Christmas 2010...

This Christmas was very special because we had our very first Christmas Eve Service at our new church.  It was also special because we went down to Georgia the day after Christmas and spent the week with our families and celebrated my parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary.  I saw a lot of people I have not seen in a long time.  

 This photo makes me laugh because it is so hard to get my girls to pose for a photo.  My sisters and I always gave my parents fits trying to get a good photo so now I am paying for it.  This photo was taken after we got home from our Christmas Eve Service, dinner and driving around to see lights so the girls were pretty tired and delirious.  So, this is the only photo I have of the girls on Christmas Eve night in their pretty dresses. 

 The stockings were laid out by the toy basket with care....

 The tree with all the presents underneath and the stockings are full.

 The girls enjoying their stocking stuffers and Santa hats their daddy got them.

 We started a new family tradition last year (thanks to our friends, The Stepp's, who gave us this wonderful idea) where we go to the dollar store the week of Christmas and each of us buy gifts for everyone.  Everyone splits up and has $5.00 to spend.  We have to take turns helping Reece but this year she did amazingly well and picked out all the presents on her own.  She even wrapped all of her gifts on her own this year and made cards for everyone.  These gifts are always the most popular on Christmas morning and the kids get so excited. 

 Mommy is about to open her present from Reece, check out her wonderful wrapping and card!  Great job Reece!!!!

 Reece got me a traveling sewing kit.  She came up with this idea all on her own and I have used it a TON since Christmas!!!!  Anytime someone has a button come off a shirt or a stuffed animal is torn, Reece will say "Mommy you can use the sewing kit I got you."  This gift has been well used!!!!

 Next is Riley's gift to Mommy, a pretty snowglobe.

 Regan got me a cute, snowman candy dish.

 Daddy got Riley two light up Yo-Yos.

 Reece got Regan a Harmonica.  Another gift that she picked out all by herself. 

 Regan opened her container of BB's first and realized she was getting a BB Gun.  She was very excited!  She learned to shoot a BB gun at Y Guide Camp.

 Regan is very excited with her new BB Gun.

 Riley is very interested in playing guitar so we got her one that is just her size.

 Regan was very thrilled with her blue, fuzzy sweater.  She loves comfy, soft clothes and her favorite color is blue.

 

 Mommy got Reece a giraffe puzzle since Reece LOVES giraffes.

 Mommy got Riley a Tinkerbell puzzle.

 Mommy got Regan a President's Trivia Game and she told me "I am going to beat you in this game!"  And boy was she right!!!  I am terrible at history.  This is definitely a game for Tony and Regan.

 Reece made Daddy and I a beautiful Angel picture at school.

 I got daddy a booklight from the dollar store.  It opens and closes at a push of a button and only lights up the book page and not the whole room.

 Regan is giving her BB Gun a try.  Her daddy set up all kinds of cans for her to shoot at.  She has great aim and hit every can with no misses.

 This gun is actually a little too small for Regan.  We should have gotten the next size up.  But, she still has good aim with it.  She just can't hold it as easily.

Now Riley is trying out the gun.  She was a little timid at first.

The List of Dollar Store gifts given this year....

Daddy gave....

Mommy - Candle Holder with a cross on it (Regan helped him pick it out.)

Riley - light up yo-yos

Regan - wooden puzzle game

Reece - Dora Hairbrush

Mommy gave....

Daddy - A booklight

Riley - A Tinkerbell Puzzle

Regan - President's Trivia Game

Reece - A Giraffe Puzzle

Regan gave....

Daddy - Wii Baseball Bat attachment

Mommy - Snowman Candy Dish

Riley-  Dog Statue

Reece - Tinkerbell puzzles

Riley gave....

Daddy -  Wii Sword attachment

Mommy -  Snowglobe

Regan -  puzzle book

Reece -  Elephant puppet

Reece gave....

Daddy -  A sponge to wash his car

Mommy -  A travel sewing kit

Regan -  Harmonica

Riley -  Dog Statue (different from the one Regan got Riley).

Riley Turns 7....

On Friday, December 17th, Riley turned 7 yrs. old.  Riley, we are so blessed to have you as our daughter.  You bring us such joy and we are so proud of the sweet girl you are.  Riley is in first grade this year at Trinity School and is doing very well.  The biggest success she has had this year in first grade is reading.  She has become quite the reader and loves it.  She is even teaching her little sister, Reece, how to read.  Riley is always described by her teachers as full of life, energetic, delightful, compassionate, loves to learn, curious, and always willing to help.  Riley they are exactly right!  I think one of your greatest strengths is your big, compassionate heart!  You are so loving/caring toward others, always eager to lend a helping hand (especially in the kitchen), you love being around people and above all you love God.  I also love your positive attitude, your easy adaptation to changes, your competitive spirit, and your assertiveness.  What a wonderful gift you are to us!  Happy Birthday dear Riley!!!! 

Riley celebrating her birthday with her class.  Riley was called up front and the class got to ask her a few questions and then Mrs. Wright said a very sweet prayer about Riley.  It brought tears to my eyes.

The class is singing "Happy Birthday to Riley."  Unfortunately, this was the only photo I got of her and her eyes are shut.

 Riley is very excited to open her presents.

 Daddy got Riley a collection of Mario Brother's Wii games and she was very excited.  She is very good at Wii and computer games.

 Riley loves her new dog outfit from Grandma and Grandpa Crissman.

 Riley also got the movie, "Underdog" from Grandma and Grandpa.  She LOVES this movie thanks to Aunt Kate. :)

 It is so nice that Riley can read her own birthday cards now.

 Riley helping make Christmas Cookies for her party.  Riley loves to cook so we had all the girls make pizzas during the party and decorate cookies.  Funny story, the girls were making homemade pizzas and Tony was in charge of putting the pizzas in the oven and taking them out.  It was quite the ordeal because we had so many pizzas and had to remember which one was which.  So, we had a system going and we were doing well until one of the pizzas dropped when we were trying to remove it from the oven.  It fell toppings side down into the bottom of the oven and started a small fire.  Tony and I had to work together to get the pizza off the bottom of the oven and get all the other pizzas out of the oven.  The fire went out on its own.  It was quite the adventure and I am sure all the parents heard about our fire the next day. :)

 Riley had 10 girls at her slumber party including herself and her sisters.  Originally, I told Riley she could invite a few girls to the party.  But, Riley (being the social butterfly that she is) started talking up her party at school and the next thing I knew she had invited 7 girls.  I gave in and decided since she is 7 she could invite 7 girls.  What was I thinking???  It was a very eventful night for sure.....LOTS of drama!!!!  But, they had a wonderful time and I am sure one Riley will always remember (and we will too!) :) 

 A silly photo....

 The whole crew, minus Regan, not sure where Regan was hiding.  She was probably reading a book with her daddy somewhere.

 Riley got the game "Bop It" for her birthday and this was a huge hit.  The girls played this a lot and it helped get their energies out.

 Riley and her dear friend, Mckenzie, decorating Christmas Cookies. 

 Riley loves her new dog carrying purse.

 Oh boy, another Webkinz Dog, Riley loves Webkinzs.

 Riley with her two best friends, McKenzie and Lizzie.

 The girls getting ready to watch the movie, "Snow Buddies."  Riley wanted a cooking/dog themed party this year so we accomplished the cooking theme by making their own pizzas and decorating cookies and then we accomplished the dog theme with the party supplies and dog movie. 

 Our bonus room was full of girls, sleeping bags, popcorn and glow bracelets

 Riley wanted a Dog Cookie Cake for her birthday.  There was snow in the forecast the day before Riley's birthday so I decided to grab an easy cake at Harris Teeter instead of driving to Burlington to get a "real" cookie cake from the "Great American Cookie Company."  It was a good cake and she had a Dog candle so she was happy.

 The girls chose to eat Birthday Cake for breakfast since they were so full from homemade pizza and cookies the night before.  So, they had pancakes, bacon and cake for breakfast. :)

 Our Dog Lover!

 Mckenzie is one of Riley's dearest friends.  They are in class together and they were in gymnastics together for a while.  They have a lot of fun together.

 The girls watching a "Charlie Brown Dog Movie" while their freshly painted fingernails dry.

Mommy is painting all the girls nails.  I was not about to let 10 girls go at it with fingernail polish by themselves. :)

Reece's Christmas Program and Party....

On December 15, Reece had her Christmas program and party at school.  The children performed Christmas Songs for the parents and then we went back to the classrooms for yummy snacks and another mini performance of songs in the classroom.  Reece did wonderful!

 Reece and her class coming into the church sanctuary.  They are very excited.

 Reece's Class singing, "Little Baby in the Manger."

 Reece and her dear friend, Madeline, waiting to eat their snacks.

 Reece's class performing, "Who Has a Beard."

 Reece doing the Macarena.  She LOVES this song/dance.

Another photo of the Macarena.