Reindeer Games

Here's my family. We're a pretty serious bunch.

Yes, Lauren Virginia, There is a Santa Claus...

...and he was very good to us this year. Lauren got her much-coveted Hannah Montana "Buitar" (which, surprisingly, has not been NEARLY as annoying as I figured it would) and Tucker got his jungle toy, which everyone big and small has enjoyed playing with. And much, much more.

I even got a little peace on earth & good will toward men as Lauren proclaimed on Christmas morning (and I'm not making this up): "I'm sharing with Tucker. That's what Christmas is all about!"

We had lots of fun visiting and playing with family starting the weekend before Christmas. I wish I could get one of our group shots posted from our Reeves Christmas, but sn>pfish has gotten smart and won't let me save pics anymore. Will post when I can figure that out.

Since Christmas, we are just hanging out. We are all off until next week, so hopefully the Christmas spirit can last us a little longer!!

(thanks Lynn, for the cute outfit!! Lauren was SOO excited to get a BOX! in the MAIL! for HER!)

Merry Christmas!!

The Man Himself

We went to see the jolly old elf today. We have prepped for weeks now, walking through the mall, waving at Santa, talking about going to see him. So, today was the day. We look at pictures from Christmases past, giggling about how big the kids got each year on Santa's lap. We got a really good chuckle out of Tucker's deer-in-the-headlights expression from last year's visit (mom had to be in that picture). No worries, though. He assured me that he was sitting on Santa's lap this year. He even had his order ready..."a jungle toy!," he would tell Santa, when asked what he wants for Christmas.

So, we get to the mall and take our place in line. It isn't too bad, but we have to wait for about 30 minutes to make our way to the front. Lauren and Tucker are excited and very well-behaved, considering. Slowly, we get closer and closer and are able to see the other kids taking their turn. Tucker even surprises me at one point by singing "you better watch out, you better not cry..." (I wasn't aware that he knew the lyrics). Finally, finally! it is our turn...

And Tucker freezes. Lauren bounds straight up to Santa's lap, no problems--she's very clear in her allegiance to the man in the red suit--but Tucker realizes that THIS? This is not what he signed up for. Fortunately, Santa offers for Tucker to sit on one of his reindeer for the picture. Tucker would not even accept the cookie coupon Santa was offering. He was not having any part of it.

So, I guess it is progress. There were no tears, and they got to ride on the train when they were finished. There's always next year!!

Good Times

We had such a fun time today at The Barnyard, thanks to Tucker's friend Ainsley who was celebrating her third birthday. Despite freezing temperatures, the kids LOVED seeing and petting all the animals...for once, the cake was upstaged!! Lauren and Tucker rode in a boat, fed ducks, goats, rabbits, pigs, etc., petted goats, rabbits, ducks...and attempted to catch multiple chickens!! I was so pleasantly surprised with Lauren's interaction with the animals. She has a track record of being terrified by...anything. They even both took a spin on a pony...those pics to come; by that point, my battery was dead, but I should have some coming my way.

(A little hesitant, but she is feeding those goats!!)

ROLL TIDE!!

Ready for the SEC Championship...