Glitter shoes

Pink and so very shiny.

Her absolute favorite go to shoes.

Scuffed up from skipping, running, climbing, shopping, and playing.

Toes can no longer fit inside so we had to say goodbye.

Well worth the eight dollars at walmart.

I'm going to miss these lil shiny feet.

merriest christmas of all.

Our final trip home took us to Georgia for one of the best Christmas weeks I can remember!  No major sickness, happy faces, lots of family time, and just an overall great celebration.  The car ride is always long, but this was a good one!  Even Catsy joined us.  

 On Friday, the cousins all met at Mimi & Papa's house for family photos and a magical trip to the Polar Express.  They had a blast bundled up in their pjs and meeting Santa together.  Next, the kids joined Nana at her house for the night.  They made lots of cookies and played for hours.  And, lucky mama & daddy got to have a date night with some friends.  

Sunday, the Hills went to Mema's to celebrate Christmas together.  This is one of my favorite days.  I love watching all the cousins play together and catch up.  

 

 I love this one in front of Mema's gigantic oak tree in her front yard.  

On Christmas eve, Davis treated us to a special breakfast at the Waffle House.  He was so proud and it will become a tradition with the four of us for sure.  I love that he wanted to do that for our family.  

Sweet cousins ready for cookie decorating, fabulous dinner, and presents!  

 They all wanted to work independently this year!  

 Shane bought this nativity set for his mama in 1997.  He was a senior in college and had very little money.  I just love it.  

 

Sweet Meredith reading the Christmas Story this year.  This seriously brought tears to my eyes.  She is so precious and I love how they all adore her.  

Christmas day began about 4:00 am for mr. Davis!  Luckily, he did go back to sleep for about 2 hours!  They were soo excited that Santa had visited us...and remembered that we were in Georgia.
He met their wishes and then some...it was so sweet watching them open presents this year. 

Sleepy girl showing us her beautiful new earrings!  

 Stompees!!!  

 My most favorite gift.  My family!  

 Shane and I decided to do a trip to NY this winter since we live so close!
We are taking the kids to see Annie on broadway...  so excited!  

 My family came to celebrate Christmas day with us!  Such fun spending time together and eating of course.  We opened gifts, caught up on life, and played a fun game of Headbandz.

 Grandpa and his shoes!!  Skull Vans and sparkly light up pink shoes for Sis this year!  

We've made it back to Maryland with big smiles on our faces and messes in our floors.  Unpacking and feeling very grateful for a fun and memorable holiday season.  This is our last Christmas away from home, and I have to say that excites me.  We will live it up here in Maryland....and then one final trip HOME in July!  

merry friends

A few of my friends have asked me to take pictures for their Christmas cards.  It has been so fun and gives me lots of excuses to hit the beach and practice.  I wish Santa would bring mama a new camera.  Not a chance, but it's fun to think about. 

I absolutely love these of Carson & her sweet friend Layla.  

They are such silly friends! 

The only one with Vance & Davis....and the coloring is all wacky.  It's still cute though.  

...and of course I had to drag my own two out to the beach and attempt a Christmas card picture!  

Can't wait to hire a professional in the summer before we head back to Georgia.  

 I love this picture...the week after this picture was taken hurricane Sandy came and knocked this pier over.  

 Round 2 was......  um, cold.  and miserable.  and I'm really surprised they have smiles on their faces.  I love them anyways!  ;) 

christmas traditions

Crafting, good holiday music, and fun has started! 

Shane has been taking some time off lately and has enjoyed one on one time with the kids.   

His project this year was making gingerbread houses with the kids.  

Carson had strep throat at the beginning of the month.  This was her pitiful face while we were cutting out snowflakes.  

 And Catsy is back!
He has been watching and listening and was awfully sad this week when he had to fly back to the North Pole to give a naughty report.  Thankfully, he was able to come back to us this weekend.  

growing up

I found a tiny little sock this morning. 

The foot part of it barely fit in my palm and I was a complete mess. 

Not that I want to go back to those days, but because of how it seems like it was just yesterday.  

I'm going to blink again and they'll be in adult socks.  

I am just loving them at this age.  Their soft features, their tender innocent hearts, and their natural joy that they have about life.  No worries and just sweetness (and of course sibling fights that make me crazy).  

I love watching her color and create.  She is so artistic these days and it's usually how we spend our afternoons while waiting on big brother to come home from school.  

Then she gets tired and wants me to hold her while we read books. 

Oh, and sometimes she likes to get major attitude and slam her bedroom door and tell me how sad I've made her.  But, lucky for her mama those times are becoming more rare.  

 It was his little brown sock that I found this morning.  I remember them so well on his chubby little feet.  

The feet that I used to rub when he cried and cried his first few months of his life.  

Those feet are now running so fast...hard for me to keep up with.  

Those feet are training for his first little fun run this weekend!
He's getting taller, funnier, smarter, and sweeter when i didn't even think that was possible.  

He is loving school, however I miss him so much it's unbelievable.  Sometimes I catch myself just staring at him after school.  Weird, mama.  

 Hello, little Shane. 

And that darn freckle on his ear will be lucky if it survives living in my home.  I stinking love it!  

Santa!

Yesterday, jolly ole' St. Nick was visiting the cute little town of Berlin.  

The kids were super excited about their letters this year so we made sure we had them just perfect for Santa.  

 Carson's wishes:  Stompees, a new dog, and a lunchbox.

 Sweet girl in the only red & green clothing that she agrees to wear. 

Davis' wishes:  A "rocket bike", karaoke machine, and an Ipod.  

 I love when he does this with his little fingers.  Anytime he's nervous.  Bless him.  He either snaps like crazy or grips his fingers.  It's the sweetest thing.  

 We're starting to take over Santa's lap! 

 Celebrating the season with friends Mason & Tanner.  

 My absolute most favorite picture of my sweeties.  

 

These are pretty funny, too.