It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

My most favorite time of the year.  I love it all.  I love the music.  I love the parties.  I love the food.  I love the family time.  I love giving.  I love wrapping presents.  I love white elephant games.  I love the cold weather.  I love the lights and decorations. 

Our tree is decorated and quad-proofed(well sort-of)!

    More fun decorations!

I love the smell of a fire burning.  I love those tacky Christmas sweaters (alright…love might be too strong of a word here, but they do make me smile.)  I love sharing in the excitement as my niece and nephews anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus.  I love the true meaning of it all.  I love opening my mailbox and receiving Christmas greeting cards (the picture kind please!) I love making memories.  I love family traditions and I especially love creating new ones with my family. 

Yesterday, we (me, Grandmama, &  G.G.) took the babies to get haircuts (boys only) and to the mall  for their 2nd annual picture with Santa.  (Confession: I absolutely love those pictures where the kids are crying like they are being tortured while in Santa’s lap.  I guess I get why we, as parents, subject our kids to that kind of agony – I mean they really DO make cuter pictures, right?!)  I was all pumped up and ready for the tears yesterday….bring it on, momma wants a framer..ha!  Well, I had one (Jagger) that was pretty cool with old St. Nick.  The other three, however, not so much.  This was going to be great.  Sloan was about to rip my shirt off like she was the Incredible Hulk(although that would not have made for a good photo op), Rocco had real tears and screams to match and Madden was crying while trying wiggle out of my arms to head for the nearest exit.  So how did I get this…

A pretty decent picture.  Bah-Humbug!  There’s always next year ;) 

After that wonderful experience,we headed over and ate lunch at Chic-Fil-A and then rode the carousel.  Good times, good times.

Rocco

 

Madden.  There’s that look again – he wasn’t diggin’ his tiger.  Although, all through lunch he was waving and saying “tiger, tiger.” I’m thinking he might be into long distance relationships. 

Then, after naps, we got all dressed up and headed to downtown Baton Rouge for our photo shoot for our Christmas cards.  Yes, busy day.  There is nothing quite like picture day.  I mean it really is exhausting…trying to get 4 toddlers to “stay still”, “smile”,  “say cheese”, “no, stop, no, sit”, “stand up”, “put your shoe on”, “get that rock out of your mouth”, “look at me”, “wait”, “just one more”, “let’s try that again”….and on and on.  But it was a beautiful day….

Beautiful blue skies…not too cool, not too warm.  Perfect.

A talented photographer, new haircuts, new clothes, and 4 happy well-rested kids…what could go wrong?

How about 4 kids that will NOT smile(in a group) when a camera is pulled out…it didn’t matter that their mother was flailing around like a buffoon dancing and singing. Nope, not gonna smile.

Seriously guys?  c’mon.

How about shoes that won’t stay on…

  Not even cotton balls and duck tape could do the trick…BUT they were REALLY cute!

Oh and how about a busted chin…

   Thankfully, this happened at the end when we were wrapping up…poor baby girl.

Seriously though, we did get some cute shots in the end, but boy, did we have to work for them!  Thanks Chad!

Today.  Our elf came!  If you are not familiar with Elf On The Shelf, you should check it out.   From what I hear, it is clever and fun way to keep your kids behaving during the holiday season.  I realize our kids are a little young and may not quite understand what our elf’s job is, but our cousins have been writing letters to their elves (not to mention including the request in their nightly prayers) to please send Sloan, Rocco, Madden & Jagger their elf.  Please. Please. PLEASE.   Low and behold, our elf arrived this morning…with a letter. 

Yes, our elf’s name is Riggins. (For you FNL fans ;)

Do you see him?  Look closer.

There he is! Whatcha doin’ there Riggs?

The cousins showing the babies their elf

Of course, we don’t forget the true reason for the season.  We have already started teaching the kids about Jesus and His love for them and all of us. 

Jagger and Madden saying “hello Baby Jesus!”

Merry Christmas to all and….

to all a good night!

Love,

Kami