The Nutcracker

As far as I can remember, I have never seen the Nutcracker. I don't even think I have seen a ballet before. I knew I wanted to get tickets for the girls. Being the kind mother I am I asked the guys if they wanted to go. Griffin opted out VERY QUICKLY!!!!!! Carmel wanted to go when I ordered the tickets but when it came closer……. nap time looked real good! In the kindest way possible, I explained how I gave him many chances to opt out before I bought the tickets and he was going! 

Don't worry he found a way to make everyone happy……just moved nap time to a different location!

Ella and I liked it!

 Laney said it was okay but that she is not really into all that drama stuff. I guess she has too much of that in her personal life right now! 

The few parts Carmel was awake for….. he liked.

Happy Christmas Eve!

Over the river and through the woods to Granny's house we go.

This past weekend we traveled to North Georgia to celebrate Christmas with my dads side of the family. There were several missing due to flu, work,  and crushed foot. Even with half of us missing, we still know how to laugh until we cry, eat til we look pregnant and steal from each other.

Some even snuck in a cat nap.

Since I turned forty this month, my sister brought a cake. It was delicious! I think she forgot a few candles though!

We had a great time and always love seeing my granny! I hope I can look as good as my granny at age 93.

Ladies Night Out

We participate in a program called Lads to Leaders and Leaderettes. This year we have added a new event to our list called Keepers. It is basically teaching our girls many skills of the house. We chose the activities cooking and serving, table setting and canning. We began with a lesson on table setting and planning. The girls were taught the difference between formal and informal place setting, how to decorate a table, and meal planning. We used these new skills to host a Ladies Night Out for the ladies in the congregation. The ladies would have dinner at the church before attending a play at a local theater. We wanted to incorporate the theme of the play into our table setting. The play was called "I Love a Piano." Here is what we made as a centerpiece for the table.

It was a styrofoam tree wrapped with curled music note paper. We got the idea from here.

We also made these Christmas trees using paper napkins.

The girls did a great job decorating the tables! I did have to  remind them a few times "less is more" when it comes to tables. I think if I would have let them keep going there would not have been any room for the plates.

We assigned each of the girls a table. It was their job to serve the ladies.

The girls did an amazing job! I am sad I did not get any pictures of them at the tables. Several ladies have mentioned to me how much they enjoyed the girls and how they were great hostesses. I think we will definitely be doing this again!

Field trip to Maxwell

I set up a field trip for our homeschool group to a local base to see a C-130. Most of the families had never step foot on a base before. My husband did a great job making all the arrangements.

All I want for Christmas is……..

a big box of NERDS!

Parker Family Thanksgiving

Meet the huge Parker family!

We are actually missing several families in this picture!

Every year we get together the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It is something I look forward to every year! This year we traveled to Brent, Al to my uncles. Our day is filled with yummy food, lots of laughing, games and tons of pictures!!!!!

Youth Group Fall Beach Retreat

Laney is in the youth group and wants to go everywhere and do everything! I am so happy that she has the opportunity to participate in so many activities with several Christian friends. We have a wonderful youth minister who truly cares for these kids! A couple of weekends ago, I went as a chaperon for the fall beach retreat. Our youth minister had me at the word beach when he was trying to get chaperons. I gained so much more while I was there. I saw first hand how great these kids are! I also witnessed for the first time Laney developing into a teenager. She didn't hug, love or really pay me any attention while we were there. I guess I should not have expected anything more. A few years ago at camp……Griffin acted like he didn't even know who I was. I did tell Laney once we got back I can handle it when we go somewhere just as long as she doesn't stop it at home!

It was so cold this particular weekend but that didn't keep us from having fun. We played games, ate, went to an adventure park,

went shopping at the outlets and walked on the beach.

Cold or hot…..it was still beautiful!

I told Laney I would take some pictures on the beach of her and her friends. Here are a few of the ones I took.

She even took one with me!

A few of the girls including Laney got a little adventurous over the weekend. I mentioned earlier how cold it was……..

They jumped into the freezing cold pool. Lets just say they got out as quickly as they jumped into the pool.

I thought it was humorous that they came all this way to the beach and they jump into a pool!