From our house to yours, Russ and I wish you and yours the very merriest of Christmases! Enjoy your friends and family over the holidays!

'Tis the Season for Catching Up and Caroling

One of my favorite things about coming home for Christmas is the time I have to catch up with friends. My group of high school friends always gets together during Christmas to visit and eat. Well...we are learning as more of us are marrying and moving off that getting together is more difficult. So, this year...the four of us who had one common day free had lunch. Season, Katy, Prentiss, and I had lunch at Pizza Grocery today. It is always so fun catching up with these girls. I usually learn a whole lot about what's been going on too! Hometown friends are irreplaceable. They know things that no one else does. They have watched you grow up and seen you at your best and worst. I hope our holiday visits continue as the years pass. Thanks for your friendships, girls! Love ya'll!

Season, me, Prentiss, and Katy

Tonight, my family had a pleasant surprise! Everyone had just gotten home from work, shopping, etc. We were actually getting ready to head out to eat when our doorbell rang. What a surprise - CAROLERS! I love caroling!! That was one of my favorite things to do when I was younger. Our girl scout troop would carol together every year. So much fun! A family from our church had gotten together and gone caroling around town. Taylor and his brother played the guitar as the rest of the family sang Christmas carols. Now, it definitely feels like Christmas!

The Little family

Russ, me, Kellie, and Taylor
(Farley, too!)

A Letter to Santa

The last day of school, I had my students write a letter to Santa. I published several of them on our class blog if you want to read some of them. Of course, the grammar was corrected in order for it to look presentable! There was one letter that broke my heart.

Dear Santa,

I know you and the elves are having a difficult time, but there are three things I want. This is going to take a while. All I want for Christmas is an XBOX 360 and a basketball. Most of all, is to let my mother get a good job. I don't care about the money. I just want my mother to be happy. Please, Santa, please. I beg you. Don't forget the present I want the most!

Love,
Charles

Reading this letter made me realize how blessed we are. This Christmas...count your blessings and help someone in need. Give a gift, a hug, or even a smile! You never know what's going on in the lives of others. Remember the reason for the season!

I'm Dreaming of a Ya Ya Christmas

Tonight was the official Ya Ya Christmas party at Pizza Grocery. Ya Ya Vicki had it all set up when the rest of the Ya Yas arrived. She had Christmas placemats for each Ya Ya. She also had a floral arrangement and candles on the table. When Kristin and I finally made it to the table, they were so funny sitting by candlelight with their placemats from home! They were also surrounded by gifts...some for Kristin (soon to be Ya Ya Jr.) and me (Ya Ya Jr.). They finished the night by riding around looking at Christmas lights. Thanks ladies! I'm glad there's no age limit for fun! Ha ha!! (Just kidding!)

Ya Ya Teri, Ya Ya Susan, Ya Ya Hope, Ya Ya Vicki, and Ya Ya Sherra

The Ya Ya Jrs. with our gifts - New Year's hats and holiday giftwrapping scissors. So cute! Kristin and I have become the official wrappers for the Ya Ya's gifts. Ha!

Christmas Visit With the Farris Family

Tonight, Russ and I went to visit his Aunt Julie and Uncle Bill while their whole family was in town. We had a great time. Russ has not seen some of these family members in forever. Some I met for the first time. It was such a delight to spend time with the Farris family! We should certainly do it more often!

The whole group - Russ did not bring his camera, so I "borrowed" this picture from Roan.

Merry Christmas from Mrs. Johnson's Class!!

Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hall-e-lu-jah!!!

School is OUT for the holidays!!! I cannot tell you the emotions flowing through my body as the last "precious child" (yeah right!) walked out of my room!!!!! I ran home and packed my car as fast as I could! Now, Russ and I are relaxing with family in the great town of Corinth!

A Quarter of a Century!!

I celebrated my 25th birthday yesterday with my family in Corinth. At church Sunday morning, I was told that I was "a quarter of a century old." Wow! I never thought of it that way! Halfway to 50! Oh my! Now, I feel old! Russ's sister sent me text message teasing me about my age and told me "Happy 20th birthday!" I informed her that I now know how "older people" feel at each birthday. It's crazy to think that I'm halfway to 50! I informed her that the only thing keeping me encouraged is the fact that SHE is CLOSER!! Ha ha!

After church, we went to my parents' house to eat and have birthday cake!! So much fun! I got some great gifts! It made me super excited about opening Christmas gifts! I hinted around about opening them early...but no one else agreed! Oh well!

Owl ornaments from Lee - once a Chi O, always a Chi O!

Kristin made pottery to ask me to be her Matron of Honor! So cute! Matron sounds so old, don't you think?

SUPER cute sweater from Dustin!

I love my coat from Mama and Daddy!

The cake...with 25 candles!

Farley helped me blow out the candles! Sorry about the photo quality.

It was a fun weekend! Thanks so much for a fun birthday!

Having a Bad Day?

A Christmas Story for people having a bad day:

When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the Pre-Christmas pressure.

Then Mrs. Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.
Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.

Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drank all the cider and hidden the rum. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.
The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?'

And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

Georgia On My Mind

Well... Russ and I made it home from our unbelievably short trip to Savannah, GA. I say short because we only spent one full day there. However, the drive was LONG!!! We drove a tiring 9 hours for Russ to interview and fit in some tourist attractions all in one weekend!

I must say that I had a blast!! The main attraction that I couldn't wait for was Paula Deen's restaurant! Yes, we ate at The Lady and Sons! Oh my goodness! It was SOOOO good! Since it was Sunday...they had a buffet. All you could eat PLUS dessert! The waitress brought us one of each dessert because we couldn't decide. Yummy!!

Me in front of the restaurant

Inside the Paula Deen store - cute aprons!

Russ and I even stopped for a photo op with Paula herself! (the cardboard one, that is)

Of course I bought stuff! Hmmm...wonder whose Christmas presents are in the bags!?

Okay...so I had my fun! Now, it was time for Russ. Who knew that I married a history buff!? And, let me say, we were in the right place for history! We walked a couple of blocks to the carriage rides. We were dying to see the historic district and the ride lasted one hour. So, we took it. Good choice! I'm sure Russ could tell you all the historic significance there. I simply thought it was beautiful! So, I'm sure I am posting the insignificant pictures just because I think they're pretty.

The private carriage ride - cost: $85! Nope, we didn't take that one!

Waiting for the public carriage ride to begin - in the market area.

We actually lucked out anyway! We were the only two on the ride! These are our guides.

One of the many squares in the history district

This is for my brother! This is the place where Forrest Gump sat on the bench in the movie. The bench was actually part of the set, so they took it with them after shooting the movie. They did build benches later, that looked the same, around the square.

Like I said, I somehow married a history buff. I, however, was never that good at it in school. So, after our tour of the historic district...Russ wanted to check out Wormsloe, suggested by our guide. The family that started this plantation right as they got off the boat in Savannah still lives here. It is a beautiful area!

The entry into Wormsloe - 1.5 miles of oak trees lining the drive. Beautiful!

Russ standing by some of the ruins of the original house. These walls were built from seashells, dirt, etc. to keep the enemies out of their space. Interesting story...but I'll have to get Russ to retell it.

I waited patiently while Russ took pictures of the "landscapes."

We had a great trip! We fit all we could into one day! And after such a long drive home, it was good to sleep in my own bed!

From Our House to Yours...

Well...Christmas is coming very quickly for us this year! We have a jam packed schedule between the two of us. I've been busily shopping, wrapping gifts, and putting up the remainder of the decorations. Russ has been out of town every other day or so on interviews. We are actually getting ready to head to Savannah, GA tomorrow morning for an interview. Russ just returned, tonight, from Mobile. It's crazy around here! But, it's always fun that way. I thought I'd show you a few pics of the decorations so far since most of you won't be around to see them. Hope you enjoy!

The tree and stockings: Russ's, mine, and Farley's (of course!)

Our Christmas tree - notice the gifts I've wrapped so far.

The piano - These carolers are collectibles that my grandmother gave me "on loan" until my dad wants them. My dad used to give these to my mom for The 12 Days of Christmas. He still does the 12 Days of Christmas - just with other things. Some of the gifts include: Dickens Village collection, Clothtique Santas, Gail Pittman dishes, anything else my sister or I pick out for him! Ha! This is a tradition that Russ and I have picked up! It's so much fun!

My CUTE Christmas dishes!!! I love these!