Christmas Fun

Christmas is crazy for us each year, but we love it! We have at least eight different places to go (& that only includes family Christmases) and we begin celebrating Dec. 1st! We started the holiday season with a Morgan/Fulgham family cookie/candy swap at Hanna's house then moved right into Family Christmases starting with Memee's big Morgan Christmas at Legion State Park and ending with Christmas with the Scarbrough's Christmas night.

For the Fulgham family Christmas we got the little girls matching pj's...aren' t they precious? Christmas was at Dawn and Kim's new house in Mathiston this year, and Kimberlin had a voice recital that night at 7 so it was about 9 before we ever got to start opening gifts. The pajamas came in pretty handy since we ended up not getting home until after midnight. Phew! Long night!
After decorating cookies on Christmas Eve, we headed to the Oglesby's and then the Morgan's...two Christmases in one night makes another late night!

Christmas morning after opening gifts at home, we went to Popa and Onda's to open gifts. The girls were so excited about Christmas this year! Of course, I think Presley's pouting in this picture...who knows why? Probably because I wouldn't let her have anymore chocolate...lol!

I had to share this picture.... On Christmas Eve, even though we got home late, we have a tradition in which we allow the girls to open one present from each other. Makenzie got Presley a Hannah Montana CD (that she, of course, wanted herself lol) and Presley got Makenzie a tea party book. They were so excited with what the other gave them that they both jumped up and gave each other a hug....it was sooo sweet! Presley has listened to that Hannah Montana CD every day since ha!

We wrapped up Christmas at Ricky and Mary's. Can you tell Makenzie's excited about her gift? The girls are sooo spoiled! Honestly, I think this year has been the year we've really had to start teaching our kids. Their little eyes got huge when they took in the gifts, and it was all about the opening. They'd open and throw before they'd ever see what they were getting, and I really had to have a talk with both of them about being appreciative. THEN, on Christmas morning, Makenzie walked into the living room, took one look at the vanity (that she'd picked out), and said, "That's not the one I wanted!" At that point, I could have loaded it all up and given it to a needy family, but I kept myself in check and asked her why to which she replied, "I wanted a big girl hair stylist/makeup table like Aunt KK has." So, I reminded my child that she was 3, not 20! She got over it quickly and has loved playing with her vanity since...guess she was just trying to see what she could get by with....Lord, help us! It really makes me wish we didn't do gifts everywhere we went, and that we just got together to visit with family. I don't want my kids thinking Christmas is all about the presents, and even though we read the Christmas story from the Bible and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus at each place, I still feel like they're missing the true meaning of Christmas when all those gifts are handed out. I want my children to enjoy Christmas, but I want them to understand that presents are NOT the reason we celebrate. I know I can't possibly be alone in this....

Cookies for Santa

We had our neighbor and her three little ones over on Christmas Eve to decorate cookies for Santa. We made homemade cookie dough, and each of the kids got to cut out their cookies and then decorate them once they had cooled. They had soo much fun, made a huge mess, and were so proud of the cookies they were going to leave for Santa that night!

Luckily, Mommy called in reinforcements! Kimberlin and Trystun were here to help so things went a little more smoothly. With a 4 year old, 3 1/2 year old, two 2 year olds, and a 6 month old, things were bound to get messy!

Some of the finished products....yummy!

Goodbye Nick...See You Next Year!

We've never really pushed the Santa Claus issue with our girls...we've tried to focus more on what Christmas is really all about, Jesus Christ. They're getting bigger now, and they're hearing lots about Santa, and while we consistently remind them about the true meaning of the season, we've let them have their fun too. This year they got Nick, our Elf on a Shelf, and boy was he a hit! Makenzie and Presley LOVED waking up each morning and running to find him (he was in a different place each day). They would talk to him, and tell him goodnight. Best of all, he helped with behavior! If one of the girls started acting up, all I had to do was say, "Nick, do you see this?", and they would straighten right up!

On Christmas Eve, both girls said goodbye to Nick since he would be leaving for the North Pole until next Christmas. It was sad! I can't believe how attached they got to this elf in a month's time. On Christmas morning, when all the excitement had died down, poor Presley said, "Ohhh, my Nick is gone!" It almost broke my heart! They have continued to ask when Nick would be back each day since!

Whoever invented this little elf is making a killing! BUT he comes highly recommended by this family! See you next year Nick! :)

Exciting News!!!

We're excited to announce that we'll have a new addition to the family in July!!! Hanna, my sister, is expecting her 2nd baby, and we can't wait! Makenzie and Presley got to make the announcement to family on the 18th at our family Christmas. They say they're hoping for a boy this time ;)

Merry CHRISTmas From Our Family To Yours!

A Christmas Prayer

Loving Father, help us to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be Thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen!

-- Robert Louis Stevenson

May the love of Christ bring you joy, peace, and happiness this holiday season, and may you always remember that Christ is the reason for the season.

We love you,

Wayne, Jessi, Makenzie, and Presley

Play Date With Our Cousins

Emma Grace and Ellie Kate came to play! Makenzie and Presley were so excited to see their cousins, and they had a blast playing with them.

Silly girls....they would back up to the cabinets, run as fast as they could, and jump on the bean bag. They'd all lay there and giggle until one of them would say, "Let's do it again!"

Precious girls! They had sooo much fun together, and Makenzie and Presley were so sad when they had to leave. Thanks, Emma Grace and Ellie Kate, for such a fun morning! We love you!!!