December

We kicked off December with Hollon's gymnastics winter showcase. Hollon's group is the youngest at the gym, so they didn't have much to show. But it was still fun to watch.

(for some of us)

Her bar routine cracked me up. After she finishes, you can see her say "ouch, that hurt my belly". 😆

They have different showcases throughout the weekend, so this is not all of Hollon's class. These were just the ones that performed during her time slot.

Thank you Mimi & Granddad for coming to watch!

Our Elf showed up on December 1st

We got out all of the Christmas books. I love hearing Hollon tell the story of Jesus.

After church

I was in charge of Jake's school's Santa Shop. It is a week-and-a-half long and the parents send money for their kids to shop for them and family members. It is a huge project, but also makes a ton of money for the school. So it is worth it, and I love seeing all the kids have so much fun shopping on their own. 

I love catching sweet moments like this

Jake's school showed the movie Elf one night and according to Hollon "one of Santa's friends was there".

Auburn was playing at UAB in basketball one night, so we went with friends out to eat and to the game.

Jake's teachers gifts

And some of Hollon's

Party favors for Hollon's class party

And so I can always remember "real life", behind the pretty wrapped perfectly posed bags - 

is this mess.....

Seriously, such a mess!

Hollon's last gymnastics class of the year. She finally got the bar flip!

But she sometimes still gets stuck.....

Jake's class party was earlier in the week, but in my promise to "not embarrass him", I didn't take any pictures. Thankfully Hollon is still young enough to not care that mom is there taking pictures! She had her class party a few days later.

Christmas Nativity Bingo

Trying to get a class picture with 12 4-year-olds

After Hollon's class party, the Bushes picked the kids & I up and we headed down to Niceville to spend a few days with Rob's grandfather & GG Kathy. Rob's work was crazy with end of the year, so he stayed back in Birmingham to work. 

Granddad & Granddad Jake took Jake to an Air Force museum

Granddad Jake was in the Air Force, and Jake loves to hear his stories. It was such a neat experience for Jake and one I hope he always remembers. 

 Kathy, Mimi, Hollon and me went shopping and then we all met up at a mall in the next town over. I wasn't able to get the kids picture made with Santa before we left Birmingham, so we found a Santa down near Niceville to take the kids to. 

And played a few games on our way out

We rode around on Granddad Jake's golf cart to look at Christmas lights in their neighborhood and then came back and let the kids open gifts from Granddad Jake & Kathy.

The next morning, the kids got to help decorate Christmas cookies

We had such a blast! Granddad Jake is 96, but I swear is healthier and more active than someone half his age. It was such a special time for the kids and I to get to just hang out and spend time with them. 

Jake & Jake

And Hollon only rearranged some of Kathy's decor (Kathy decorates with hundreds of figurines)

After leaving Niceville, the Bushes dropped the kids and me off in Prattville at my parents. My parents recently redid a back bedroom and made it into a "grandkids suite". 

The Hollon family Christmas was the next day and it was everything I could do to try to keep Hollon from dragging out!

So she entertained with her favorite Christmas song and dance

Rob and the rest of the family all joined us on Saturday. My mom is recovering from knee surgery, so we had a low key Christmas.

Are these cousins not the sweetest?!?!?!

Group picture went about as well as Hollon's class picture

We made our way back to Birmingham Saturday night. The Sunday church service before Christmas is always one of my favorites. They were not having Sunday School or Children's Church, so both kids came with us in big church for the first time.

Christmas Eve & Jake's Birthday!

Christmas Eve morning, we went to brunch at one of our friend's house (whose son happens to be Christopher, one of Hollon's besties)

Then Rob took Jake to their annual Christmas Eve birthday movie. There was not a Star Wars movie out this year, so Jake picked to see Bumblebee. While they were at the movie, Hollon & I worked on food for Christmas day. 

Now you know why our egg recipes have a little "crunch" to them....

That night, we went to Christmas Eve candlelight service. When all of the kids went to go on stage for the children's part, Hollon was sitting in Jake's lap.

And then we came home for cake & presents for Jake! (I'll do a separate Jake birthday post)

Ready for Santa!

Santa brings the kids 3 gifts and then everything else is from mom & dad and family. Jake got a guitar, fitbit watch and G1 transformer

Hollon got a Barbie dream house, Barbie wedding party dolls and Barbie car

Normally we have to wake the kids up Christmas morning. Not this year though. They were up before us! Thankfully my mom was on the sofa and kept them from coming downstairs until everyone else was awake.

My sweet parents had come up for the Christmas Eve service and spent the night. So glad they got to see the kids experience Christmas morning!

 Dreamhouse is a little larger than we were expecting and takes up way more room

It has rained almost every day in December. Thankfully there was a break on Christmas day. It was still overcast, but at least we could hang out outside some.

Of course Hollon didn't want to play with any of her new toys....

...but instead an old ball that Rob had pumped some air into.

She also picked out this outfit

She did play a little while with her new bubble wand

 And Jake played a little guitar 

My parents left late morning and the Bushes got into town from Chattanooga later afternoon. They headed over once they got into town to have Christmas with our family. And Jake got to open more birthday gifts.

It was a wonderful December!

A few pictures of our house at Christmas....