Santa!

Santa was very good to my children this year. Sam was very excited to find a wii when he woke up Christmas morning and has been playing it a lot in the last few days! Ella got a new pink and purple tricycle. She hasn't figured out how to work the pedals yet but loves to scoot around and load up the trunk!

Don't you love the way my kids hair is in the morning. I had to capture that bed head look!

Christmas with the Medleys

We hosted our first Christmas at our house. We had John's sisters and their families over for brunch on Sunday the twenty-eighth. There was way too much yummy food. We fed my nieces so well they had to take naps following brunch. How is it I can get the thirteen year olds to sleep but my almost two year old wanted nothing to do with a nap?

I think the day was a success. Now it is time to find places for all of the new toys!

Christmas in KC

We went up to Kansas City on Christmas Eve to celebrate with my family. We had a delicious chili supper for John's birthday and later that night my sister, brother, mom and I went to Christmas mass. The next day the majority of my mom's family and some of my dad's came over to celebrate Christmas. Everyone had a wonderful time. We are truly blessed to have such a close and amazing family!

Christmas Cheer!

John's work Christmas party was last weekend. It was held at the Hilton in Branson. It was quite the affair. There was dinner, drinks, dancing, a casino area and a large scavenger hunt. I'm proud to say our team came in second in the scavenger hunt earning twenty dollars each. I think only three out of the ten of us completed all the events though. The open bar was too much of a lure for some (including John). My competitive spirit would not give up though. Rooms were also provided for everyone but since it was John's weekend on call we had to return home. Luckily, we get a voucher to return at our own convenience. We had a good time!

Cards are Coming

These are the best of the many, many photos I took trying to get one for the Christmas card. Ella just doesn't like to be still. Sam did a great job and was so patient. Last year I had both moving. Maybe in a few years they will both cooperate.

Decorating Updates

We got our curtains in today! I'm excited I think they finish off the room. We also received our mirror for the entry last week and it was hung today. The picture doesn't do it justice but wanted to share anyway. I'm also including a photo of the couch pillows. I'm so pleased with how everything turned out in the living room.

I'm also excited about our Christmas tree. We were able to find a beautiful frasier fir shipped to Missouri from North Carolina. Of course we had to pay twice what we did last year but it was worth it!

Poor Grandma!

It was time to change the blog up for Christmas. I hope you all like the new background. The thankful lists on the side have been changed to each of our favorite Christmas carols. We were all standing in the kitchen and I was asking everyone to tell me their favorites. Sam and John had told me theirs and I was getting ready to head downstairs to type. John called out to me jokingly, "Grandma Got Run over by a Reindeer."
To which Sam replied, "SHE DID???"
He is too funny!

First Snow of the Season

Sam is very excited about the prospect of lots of snow this winter. He has never been able to build a snowman or go sledding. While I'm missing the warmer days in Carolina he is anxious for a BIG snowfall. He got a small taste of snow this weekend with our first snowfall. He, Grandma, and Grandpa had fun making and throwing snowballs.