Daddy's Girls

What a relaxing Christmas we had this year! Matt woke everyone up at 5:45 that morning because he wanted to see what Santa had brought the girls. Even Allie happily got up to go see. They were so excited and got all of the things they really wanted.  Lilli got her horse she can ride  Katie got her see saw  And they both got a ball pit to share to that holds the iPad to watch movies. They didn't even know they wanted this but Santa knows them so well. ;) We spent the whole day playing with all the new toys and watching movies.  We had a delicious meal of prime rib, corn casserole, spinach Madeline and twice baked potatoes. That was of course followed by my great grandmother's chocolate pie. No pics of the meal because we were too excited to eat.  Lala had to leave the next morning and I spent the morning finding homes for all the new toys. By 3:00 I was done and had been to the grocery store so we decided to go to the deer camp to spend the evening with the rest ...

Yesterday was one of my favorite Christmas Eve's that I can remember. On top of getting to spend the day with all of the McCormick family, Allie was here as well. She got in the night before so we started our day with a lazy morning before cooking and opening presents from each other.   I usually love it to be cold for Christmas because it makes it feel more "Christmassy" but I thouroghly enjoyed sitting outside in Vivian looking at their beautiful scenery in 75 degree weather.  (As Yaya said, "Some kids play in the snow. Kids in the South play in leaves.") We spent the whole day on that porch watching the kids play with the exception of a few rides. Somehow in the last 14 years I've only ridden around this property once and Allie never had.  It's so pretty out there! Cap'n took us for lots of rides on his "toys" around the pasture too. Allie and I rode with the kids and sang Christmas carols as we did.  As it got dark, and the mosquitos st...

Each year, on the Saturday before Christmas, the Shephards Market has their annual Great Turkey giveaway. My aunt Theresa organizes it and they provide 450 turkeys complete with sides, desserts and a loaf of homemade bread (made solely by my Dad) to 450 families in South Baton Rouge. It's always a wonderful morning and the kids even get in to it. What a way to serve those families doing God's work and truly getting in the Christmas spirit.  Sweet cousins excited to get started.  Dad won for most family there. Everyone that could be was there. Ryan was still flying and Matt hadn't gotten it to town yet.  Afterwards we were all exhausted so we rested before family dinner and game night. The kids all got there gifts and one that Lilli got was Pie Face. We laughed and laughed!!  They were truly excited about all of the gifts but I think playing pictionary was the grown ups favorite part of the evening. So fun! What wonderful Christmas memories. So excited that Santa will...

It's kind of fun when what you expect to be an ordinary Thursday, turns in to a pretty fun day. Lilli had her Christmas party at school today and Katie wanted to go. So instead of going to school like normal, she stayed home with me so I wouldn't have to pick her up in the middle of nap time. We dropped Hallie and Sadie off and I told her we could do whatever she wanted. All she wanted? Was to go for a bike ride. So she hopped on Lilli's old bike and rode for a mile and a half. She was so cute giggling the whole time and I wish I would have gotten a picture. We were too busy playing though. :)  At 1:30 we were pulling in to school to go to Lilli's first Christmas party. The kids were all so excited to see their parents getting there and had a great time. We got to take her home early so that was fun too.  I really like Lilli's teacher. She's made this transition to "real" school easy for Lilli (and me).  She's very sweet to the kids and she's q...

Ho Ho (what Katie calls Santa) has had a very busy weekend. First he showed up yesterday at the Jubilee Zoo and then today he was at Bass Pro shop. Matt got home from the camp around 11:00 and we all went to visit Santa's workshop together.  I loved the picture we got today and their wish list hasn't changed in the last 24 hours. Except that instead of just a see saw, Katie now wants a see saw and a unicorn. ;)  They have free crafts and games too. The favorite was the shooting game.  Matt was more than happy to try to teach  them. We went to lunch at Sushiko after. It was a fun Christmas afternoon with the family. 

Nana and Lizard have made a point the last several years to come to our house during the Christmas season. It's so sweet that they drive up to see the house decorated and to spend one on one time with the girls doing something "Christmassy." I know it's making memories that will last a lifetime. This year we decided to go to Pancakes with Santa at the Jubilee Zoo and to Christmas in Roseland lights. The girls had an amazing time this morning at the petting zoo. They loved everything about it. The favorite part of most trips is feeding the animals. They had a cute animal food buffet set up. You could fill ice cream cones with a variety of foods and feed as many as you wanted.  There were also bounce houses, a snow pit and of course pancakes for breakfast.  But the favorite part of this trip was Santa! Lilli was the first kid to run up to him.  And Katie followed him around until it was her turn to sit in his lap and talk to him. She did not like him last year but could...