Christmas Eve at Church

We had a service on Christmas Eve at the church.  These always end up being very sweet times with our friends and church body.  This year, a few of the kids sang and Julianna was up there in front.  She did a great job and looked so pretty.  There's even a video for you to watch if you'd like.

Our pretty girl before the service

Julianna with a few of the kids from church

Silly Christmas pictures

Trying to get a picture of these kids can be challenging.  Sometimes they're great - sometimes we have all sorts of silly eyes and goofy smiles.  I won't tell you how many shots I took to get these but these turned out okay!  What silly goofy awesome kids I have!

Middle School Winter Formal

The Middle School had their Winter Formal this year and since it's for 7th & 8th graders, Rebecca got to go this year.  Of course as parents we don't get to go, so all I get are before pictures.  So that's what I've got!  They look great and so grown up!

Christian - can't believe this is his last year for this

Rebecca - so pretty

Rebecca & Sara went to gether

Christian & his friend, Corbin

This old house in Ridgetop is a popular place to take pictures so we went there first.  Then we dropped them off and that was it!!  They sure looked good!

Julianna's Christmas Program

The Kindergarteners put on a special Christmas program and Julianna had talked about being chosen to be Rudolph.  We weren't completely sure what that meant until we saw the program.  I just have to tell you that we couldn't believe how well Julianna did in this program. 

Please take the time to watch these videos.  The first is AWESOME!  It's a funny song they did and watch her (front and center).  She's the one with the nose!  

The second video is her being Rudolph - it was quite an honor to be chosen to be a reindeer, especially Rudolph!  

Enjoy!!

Kindergarten Fieldtrip

The Kindergarteners got to go the Nashville Children's Theatre for their December fieldtrip.  I was so excited because I have never been there (even though all of the other kids have).  Julianna's teacher asked if I could go, so how could I turn it down.  We saw Junie B Jone's "Jingle Bells, Batman Smells" and it was sooo cute!  I'm so glad I got to go.  

I even got to ride the bus with the kids!

We couldn't take pictures of the performance but here is the stage and it was  done so well!

Julianna & Allie Beth

After the theatre, we went to Monkey Joe's to play.  The girls were all over the place, so this is about the only picture I got!!!  This is Julianna with Reya and Taylor

The Grinch

Matthew has this awesome costume that someone helped him make while we lived in East TN.  Christian loves to scare Julianna in it.  This year, he asked if he could take it to school because Student Council was hosting a "Random Act of Kindness" Christmas party for the Special Ed kids and he wanted to be a part of it.    

He was so excited and ended up being a hit at the school.  (And since I'm so far behind on my blogging, I can go ahead and tell you he even ended up in the yearbook for it!!)

The original Grinch helping the younger Grinch!

Christian with a couple of his friends at school!

Family pictures

We attempted some posed pictures while all together.  This is one of the better ones of all of us.  A little squinty-eyed but better than nothing.  The only person missing is Papa.

Here is an attempt with all the kids - we had some fussy ones and wiggle worms..but all in all, not too bad!

Fashion Show...???

Mimi just recently had moved from her larger apartment to a small one and had cleaned out.  Mom & Dad brought it home and we all spent some time going through things (and laughing, and crying, and telling all sorts of stories).  We enjoyed a fashion show by Rachel

what a cute hat

Another cute hat

We got a hid-a-bed couch that went to Christian's room.  

Excuse the mess, but Julianna got their desk and has already loved it in her room!!!

Fun Family Pictures

Here are some fun family pictures from the weekend

Dad was quite proud of the Georgia hoodie I passed along to him!

Eric & Payne watching the football game - not too long before they will both be playing!

Rachel & her sweet family

James loved the 

weed-eater

Christian & Payne

Rebecca loves her younger cousins

Trying to get a picture with Payne - I think he wanted his Mommy!

White Elephant Gift Exchange

As adults, we decided to try something different this year.  We went with a White Elephant Gift Exchange.  The rules were nothing alive and nothing dead (those were directed at Justin).  I'm not really sure what everyone thought when they walked away.....just know they there was a lot of junk passed around!

Tim received a beautiful gold plastic peacock clock

Christian really liked his Arkansas Razorback slippers (BTW - we agreed ages 13 and above could play if they supplied their own gift!)

Somehow a couple of wigs ended up in the deal and Adde liked them!  (Check out Rachel's too)

No one is really sure what this wooden owl is for  - plant holder, training potty???  not sure...

Eric looks thrilled with his gift too

I'm not sure if we will do this again, but it certainly was fun the first time around!

Kid's gift Exchange

This was our Christmas since we would not be able to be with each other in December this year.  We tried a few new things this year for gift exchanges.  With 24 people, it can get a little expensive.  This year, we had all the kids draw names, so each kid got one gift and every family would get as many names to buy for as many kids as they had.... in other words, we all had a bunch of Fish kids to buy for!!  :-)  I think it worked pretty well and the kids enjoyed it.

Ready to open gifts!

Caleb wanted a Target Gift Card

Anna Blair wanted boots!

Addelyn opening her gift

Everyone watching Addelyn opening her gift!

Christian's turn (gift card!)

Aunt Cassie made this really cool book bag for Rebecca

Mandy liked her doll.....Oh, I think it's for Reese

Reese liked HER doll!

Aunt Cassie made Julianna and really neat vest to wear

James got a tractor

Toys for Payne

Josiah's turn

Payne Really did like his!

Lydia got a bunch of baby doll stuff!

Ruth & Leah got Polly Pocket stuff!