation not to laugh in church. All in all he did a great job and wasn't nervous a bit. I am very proud of the way he is learning to use his talents.

Jeff also sang "While I'm Waiting", but I didn't record it. He did an awesome job too.

(thanks mike and shelley for the inspiration on the song choice.)

Happy Turkey Day!

We have so much to be thankful for this year.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Jeff, Cari and our 2 litlle turkeys!