Christmas 2010

We have tried to have some fun and relaxing days this holiday season, including church services and making a gingerbread house...

But our Christmas involved driving around to 5 different celebrations in 3 days- whew! Here are a few highlights- Aunt Jamie loving on the 2 new babies in the Elrod family, Kate and Graham are only 6 weeks apart

Thank you Aunt Corbin for the awesome pink Toms. Sydney loves them and insisted on wearing them Christmas Eve. And I have found them twice in her bed because she wants to sleep with them :)

Sydney's great grandmother Mimi

Tyler was in from Seattle

Aunt Sherri built Syd a teacher kit with some of her favorite things- huge hit!

My cousins Tyler and Britton

The Princess leaving my moms on Christmas Eve, heading home to get the reindeer food and cookies ready. Please notice the pjs and the Toms ;)

SANTA CAME!!!!!!

We loved having a calm Christmas morning with just our family of 4, discovering what Santa brought the girls and then opening gifts under the tree from Mom and Dad. Sydney was really sweet and so excited to help Kate open her gifts too.

We headed over to my moms for Christmas brunch and more gifts (we are SO blessed!)

Aunt Sherri and her 2 great nieces

Then after naps we headed down to Lonoke for dinner with my dad, stepmom and brother. Doris made us amazing scarfs and Sydney enjoyed dancing to Christmas music on her "stage"

I snapped this picture of Brent and Sydney playing xbox Kinect which is very fun but a little challenging for a 3 year olds attention span sometimes :)

We are counting our blessings this Christmas. My heart has been hurting for so many families that are struggling with cancer, death, and so many other pressures. As we enter a new year we are praying for God's direction for our family and trusting that He knows where to guide us, and trying to find joy during this season of our life. Stay tuned and may HE receive all the glory!

"Faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us once more..."

Oh we have been so blessed by spending some time with so many of our friends this holiday season. I didn't get pictures of everyone (Sorry Corbin and JA and the Dogtown Girls and my OBU girls!) but here are a few highlights. Erin always has us over for a pre-Christmas breakfast and presents. This year Sydney wanted blueberry muffins and strawberries, and Kate enjoyed the craziness!

We had some of my Ouachita friends over last week, and if it official, the kids out number the moms! Yikes! It was fun and sweet and wild and therefore I only captured a few pictures-

My wonderful work friends got together at Allison's for cookie decorating with our crazy kids-

And we got together with the Day kiddos to see Tangled and to play-

Circus with Gigi and Grandaddy!

Tummy Time!

I caught this picture of Kate having some tummy time this week (age 2 1/2 months) and it reminded me of one I have of Sydney (age 3 months). I see some similarities- thoughts???

Breakfast With Santa at Arkansas Children's Hospital

This is hard to believe, but was our 4th Breakfast With Santa, which is a great fundraiser for Children's Hospital. Erin and Mika were co-chairs for the event, and as always it was so fun. Santa rides onto campus on a firetruck, and LR fire fighters prepare breakfast. Then there are crafts and of course, SANTA! It is the only time all year that there are more healthy children on the ACH campus than sick, and such a fun event! The big kids get to climb all over the firetruck, which Sydney loved this year.

And sweet little babies get to hang out and watch all the craziness :)

Several of my Ouachita besties and our kids were there

Anna Beth and Kate were cute little reindeer twins!

Well, I will admit I am disappointed that I didn't get THE adorable picture of both girls with Santa. You know, so I could have the "perfect" blog post :) but Sydney got nervous when it was our turn and Daddy let her back out. I will be honest and say that I was going to make her sit with Santa and Brent rescued Sydney, which I know is probably best but I was selfishly disappointed that I didn't get a picture with both girls with year! Oh well, I have the rest of my life to try and obtain the perfect Santa pic with my kids :).

Thanks to everyone who helps coordinate another great breakfast!!!

Erin's 3rd Annual Cookie Party

Erin, as always, you were the hostess with the mostess. Thank you sincerely for loving all the kids in your life and opening your home to 17 kids with sprinkles and sugar highs!!!