Bowling

We went bowling as a family while Sarah Catherine was here. We had a great time! Unfortunately, my camera died after taking these two pictures.

Opryland in December

Sarah Catherine came back to Murfreesboro for a few days after Christmas. We decided to spend an afternoon at Opryland in Nashville. First, we went to the Ice! exhibit. This year's theme was Santa Claus is Coming to Town. It was spectacular! They give you these giant parkas to wear, which we wore over our winter coats. Our faces were so cold that they were bright red. The kids slid down ice slides, which makes me cold even thinking about it now! The pictures aren't great since it was so dark in the exhibit.

Then, we walked over to the hotel to take a look around. It had only just reopened after the May floods. It was amazing! It's just so lush with all of the trees, plants and waterfalls. It was just beautiful!

Christmas Day

We celebrated Christmas in Chattanooga this year. We told our Elf on a Shelf Buddy to tell Santa that we would be at Grandmar and Granddad's house this year. Maggie made us a hand print angel dish towel at school, and Ty made me two beaded necklaces. So sweet! Ty's favorite presents this year were Ace the Bathound stuffed animal, Batman bedding and posters for his room, science experiment kits and a Leapster 2. Maggie's favorite presents were a stuffed sheep, a baby doll, mailbox and a Leapster 2.

After everyone got cleaned up, the rest of the Applebys and Bryants arrived for Christmas Dinner. Before dinner, Granddad had a captive audience for a book reading in the library. After dinner, Maggie was found reading the same book to herself, while the rest of the children were in the living room having fun with the iPads, none of which were Christmas presents!

After another fabulous meal prepared by Grandmar, it was time to open presents. We had all of the children over Thanksgiving make a hand print wreath on a plate to give to Grandmar. She loved it! Then, the kids got to open more presents.

This was the first White Christmas in Chattanooga since 1989 with 5 inches of snow. It was so beautiful and just seemed to make Christmas more special.

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve at Pop and Nana B.G.'s house. It was so great to enjoy the family, especially with B.G. feeling better. After a delicious feast prepared by B.G., it was time to open presents. But Ty wanted to set the mood with a little music on the piano first. And, no, he doesn't know how to play the piano.

After the musical introduction, Ty and Maggie wanted to pass out the presents they had made for everyone. They had made hand print snowman ornaments and edible sand art. They were so excited to have something to give their loved ones on Christmas!

Next,  it was time for the kids to open a few presents. The expressions on Ty and Maggie's faces are signs that they LOVED their presents. They received some books that they had us read repeatedly once we were done opening presents.

We left Pop and Nana B.G.'s to spend the night with Grandmar and Granddad to await the arrival of Santa Claus. We decorated cookies for Santa. Jon and the kids sprinkled magic reindeer food in the grass. Ty and Maggie got to open their traditional Christmas Eve present - matching pajamas. We topped the night off with a Christmas movie. They were so excited that Maggie actually asked to go to bed!

Maggie's Dance Class

Ty and I got our first glimpse at Maggie's ballet and tap class today. With vacation and Thanksgiving, it had been three weeks since her last class. She didn't seem herself because of this. The class showed us their routines they are working on for the spring recital. Ty took these pictures while I recorded it. The pictures are a little blurry, but you get the idea.