Christmas 2014

We had a fabulous time celebrating Christ' birth this year. 

Early in the season, Katie, Addy and I got all dolled up to go see the nutcracker. 

It was one especially for kids so it was just the right length of time.  Afterwards, they invited the kids up on stage and even taught them a little dance. 

My kids were REALLY excited for the church Christmas party this year-aka the primary nativity.  Katie signed up to be Mary along with a handful of other girls and was beyond thrilled when she was chosen.  Much to her delight, Addy was asked to be an angel and we were able to talk Marcus into being a wise man (after he saw the crowns he wasn't complaining anymore).

It was so cute and so very powerful. 
Afterwards, they filled their bellies with sugar and everyone went home happy.

The Saturday before Christmas we went to visit Santa and his reindeer.  

Christmas Sunday came before we knew it--I had bought the girls dresses forever ago but kinda didn't think about the boys.  Luckily I was able to find something that worked.

School didn't get out until Dec 23rd this year.  

Monday Katie and Addy had their class parties, at the same time, of course  Jaxon and I spent the hour going back and forth between the two classrooms.  With Jaxon's mini-celebrity status this was  dangerous as he almost always gets stopped, and usually gets kidnapped for a while.

Mark worked from home on the 23rd so he was able to go to Marcus' party to help make his ginger bread house.  I only showed up for a 15 mins and took advantage of the time to get some last minute things done

After school we had friends over and had a party at our house--16 kids and 5 moms makes for a lot of noise! (Mark used this time to get out and get some stuff done!)

 Christmas Eve the kids opened their Christmas jammies so we could watch Elf and eat cookies before they went to bed.

We had some REALLY, REALLY excited girls when they saw they got nightgowns this year.

Christmas morning was here before we knew it--it was a blur of wrapping paper and joy.   We spent the day relaxing, playing with our presents and enjoying each other. 

For the longest time Jaxon was not interested in TV.  But, with how wild and crazy his is, I needed a break at times.  I kept introducing show after show to him and he wouldn't watch for more then 5 mins.  Finally, he watched Pooh, and he is obsessed.  It is the only show he will watch.  So Pooh Bear for Christmas was a wonderful thing!

Marcus in his king costume.  Maybe he is stop wearing princess dresses if he has this fancy cape now.

Friday morning we got up, packed the car and headed south.  We had a pittstop in DC, where we saw the Lincoln Memorial and ate at Cafe Rio before heading to Richmond to spend the night. 

Saturday morning we grabbed breakfast and drove the 4 hours to the beach house my parents had rented. 

This house was on an inlet with a very small private beach, but it only a 15 mins boat ride from the 'island' my parent bought and are building on.  The weather was low 60s and as we were running around, Jaxon said with the biggest grin on his face; "Fun, thanks, fun, thanks!"   He was so happy to be free from the car. 

We spent a great week at the house.  Katie, Addy and Marcus ran around with cousins and we didn't see much of them.  Some days were too cold for me to go outside but the kids rode bikes and scooters outside everyday.

There was a huge fire pit outside that Mark started for us most nights.
Mark and I stayed up way to late everyday playing games with my siblings and inlaws.

Family picture 2015

We took the kids to town one day to check out Beaufort, they really enjoyed see all the boats in the harbor--we were a little worried about Jaxon jumping into the water, but managed to hang on to him.

We left early afternoon on a Friday.  The day was the most beautiful one yet, so in the morning we decided to take a boat ride to my parents island to check out the progress on their house.  It has no electricity (yet) and the house is half finish, but after seeing their private beach, I was sold.  When I stop worry about Jax drowning you will find me there in the summer, camping on the beach.

On the island

We saw dolphins in the water on the way back.  They were so beautiful to watch as they following the boat and jumping around.  Jaxon talked about it the whole way home, and still talks about it every time he sees water.