Christmas Day 2010

I always wake up extra early on Christmas morning before the sun comes up so I can sneak a peak at what Santa left the night before.

The girls got up...finally. They sleep like teenagers on Christmas morning. I guess because we are always out so late on

Christmas Eve! They decided to take advantage of their new chairs and sit down while they opened all their gifts, still not quite fully awake.  

Okay, now they are getting into the swing of things. Here they are showing Daddy what Santa brought them. That Baby Alive doll was a big deal Christmas morning. Samantha didn't care about anything else. She fed that doll, changed it's diaper, feed it again, changed it's diaper, OVER and OVER. She giggled everytime it dirtied it's diaper and then had to show everybody! Thanks a lot Nana!

Uncle Blake, Aunt Megan, Emma Kate, Maddie, Lilly and Aunt Subie and Uncle Scottie all came over to see the gifts and eat breakfast. It wouldn't be Christmas morning without sausage and biscuits!

But little 'Lil didn't want biscuits, she wanted Santa's cookies. I kept seeing her eating something and couldn't figure out where she was getting it. I finally caught her in the act. She was eating Santa's leftover cookies and laughing about it! I guess Santa was finished with them so it was okay with him! Here she is checking out the presents. She had to bend over and squat down to get a really good look at them.  

When we were finished with gifts and breakfast, Jes and Sam invited us to the playroom to see THE SHOW. Below Emma, Maddie and Uncle Blake anxiously await the performance.

 Jessica choreographed a dance routine/play to "I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas." They refused to let us video but I would give anything to have been able to sneak in the camera! Just imagine our little 'Eloise,' a.k.a Samantha, performing for an audience! Jessica is a fantastic choreographer, really, I wouldn't be surprised at all if one day she is working on Broadway. REALLY! 
Clint was their sound man.

When the show was over all the girls went outside to ride the four wheeler with Daddy/Uncle Clint, depending on which one of the Smith girls is calling him.

Christmas Eve at Nana and PawPaw's 2010

Well, Mandy and Drew upstaged Christmas this year but it was still a lot of fun. Especially because we had Mandy and Caden's little dog Foxy Christmas Eve.

Samantha was in love with Foxy. She held Foxy...

and held Foxy...

and held Foxy!

 I can't believe Samantha put Foxy down

 long enough for Jessica to hold her!

 But as ususal Jessica is more concerned about her cousin Hanna...

 and the newlyweds...awwwwww.

 ...and the gifts!

 Here's Linda looking at the gift I made her for Christmas. Yes, I know, it shocked me too! I can't believe I scrapbooked for her. I don't even scrapbook for myself! I hate scrapbooking! But Linda's worth it. It's not everyday your first born gets married. I was happy to do it but glad when I was finished!

Drew and Mandy's Wedding

The girls and I woke up Monday, December 20th more excited than Christmas morning! It was Drew's wedding day. We jumped out of bed ready to go to Columbia. The wedding was at the Garden Path Inn on Main Street.

The girls were thrilled to not only be IN their first wedding but it's the first wedding they've ever been to! I found precious plaid Christmas dresses to match Drew's dress blues at Gymboree.

Poor Linda was SO sick with the terrible virus that was going around before Christmas, she was barely even able to be there! Not only did she manage to be there she looked beautiful!

She's a better woman than me.

Samantha and Jessica got the dreaded virus a week later!

One of the few family photos we've ever had taken of us together.
Don't we just belong in this house! I wish it was ours.

You know Mom bought this mini skirt for me!

I think we had more fun than anyone spending the afternoon at the Inn. It was so cozy.

Samantha is Pawpaw's little girl, not to mention she looks just like him, AND she's named after him!

She had to hold his hand for the picture.
 She wanted to hold both his hands for the picture but she couldn't quite reach the other side.

Without further ado; let's get back to the most exciting part of the day, Drew and Mandy's wedding! This day just kept getting better! The picture below is of Jessica (that's Hanna hidden behind her) and Samantha upstairs before the wedding helping Mandy get dressed.

Of course, Mandy's dress came from Andrew's Bridal Shoppe. Here's mom helping Mandy with the train. She was a stunning bride.

And now for the moment we've all been waiting for...Here come the...flower girls! Just kidding.

Drew was extremely handsome in his uniform.

Hanna was gorgeous. We thought she looked like Miley Cyrus but she would get mad if we told her that. : )

Pawpaw gave the bride away.

Brother Larry Adams performed the ceremony.

It was so beautiful.

It was a beautiful day outside and so was the bride and groom.

Samantha liked all the kissing!

There's my brother! I think he's camera shy like me.

My other children!

Pawpaw, Drew and Nana.

Here we are at the reception. I was in charge of the cake! That's a dangerous situation...

Samantha loved every minute. Here she is hanging onto Nana. Don't get too excited Samantha, you're not getting married till you're 30!

The happy couple, relieved it's over.

Mom and Dewayne checking out the Honeymoon accomodations. I wish we'd stayed there!
But then I would never get Jes and Sam to leave they loved it so much!

Well, it was time to go. Dad's ready, or is that Bond, James Bond.
We had an absolutely wonderful day but let's hope we have several more years before it's Hanna's turn.

The Present is the Future

The Christmas Program this year got it's inspiration from the mystery board game Clue. In this program, a group of kids are visiting the Mystery Mansion where a butler presents the children of this mystery mansion with a question: what is the gift that Christmas brings?  Each child has been given a token as a clue, and they are to find more clues in each room of the house. Each room's clue tells a part of the Christmas story and highlights a struggle of an individual's character. For example, a hook tells about the shepherds and their commonness; a rope shows the loneliness of the stable boy. The clues explain how the birth, death, resurrection of Christ can give us identity, joy, serenity, forgiveness, knowledge and hope for our future. The message that the “present” of Christ is the gift of a hopeful future is one that goes beyond the Christmas season. http://www.onewaystreet.com/product/2611/christmas_musicals

Jessica was really excited this year because she had several speaking parts, and she nailed them too! I couldn't believe it was Jessica on stage! Jessica's getting so brave she thinks she would like to have a singing part next year!

Samantha played an angel again this year.

When the shoe fits wear it!

One of the best parts of the play was when they sang a song about Joy. It made me want to jump up and start dancing and shouting for Jesus too!

"Let's talk about joy,

 JOY!

Let's talk about joy,

JOY!

Let's talk about J-O-Y-O-B-O-Y,

Joy oh Boy, it's bonafide,

Only God provides,

JOY!

Now what could Samantha and Emmaline be talking about in the middle of the play?

Samantha and Emmaline borrowed the little Christmas Elves' (Callie and Jolie) hats! 

 I made my debut in the Bethel Christmas play as a stage designer. Once Broadway or Hollywood gets a look at this picture I will be in BIG demand!

The kids performed the play Friday and Sunday night. It was the first year it's been performed twice. Clint asked Samantha on Sunday afternoon it she was ready for the play to be over. She said, "Oh no! I wish we could do it 100 times!"