Joseph

We took the kids to watch Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Crossville at the Cumberland County Playhouse. We got tickets in the front row to the side and the kids were amazed by the dancing and lights. Sophie had her own seat and Sutton sat perfectly still in our lap. At intermission, the older couple behind us complimented how well behaved they were. It helps that they sing everything and there was always action happening. As I am several months behind on blogging I write this right after we had another theater experience that didn't go so well (we just look at it like a donation to the arts).

Sophie and Sutton love meeting characters after the shows. They have come to expect it everytime, but really just happens at the smaller productions. Chad had the soundtrack to Joseph and they love to listen to it in the car. Sutton says it is his favorite!

My Birthday

We celebrated my birthday at Amber's on the night of my actual birthday. She had watched the kids that day and was already going to be making dinner and invited us to join her. We were going to go out to eat somewhere, but Dad ended up in the ER the night before and admitted to the hospital for what turned out to be bacterial pneumonia that he got when cleaning the garage and opening a container with black mold. Anyway...it turned out to be a great celebration with family (except mom and dad). Mom did go home from the hospital that day to get a shower and pack clothes and went ahead and made me coconut cream pie. She is an awesome cook for those of you who don't know:)

Birthday Pedicure with Sophie

Sophie and I got a pedicure the night before my birthday. Sutton was with us for a little while, but Daddy came to pick him up after work. Sophie is my little diva and I don't know that I will get a pedicure without her again:)

Chad's Birthday

Chad's birthday was on a Sunday and we gave him a card and balloon that morning before church. We had several ideas of things to do for his birthday, but with all our Thanksgiving/birthday events that week it just seemed more appealing to stay home and do something. I made roast (his favorite), mashed potatoes, green beans and (store bought) cheesecake. Chad's mom, dad, sister and her family, papa,mammy and pappy came over after church and we had a great meal and a good time visiting.

Aunt Joyce's Surprise party

We celebrated Chad's Aunt Joyce's 60th birthday on Saturday night. She and I have the same birthday (27th) and the family wanted to surprise her for her 60th. She is a great Aunt and friend to so many. She is the first to start planning showers for weddings and babies and is in the kitchen helping get ready before our parties and washing dishes when they are over. She is was very surprised with the party...if not, she faked it really well:)

Random pics from my phone

Sophie slept through our entire play practice one night. We had play practice Sunday and Wednesday nights from right after Thanksgiving until Christmas and it was a little tiring for the kids at times. It was all worth it in the end because it was a great show!

This was one morning when I was trying to get ready for work. Sometimes Sutton is really needy and just wants me to hold him. This morning he fell back asleep at my feet!

This was Sophie at Mammy's holding Chip. She loves dogs and I'm just thankful that the dog doesn't get upset with her!

Decorating the tree

One picture from my phone with the decorating...

Decorating the Christmas Tree!

Chad put up the Christmas tree and we helped decorate on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The kids are really into the Hallmark ornaments and got excited about them all as we opened up the boxes and let them help hang them on the tree.

Sophie was pretty careful with things, but Sutton had to be reigned in at times. He really is all boy!

Be easy!

Thanksgiving with McClaran's and Beccas bday

Thanksgiving celebrations weren't over yet...we had one last meal at Aunt Deborah and Uncle Bill's on Friday night. All the kids sat with Mammy in the dining room...she had her hands full!

Eliza and Aunt Andriana helped the kids fix their "silly hair" and came down to model for us! They have so much fun together. You can imagine that it is a little wild when they are all together, but so many fun memories are made.

We celebrated Becca's 2nd birthday since her birthday was going to be the next week. Can't believe all the babies are already 2!

Black Friday...Fun with the Kids:)

I was very fortunate to have the Friday after Thanksgiving off from work so the kids and I went to Bounce U for the preschool open bounce. This was the first time we have been since Sutton was just a baby. We walked in and before I could get out there to help them, Sophie had already climbed up this big slide and went down by herself...no fear.

Sutton had so much fun and did well just playing on his own. 

Sophie had such a great time! They really wore themselves out!

This was probably Sutton's favorite thing to do

Thanksgiving with The Lambs

We had Thanksgiving dinner at the Community Center with the Lamb side of the family. Sophie was hungry and got at the front of the line during the prayer.

Aunt Andriana made this cute bow for her

A little playful wrestling

Gotta love Grant's serious look

Thanksgiving at The Youells

We celebrated with my family at The Youell's for lunch. Aunt Joan, Papaw, Devee and Lexie were in town and it was so fun to all be together!!! Amber made this delicious turkey...I was impressed:)

Place cards for the kiddos

We were posing for a sister picture and Aunt Joan and Mom got in...then Karlee and Katelyn:) 

Sitting at the kids table:)

Picking out Christmas gifts in the Toys-R-Us ad

Look at those hot grandma's :)

Our attempt at a family picture. Not often that we actually try...anything is better than nothing!                                          

Getting all 6 of these monkeys to pose for the picture is impossible. The iPhone just can't capture them with all the movement, but they are still pretty funny.

I don't know what Sutton and Katelyn were doing, but we stopped them before it happened!

Thanksgiving Service at Enon

We went to the Thanksgiving service at Enon Church on Thanksgiving morning. This was the church Mammy grew up in and it has been a tradition for them to go back on Thanksgiving each year. We didn't stay for the potluck b/c we had lunch plans at The Youell's, but we were so glad to spend this time with Mammy and Pappy and keep the tradition.