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!!!

Halloween 2009

My pretty blue fairy and my beautiful butterfly had a great time this Halloween! We took the girls to trick-0r-treat at an assisted living facility and a personal care home. They were so sweet to the elderly people who handed out candy to them. Presley even gave them all hugs! Before we left, Presley looked at some ladies in the living room area and said, "Thank you, ladies!" It was soo cute.

We came home for dinner then trick-or-treated around home (sorry we didn't make it by to see everyone!). We ended the night by meeting Papaw Ricky and Yaya at Friendship's Fall Festival.

Can you tell they didn't really want to take pictures??? They were ready to go!

Tupelo Buffalo Park

We loaded up and headed to Tupelo yesterday for the Buffalo Park hoping to get to go to the Pumpkin Patch. We weren't able to go out there due to the mud from the rain, but we did get to play with the animals!

When we walked into the park, the first thing I noticed was the lion roaring loudly and he continued to roar as we entered the reptile building. We were looking at iguanas when both doors flew open and the animal handler and the lady from the front desk ran in to get us saying that there was a problem with one of the animals getting loose and they needed us to come back to the main building until they could get the situation under control. Of course, my first thought was OMG!!! That lion is out!!! I turned around and looked at the lady from the front desk and said, "Exactly WHICH animal is loose?" She looked up and said, "It's a deer". I go, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!!" I couldn't believe they'd acted like that over a deer...they scared me to death! Ha! In their defense, we did have 3 bags of feed (you can feed pretty much all of the animals there) so I guess that deer COULD have knocked us down to get to the feed...lol.

Despite the drama, the kids had a GREAT time! Presley wanted to feed everything and wasn't scared of anything while Makenzie didn't want to feed anything (she didn't like that they'd slobber on her hand) and was TERRIFIED of everything! It's sooo funny how very different they are! I guess Makenzie takes after her Daddy (hehehe--Jan that's for you!) The giraffes were by far the favorite animal of the day...you could pet and feed them...too neat!

Presley feeding the deer (probably the one that got out- ha!)

Hillaree feeding the goat and Makenzie trying to be brave enough to do it too!

Presley and one of the giraffes (there were 3!)

Makenzie and the giraffes (can you see the unease on her face?)

All four of our pretty girls...even Britlee had a great time!

Morgan Chapel Pumpkin Decorating Contest and Fall Festival

For this year's Fall Festival, each of the Sunday School teachers were given a pumpkin and were told to have their class decorate it for a contest. Winners won breakfast in class on Sunday morning. I teach 11-12 year olds, and my class came over last Thursday night to work on decorating our pumpkin. We created a princess (with help from Makenzie and Presley, of course!).

Kaylee, Colt, and Dakota after decorating our pumpkin.... the rest of our class wasn't able to make it that night. We didn't win the contest, but we had fun anyway!

Makenzie decided to get her face painted at the Fall Festival...she got a flower painted on her face while I was standing there. She later showed up by my side with this baseball on the other cheek a big MSU on her forehead....ok then...lol!

Presley got her face painted too, but of course, she'd rubbed it all off by the time I was able to take a picture! The Fall Festival was lots of fun...they had an inflatable slide to play on, a cupcake walk, and yummy food. The girls had a great time!

Monday Morning Story Hour

I can't say enough how much Makenzie and Presley enjoy Story Hour each week. They love getting to be with their friends, hearing good stories, and making fun things. Mrs. Jean is so great with the kids, and she always has fun things planned for them! If you have children under five and stay at home, join us for Story Hour each Monday at 10:30 at the Sturgis Public Library.

They made litte sunshines today. They each traced their hands and cut them out to make the rays that glued onto the sunshine faces that they colored.

Emma, Presley, Ella, Makenzie, and Hillaree holding their little sunshines.

Presley showing hers off...she wanted lots of little rays so we had to have lots of little handprints!

After they finished with their sunshine craft, they decided to play while the adults cleaned up. Yep, you guessed it! Ring Around the Rosie....

...We all fall down! They were so cute! They kept doing this over and over until finally we told them it was time to go. They play so well together!

Micky Mouse Clubhouse Live and Chucky Cheese

Annual Girl's Day Out With Mimi!!!

I'm apologizing in advance for the pictures...my camera has had it, and for some reason it's putting little lines in my pictures. Time for a new one.

Anyway, Saturday us girls hit the road for Tupelo to see Micky Mouse Clubhouse Live and then have dinner at Chucky Cheese. Makenzie and Presley had a blast as usual; especially with Mimi spoiling them all day!

Thanks Mimi for such a fun day!!!

Audrey, Katie, Presley, and Makenzie

Makenzie with her Handy Manny toy Mimi bought her

Playing games at Chucky Cheese

Presley counting her tokens at Chucky Cheese

Mimi and Presley at Chucky Cheese

Funny Moments

We've been so busy the last few days, and while I have a minute I thought I'd share some of the things we've been doing (and saying!) so far this week.

Makenzie is learning to write her letters! She actually asked me last week when I was going to teach her how to write! I think my mouth dropped open, and I stuttered, "Well, honey, if you want to learn I'll show you." She's been able to recognize her letters for a long time now, but has never wanted to learn to write them until now. Needless to say, while on a trip to Wal-mart yesterday I picked up one of those trace-the-letter books for her to start playing around with. She loves it! She learned A-C today, and when I told her that was enough for today, she actually got mad at me because she wanted to learn them all! Oh boy, this child has way too much of her Mommy in her!

As for Presley, she is now fully potty-trained (yay!), and is doing such a good job with it..even sleeping in big girl panties! She's also been saying the funniest things lately. She's started copying things that Makenzie or I say, and we get so tickled at her. Yesterday while I was driving down the road Makenzie said, "Look Mommy! There are some cows!" I acknowledged the cows and pointed out that there were horses in the pasture too. Presley pipes up with "How strange!", and I almost wrecked from laughing so hard. Where did she come up with that?

Ahh...never a dull moment around here! I just love watching my girls learn new things, and I love hearing the funny things they say!

Never A Dull Moment....

Makenzie and Presley went camping with my parents this week (from Wed. till Friday), and I missed them sooo much while they were gone even though I enjoyed the time to myself and time with Wayne very much. When the girls got home Friday afternoon, I realized Makenzie acted like she didn't feel well. They were both asleep when they got here, and Makenzie slept until after 4! If you know anything about Makenzie, you know she's at an age where she thinks she doesn't need naps anymore, and when she does happen to take a nap, she only sleeps for about an hour at the longest. When she finally woke up, she was whiny and asking for water so I felt her forehead, and she was burning up. I took her temp (102) and gave her motrin only to have her start getting sick about 30 minutes later. She continued to be sick and run a temp for the rest of the night, and I couldn' t help but think just great we have the stomach virus again...

The next day, she was still running the temp, but felt much better. By last night she was up playing with Presley. They were so cute I had to share pictures. They came into the living room dressed in their pajamas and "hats" with their "songbooks" and began to sing "Mary Had A Little Lamb". When the song was over Makenzie yelled, "Costume Change!" and they ran out of the room.

They returned a few minutes later dressed like this, and this time they sang, "Jesus Loves Me". Makenzie continued to sing as Presley danced. They are too funny!

They've been doing this a lot lately. I love how they get books and pretend they're hymnals! The first time they did this, Makenzie came in dressed from head to toe (with the same "hat" on I might add) and a mermaid wand she got at Disney on Ice that she said was her guitar. When I asked what she was doing she said, "I'm a rockstar!" How on Earth does she even know what a rockstar is? Hannah Montana, maybe? Oh goodness.... To my relief, the next time they played this, she was singing church songs from her "hymnal". Phew!!!


Makenzie is feeling better today. We're still working on keeping her temp down, but she hasn't been sick since Friday night. She must be fighting off some kind of virus, but luckily no one else has gotten it so far. Please pray Makenzie gets well soon and the rest of us remain healthy and well.

Story Hour at the Library

The girls and I go to Story Hour at the library each Monday. Mrs. Jean reads them stories and then they do a craft. The girls get to spend time with friends and get out of the house for a little while. Today, they made these handkerchief dolls. They were so easy to make! You just take a square piece of fabric and fold it into a triangle. Put a small ball of cotton in the middle and then tie with string to make the head. Tie knots in the corners on each side to make arms & you're done! Mrs. Jean always comes up with the cutest little crafts! I should have taken pictures of the CUTE bird feeders they made out of an orange a couple of weeks ago. I'll try to remember to take pics from now on!

Playdate At Our House

We had friends over for brunch and a playdate this morning, and Makenzie and Presley were so excited! They played so good together and were having so much fun that the adults could barely have a conversation!

Ella and Makenzie dancing...the girls grabbed dress-up clothes and purses and Carter called them princesses..lol.
Makenzie, Ella, and Emma

The whole gang...Presley, Emma, Camille, Carter, Makenzie, and Ella.
We had a great time everybody! Hope we can do it again soon!