Logan's 1st Christmas!!

The kids let us sleep in to about 8:30!! It's so much fun watching Leighton see what Santa brought.  The pure bliss on her face is worth it all!  Santa was very good to her this year.  Her big present for the year was a rocking horse.  She ended up loving it!  Santa also thought it was about time to start potty-training, so he brought her a Dora potty seat.  Logan got some baby toys and cute outfits. 

Since we didn't have any family in town for Christmas Day and the Dickey's did, they invited us over for Christmas dinner, like we did for them last year.  Funny how we've started a new tradition!  We're thankful for such great friends!

Christmas Eve

Because we wanted to spend Christmas morning at home, we decided to spend Christmas Eve in Montgomery.  It worked out great, because I finally got to see my college roommate Lindsey and her husband Doug.  I haven't seen them since our trip to DC in 2007, so that means they hadn't met either of my kids!  It still seems weird at times that we're even old enough for kids!

After meeting with our friends, we spent the rest of the evening at Jonathan's parents house.  We had our traditional rehearsal dinner for Christmas Eve dinner, then opened presents.  The Christmas Eve before our wedding in 2004, Jodi decided to try out these recipes for a possible menu for the rehearsal dinner that they would be hosting that next April.  We had filet mignon cooked in the oven, fresh almondine green beans, wild rice pilaf, rolls, and mandarin orange salad.  It was all SO good that we've had it just about every Christmas Eve since.  We also have to take the family picture in front of the Christmas tree (a tradition that I started).

Finally, on our way out of town, we decided to stop by the house on Dalraida Pkwy that is always covered in lights.  Leighton loooved it! 

Bible Study Christmas Party

I'm also so blessed to be part of this bible study group.  It's amazing how all of us have said on different occasions that we've been praying for a godly group of women like this.  We have all become so close through our studies and we can always count on each other for support and prayers.  I've never seen so many prayers answered like I have through this group!!  I can't wait to see what next year has in store for us!

Christmas Card Pictures

Teri came over to help us take pictures for our Christmas card.  I had originally planned to use a picture of just the kids, but since Logan is still so small, it was too difficult to prop him up and expect Leighton to do it just right. lol We ended up making it a family picture, but I think we got a good one!  Maybe we'll start using pictures of just the kids next year.  That's if we can wrangle a toddler Logan. lol  I included a couple of our outtakes.  Enjoy!

Sunday School Christmas Party

Our Sunday School's Christmas party was held at our teachers Banks and Margo's house.  We feel so blessed to have found this class and to have met so many great friends!!

Santa Claus

My Dad has started a new business as being Santa Claus, so what a perfect way to take the kids picture with Santa!  Of course, Leighton was scared to death, so the only way we could manage a picture was actually through photoshop.  lol  She's not too fond of people (or mascots) dressed up in costumes.  We took a picture of her sitting in Jonathan's lap, then my Dad photoshopped her onto his lap.  There's no way the Santa at the mall could've pulled that off.  And now we're sure to have a Santa picture every year!

Aubie Claus!

One of the perks of living in the Auburn area is that we got to see Aubie Claus!!  Leighton knows all about Aubie, at least from the pictures she sees of him in our house.  I was trying my best to prepare her to meet him.  She even started repeating back to me what I had been telling her all day, "Sit in Aubie's lap and smile really big!"  We arrived to flip flop foto 30 minutes early and were the 2nd ones in line.  Aubie Claus showed up in a golf cart with an escort and was quickly whisked into the studio like a celebrity. lol  We only had a few minutes to capture the perfect picture, since the line was down the street and he was only going to be there for an hour or so.  Well, the moment we walked into the studio, Leighton lost it.  :(  Oh well.  Of course Logan was as content as he could be sitting in Aubie's lap.  The only way we could get her in the picture was for Jonathan to hold her.  So it became a family picture.  We weren't exactly coordinating with their cute matching outfits, but oh well, it makes for a great memory and captures their personalities!

After the picture, we had dinner at Las Margaritas with the Dickey's.  Leighton was in a much better mood by then!  And Logan was a sweetie at dinner too. :)