December! All at once.

All of December in one post!

We started early--the kids were flush with Christmas spirit even before Thanksgiving.   We broke out the decorations the next week, and the kids started shoring up their behavior.  Sort of.

Anyone who has seen a certain video of me learning to ride a bike will appreciate this video:

We enjoyed a cookies-and-milk party at church on the first Sunday in December...

then headed to Downtown Disney so the kids could have a business meeting with Santa.

Waiting patiently:

Will asked for a robot spider and monorail.  Anna was uncharacteristically silent, so Will told Santa she wanted a baby doll and a Dora mermaid.

Anna was way more comfortable around Cinderella:

Anna performed her preschool Christmas program the following week.  Nana came to watch, and I finally figured out why she was able to sing "Feliz Navidad" along with the piped-in music in Publix:

Can you tell she was really excited about those maracas?

We took the kids to see the lights at the Twilight motel in Holly Hill.  It's tacky Christmas in the best way:

The kids loooooooved it.  Anna with her favorite inflatables:

We had so much fun, we made a second trip the next week so that Nana could see it when she came back for Will's Christmas program.

Speaking of that program, here's Will:

This year, he graduated from stable animal to heavenly host:

December chugged along with school Christmas parties and all sorts of fun festivities.  And finally, it was Christmas Eve.  John had to work, but I had lots of help preparing for Christmas Day.

We got right to work making cookies for Santa:

When John got home, we went to church for the Christmas Eve service.  Will sang as part of the elementary age choir this year, which meant he had to sit in the choir loft for the whole service.  I was all anxious about that, but he did well.

Apparently, he got all his giggles out before the service:

Anna with her child-friendly candle:

We drove around looking at Christmas lights, then went home for a quick dinner.  The kids donned their Christmas jammies,  and put out snacks for Santa and his reindeer:

I used the Truth in the Tinsel ebook for Advent, so we made our final Advent craft:

Sang a few Christmas carols:

And headed to bed, in hopes that St. Nick soon would be there:

And he came!

Elf Bob was gone, but he left a note:

Santa left a Dora mermaid, a baby doll with blue eyes...

...a monorail, and a robot spider:

Anna got her first set of hot rollers:

And there were a few mama-made gifts--a backpack/carrier for Anna's baby:

...and some elf slippers to match the elf suit Santa brought for Will:

Christmas morning mess!

 Then we got ready for lunch with Grandma, Uncle Shawn, and Aunt Cindy.

Love using my Christmas dishes:

I tried a Southern Living recipe for red velvet cheesecake; it was yummy.

Kids' (and elf) table:

 Family photo:

Will and Anna showed off their Santa loot:

Target practice with Uncle Shawn:

Then it was time for another round of presents.  Will got back into his elf suit to hand out the gifts; he tried to stack them as high as possible:

Anna helping Grandma with her gifts:

Trying out her new princess boots from Cindy and Shawn:

Will enjoying his shrimp chips:

Such a fun day!

We headed to north Florida for round 2 of Christmas a few days later.  We stopped in Tallahassee to visit with Grandmama and Granddaddy and Uncle Tim and Aunt Cynthia:

And then on to Blountstown to spend a few days with Nana, Papa, Aunt Missy, and Aunt Laurie:

And a whole lot of fun was had there--although you'll have to take my word for it, since I don't have the photos to show it!  I tend to sit back and relax when I get to my parents' house, since they are so willing to keep the kids entertained.  And apparently part of that relaxation is putting down the camera!  Oh, well, I'm sure Nana has a few pictures. :-)

And that was December!