Christmas with the Alexanders

We Love These People!  Mike and Mandy Alexander (aren't they pretty)

And all the little people that hang around them...Austin, Ava, Aubrey, Ainslee

Turkey Lurkey

Do you get extra Boone & Crockett points if the kill is almost as big as you?  Does Boone & Crockett even score turkeys?  For clarification...Jason shot the turkey...Emma was the point man..uh..girl.  We start 'em young 'round here.  But in our defense...she is a natural meat eater.  This is the girl that said, at age 3, as she was playing with DD's baby chicks..."I love chickens...I love to EAT chickens!".

New Tree on the Block

You know what I don't get...fake trees. I know...lots of my friends have them and swear by them. "It's so convenient!", they say. Or "there are no pine needles everywhere...it's more earth friendly...", My favorite, "It pays for itself in 3 years." But to me, part of the magic of Christmas is the tradition of picking out a Christmas tree...the kids running around like wild indians, playing hide-and-go-seek amongst the trees... Jason following behind saying "Whatever you want dear"...me haggling with the store worker for a tree that is "just a bit taller/fluffier/not so lopsided"...and finally leaving witht he perfect tree. And every year we say that THIS is the BEST tree we have ever had. Besides, I love the smell of pine needles in the floor, and in the vacuum cleaner, and in the fire place, and in my socks, and under the rug....

GO PLAY!

It's here!  After months of waiting, the trampoline has finally arrived in our back yard and we are THRILLED!  Thankyou DD and Pappy!  Now go outside and play!

Performance on the Square

For Georgetown's downtown Christmas stroll on the square, my children had the opportunity to show off their stellar abilities in their interest sof the moment...

Tatum's first piano recital after just 2 months of piano lessons...he had a 5 minute time slot...and he spent half of it just warming up (stretching his fingers, clearing his throat, making sure his assistant brought the right music).  While he played he would slit his eyes toward his audience to make sure we were watching.  After playing the 3 notes he knew he stood and bowed graciously to his adoring fans ...

He was rewarded with a piggy-back ride.  Only someone as strong as Pappy could pull that off.

Then is was time to run to the square to watch Emma's 10 minute dance recital.  I'm not just saying this because she's mine, but because it's the truth...she was the best dancer on stage...she took her role very seriously.

Slow Start

Gd was really being kind to me when he made my children.  Rather than make me change my internal clock He  made my children to also be slow wakers.  Oh Yeah baby, we like to do some sleeping around here and we don't much appreciate being woken up until we are good and ready...and that is never before 9 am.  So the breakfast table is as I like it...quiet.

Quantity Time

Which is better...quality or quantity?  For this Daddy they are one in the same.  Since becoming a father, Jason's main hobby has become children and every spare minute he has is spent pouring into them.  He is parenting on purpose.  Another reason I love this man!
(He and the kids hiked the San Gabriel creek and 3 hours and 3 miles later I picked up very tired and very happy children.  Oh yes, and I stayed home...yet another reason I love this man!)