Christmas in July

Ok, so I'm a little late. But I guess it's never to late to rescue your photos from the digital camera. It's kind of fun to look back on the holidays and snow pictures when it's nearly 100 degrees outside!! I felt a little cooler looking at these snowstorm pictures from January!

Christmas Eve Morning with Nathan's family looked like this:

Lots of Baby Sam time!

Branded Signs made by Nathan - one of his newly acquired Hill Billy skills.

Games!

And Presents! We did "Dirty Santa" this year.

It was FUN! "F3? Who has F3?"

Most of all, time with loved ones!

Christmas Eve we spent time with my Family before Church

The little Star of the show! Not sure about all of the attention!

Nana is super pumped to get some new socks!

Grego girls' tradition - light a bayberry candle for good luck on Christmas Eve.

And last but not least, Christmas Morning with my family!

We draw names around Thanksgiving and try to keep a secret who has who... but there are a few known cheaters and sneaks in the family who always seem to figure it all out...

Matthew finally got a real bow and arrow.

He went outside as soon as he figured out how to shoot it and immediately lost the first arrow.

Addison really getting into the whole "presents" thing.

It's not a family gathering without Blitz! Poker faces.

Isaiah 40:3-5

Comfort for God's People

"A voice of one calling:

"In the desert prepare

the way for the LORD;

make straight in the wilderness

a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be raised up,

every mountain and hill made low;

the rough ground shall become level,

the rugged places a plain.

And the glory of the LORD will be revealed,

and all mankind together will see it.

For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Christmas Slump

Ok. So I haven't posted for awhile and I can list a lot of excuses, but I'm going to spare you. I just haven't felt moved by the blogging spirit. But a new nephew and times with my old nephews are inspiring me today.

Here are a few shots from last weekend's cookie baking session with cool Aunt Kate and the Hollis nephews.
Said Nephews:

Haydn in a rare anti-paparazzi moment. He's not really into pictures right now. Although he did allow this one since it involved his art. He worked those sprinkles!

Eli, deep in concentration. His designs were very deliberate.

Oh, and here's one of Nathan & Me

He hates pictures, so I tried my best to get one before his patience ran out. This is the best... sorry!

Ok - and one of me in front of the tree. If I don't blog again, Merry Christmas and may God pour out his blessings on you and your family in this new year.

Merry Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas celebration with family.  Christmas Eve Morning was spent at our home with the Hollis Crew.  We had a great morning eating, talking and opening presents.

Sweet little Jackson

The Brothers Hollis: Timothy, Nathan and Joseph

These guys were the hardest group to photograph!

Virginia (Joseph's fiance), me and Niki (Timothy's wife).  The lovely ladies.

Virginia & Annette (Nathan's Mother).  Aren't they pretty!

Barry & Annette, cute, festive and color coordinated.

Haydn ready to tear into some presents in his Santa PJs.

Timothy, Niki & the Kiddos, upholding the pj party tradition.

On Christmas Eve we attended the candle light service at Brentwood Baptist and participated in one of my favorite holiday moments -Silent Night sung with candles glowing all around.  After church, we went to dinner at Aunt Celi & Uncle Perry's.   We used the camera timer for group shot after everyone "Scrooged In",  but Addison had a melt down just before the shot was taken.  Nana was trying to calm her down.  Nathan was in the room... just fast asleep on the couch while visions of sugar plums danced in his head.

Christmas Morning we stopped in to see Nathan's Meemaw and Dick.

Angel the Poodle is not a fan of Pete & Mo.

Christmas Day was spent at my Mom and Dad's in Franklin.

Nana excited to tear into presents.

Ben, Nana and that Matthew.

Dad & Mom

Aunt Celi excited about some new socks.  We had a lot of people excited about new socks!

Andy & Kristin, minus a sleeping Addison

Our "vintage" stockings hung by Mom's chimney with care.

Trading Post Weekend

Nathan's nephews and dad  (Gramps) came to visit the TP this weekend.  Lots of fun was had by all.  

 

Gramps took Eli for a 4-wheeler ride.  I think this is right before Eli got clothes-lined (literally) by the Shooting Shack target track.

Being silly with Aunt Kate.

Haydn didn't want in this one.

Chillin' out with Pete and Mo.  Who were soooo very happy to have company for 2 nights. 

Goofing around in Wal-Mart while spending their lottery winnings.  I think this just about sums up the difference between being 9 & 4.

And of course, they got elfed.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards