White Christmas

Christmas morning we woke up in Birmingham to rain with a little bit of snow. The kids were SO excited to see white stuff falling from the sky, even if it wasn't much. By around 10 a.m. we were all packed up in the van heading north to my parents house in Florence, AL. By the time we hit Hwy 157 all we saw was white everywhere! Even had to follow behind a salt/sand truck down a few hills. Unfortunately by the time we arrived at my parents house all their snow had melted. The kids were not very happy with us since they had asked at every red light if they could get out and play in the snow. I know what your thinking, not letting our kids play in the snow, what mean parents. Thankfully the day after Christmas we woke up at my parents to this outside.
Snow!!















While packing for the five of us and making sure I didn't forget any Christmas gifts, I didn't even think to pack clothes/shoes for playing in the snow. My mom a.k.a. Gigi did what she used to do to my sister and I - Walmart bags over the shoes. Not one of my fond memories having to wear those bags in the snow, but my kids didn't seem to mind.















Aunt Kay-Kace & Isabel















Caden found that the porch was slippery so he went to "ice skate".















Carter was all about the snow balls.















Kids didn't care to make a snowman, but Caden LOVES penguins and got two little ones for Christmas. He decided they needed an igloo.















Everyone had so much fun playing in the snow!!

Christmas Eve Tradition

One of Ben and I's Christmas traditions is every Christmas Eve we would go to a sit down restaurant (yes with all the kids). One goal during the meal is to really engage in conversation with our waiter/waitress and get as much of their "story" as we could. Then after we pay for the meal we hand them a really nice tip, our Christmas gift to them. Over the years we have met several people and have heard many stories.
This year we decided to do something a little different. Since we seem to be surrounded by people in financial poverty we wanted to give, but not just give them stuff. If that makes any since at all. There is a man that Ben has come in contact with and met with a couple of times. He is in the process of looking for a job. His wife does have a job, but doesn't make enough to support all of their needs. Big thing to notice here is they are MARRIED. The first and only married couple we have met in East Lake so far. She has two children that she brought into the marriage and they are now expecting their first together. They are also a couple that haven't asked for anything. We wanted to help this family out for Christmas, but didn't want to just buy them things and drop it off at their door. I am also always looking for ways to involve the kids in our ministry. So here is what we did.....

Zoo Light Safari
Something they had never done before and couldn't afford to do. Plus it was a wonderful way for our two families to spend time together.

The train ride, even though cold & windy, was a favorite of everyone.













































I took lots and lots of pictures - something they said they don't have a lot of. So my plan is now to print the ones I took of their family - a much better gift than I could buy at any store. Here is one of my favorites of all the kids together.















I think this years tradition may have started the beginning of a wonderful friendship :)

Santa at the DeLoach's

Santa isn't someone we really talk a lot about in our home. The world however talks about the jolly old man enough that we really don't have say a word. The boys asked the big question last year - is Santa real? To which we replied (I with a lump in my throat) no, he's not. Ben and I had already decided when the kids asked we would tell them the truth. Didn't think they would be in 4k & K when they asked. I was in 4th grade before I found out about Santa. Honestly I was kinda nervous of the response we would receive back. Would they be mad that it was us and not really Santa? We explained the fun we could have in pretending that Santa was real. Also explained that Santa was just a symbol of Christmas kinda like the Christmas tree, but he wasn't the focal point of why we celebrate Christmas. We also had to add in how we shouldn't go around telling our friends Santa isn't real. Carter loves to spoil a surprise, and if he thinks he knows something you don't, it's hard for him to keep that mouth shut. The boys took the news rather well and decided they were totally ok with the fact that Santa wasn't real, as long as they could wake up to presents on Christmas morning. Didn't seem to matter to them who brought the gifts. Now don't go getting all upset with us for telling them the truth at such as young age. Like I mentioned before we talked about the fun we can have with Santa, just have to make sure he doesn't become a focal point. Part of our Santa fun is going to visit him at the Bass Pro Shop. This year we even went with friends.















And all three kids made sure we left him cookies & milk the night before.















As a side note *the boys may not believe in Santa, but their little sister does. For now anyway.

This year Santa brought something that the boys have been asking for, for months now. Loft beds.






























We decided that since the boys were getting new beds that it was time for our little girl to move out of the toddler bed into a twin bed. I almost cried when setting this all up. I can't believe she is already 3!

Racin at Dega

My father-in-law got the opportunity to have a driving experience at Talladega Superspeedway. Therefore we got to stand in the pit and cheer Grandaddy on!! The kids were so excited!















Getting ready to go....





























Cheering Grandaddy on!















There he goes!















Best part was when Isabel announced to everyone....yay, Grandaddy won!

House Updates

Many people have asked how the house is coming along. My response is always, we're getting there. Here are a few updated pictures.

Kitchen now has a tile back splash and the hood is hung.















Ben did a WONDERFUL job on my kitchen island - butcher block.















Took forever to figure out what color/kind of curtains for the living room and for a price that I was willing to pay.




















My favorite purchase so far is the living room rug. Found a great deal and it actually matched the couch!















Decorating for Christmas made me quickly realize that I did not have a mantel because we don't have a fireplace. Something I didn't miss until I went to put out my decorations. Had to make do with wall decor for our stockings. I was happy with the results even though I do miss my mantel & fireplace.


































Still have some work to do around the house, especially in the classroom, but we're getting there.

Gingerbread House

Usually the tradition is making all sorts of Christmas goodies with the kids. This year due to time & mommy's all day "morning sickness" with baby we decided to go with a gingerbread house.

Our goal....















Caden decided he wanted to focus on the gingerbread men.















Carter wanted to decorate the rooftop, but had to get a few tips from dad.















Didn't take him long before he took over.















Isabel, we'll she just kept eating the candy!















Working together as a family.





























I think we may have a new tradition! They did a great job ;)