Christmas Eve

We did something a little different this year! We headed up to Birmingham to my Sister's for the day.  We had the best time and the kids loved getting to open presents together again.  The boys were so funny because they keep opening the same presents at the same time :) The marshmallow guns were a hit and as was the HUGE transformer! We at some delish food, and laughed , and cried (mother, meaning The Nana opening her photos). 

Get ready for p.h.o.t.o. overload!



BIL ate 8 cupcakes ;)



I think I started it, giving my BIL Paul a gag gift.  Last year he gave me a bright yellow softball and this year, well I will let the picture speak for itself.  I totally forgot his gag gift this year..golly gee, I am responsible for getting ALL the presents for both sides of our family and it slipped my mind!



Jingle Bell thongs that he sewed every.single.bell. on! It was hilarious-he got it all on video.  I NEVER get embarrassed about anything, but I did this time! My face was beat red, tears streaming down my face with laughter and my 3 year old niece saying, "Daddy sewed those panties for you" and Nephew (5) saying "Why don't you try them on for us Aunt Angie" My 80 year old grandma sitting in front of  me..geez..BUT it was a FAB gag gift.  Then at the end of the visit he told Rob to make sure I gave him a jingle bell jig!!  Now I have to put on my thinking cap for next year, because he has mine already mapped out!

We opened more presents and ate some more! The kids played outside because it was a GLORIOUS day. More overload..

Kids love stairs! Paul had to put chairs to block because baby would be at the top before we could blink.

Lea and Paul took us out to their new lot or should I say lots in Indian Springs--It is so beautiful out there and WHOA are the houses H.U.G.E. There are huge horse farms everywhere! The neighborhood butts up to Oak Mountain State park which itself is gorgeous (That's where hubby proposed to me) JP goes to Briarwood and the Highschool has a different campus close to where they will build their new home!

 Dan wanted to go to KK and get a Chocolate covered donut with sprinkles (thankfully a gas station had fresh ones..HA)

Traveling back to Selma the kids and I took a nap (mine 25 minutes, maybe) but it gave me a boost!

That night we had Christmas with the Kings. Somehow I managed to only get pictures before we left our house.  I think we were all "photo'ed" out at this point!  We had a great time and my MIL prepared a delish meal and my FAV---LACE cookies (we only get Christmas Eve)...unless I beg otherwise! I will share soon.

Wiley took this next picture.

 I am too tired for spell check and grammar checks~ Please excuse muah!

Next is Christmas Day

xoxo

Leika's Christmas

December was a busy busy month at Leika's. Just as soon as all the kids had Psalm 100 down pat they were on to learn Luke 2: 8-12 for the Christmas play.  I just love this little play they put on and if this didn't get us parents in the Christmas spirit nothing would!  I sobbed cried just about the entire time Wiley's class came out.  As soon as I saw my little wiseman the tears came flooding.  Robin couldn't make it, couldn't break away from the office but thankfully his our best friend James was there to video while I snapped pictures like a mad woman!

A new friend of mine that just moved to Selma said she was sitting kinda diagonally behind me and saw my crazy self crying that she started crying and she had to kinda shake her head out of it--her son wasn't even on stage ;) 





Two, Three and Four year old classes singing



I love it when this little boy spots me and ALWAYS gives me a wave--see him back there?!

 Mary and Joesph
(Tucker and Evey)

Whitt---A Shepard

We are so thankful for the Godly atmosphere at Leika's!

Now onto the Christmas Party.  His class was so lucky to have Ellie the Elf come in for a visit from the North Pole.  This "elf" is ahhmazing!  She has the best expressions and the cutest stories she tell the children.  Ellie even makes house visits ;)



And lastly, I will share a sweet picture I took of sissy in front of our Christmas tree.  We would find her here ALOT this Christmas season.  I am still enjoying my tree and the smell is unbelievable! I am keeping my tree up until the weekend, which is not the norm for me--it is usually down the day after Christmas, but I am in no hurry!

Wild Man is hunting this afternoon and baby is taking her 2nd nap.  And yes...she still takes two naps a day and sleeps 12 hours at night! We are blessed with children who love their sleep! 

My next post I will give you the OVERLOAD of our blissful Christmas.  



love



Merry Christmas Y'all

A bit blurry because I did a quick snap with my camera

Now sharing my parents Christmas card......................................................

Wiley's Bible Verse for December. 

Luke 2: 8-12

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, Lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them:  and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not:  for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  and this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

Christmas Baking

I love being off of work for a few days to spend time with my Fam and do a little baking!  We are headed to Birmingham on Saturday for a feast, family time and good ole snack foods.  I am making cupcakes and cookies, so where do I look for my idea? Pinterest and Darby from Fly Through Our Window.  She recently posted about being in the Mobile Bay magazine and had a few of her favorite Christmas recipes in it.  Candy Cane Crunch Cookies~that is what I baked this morning ;) North Pole Cupcakes that the kiddos and I will frost and decorate later this evening!

My Sis made the menu and it sounds scrumptious!  I will share :)

·         Sausage balls (can make nigh before and cook morning of)

·         Crescent roll pinwheels with cream cheese (morning of prepare and cook)

·         Buffalo chicken dip (boil chicken night before and cook morning of)

·         Crack dip (cream cheese, ranch, bacon and cheese) with sociables (morning of prepare)

·         Spinach and artichoke hot dip (morning of prepare)

·         Bacon wrapped cocktail wienies with brown sugar (morning of prepare)

·         Grape salad (wash grapes night before and morning of prepare)

·         Pineapple casserole (can make night before and cook morning of)

·         Cool whip cookie dessert (morning of prepare)

·         Christmas Cupcakes (night before prepare and cook)

·         Reindeer spritzers (morning of)

·         Eggnog (no preparation)

·         Saki (mom bringing)

·         Sweet tea (morning of prepare)



Rudolph's Tipsy Spritzers



On a last note, All of my closest friends including childhood friends know what my FAVORITE Christmas movie is! I can recite every.single.line. The movie came out in 1983 when I was just 3 years old.   I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!  YOU have no idea how obsessed much I heart this movie!  I still have my VHS copy from when I was a little girl.  I shot many things with my Red Ryder BB Gun--a baby rattlesnake (I kid you not) A raccoon out of his nest (cruel I know) and my neighbors windows (I am really ashamed to say)..yikes I have been waiting for my boy to get the right age for his 1st Red Ryder and guess what?!! THIS.IS.THE.YEAR. I will place it just as Ralphie's dad did.

Merry Christmas Y'all~I am going to check on Wiley---It is 10:50 am and he is still asleep!

xoxox