December 12th really jumpstarted our Christmas holiday. We decided to go try somewhere we have never been before - Cheekwood Botanical Gardens.
They had live reindeer!!!
The Christmas lights were beautiful and we were amazed by how many lights there were - over 750,000!!!!
Cheekwood is a botanical garden and they still have beautiful plants inside the buildings despite the cold weather outside.
The boys loved this train!
Every year we try to make homemade hard candy. This year the boys each picked a color and flavor to make.
Putting up the Christmas tree. We fully expected to be in our new house for Christmas but its not looking good for that so we get to enjoy one more Christmas at John Mark Court!
Making more candy!
Making handprint ornaments ....
.... and painting Nutcrackers.
Intense gingerbread house contest
Man I love making (and eating) Christmas candy!!!
Everyone's Nutcracker
The winning gingerbread house!
Christmas dinner on the Brasfield side
Playing Dirty Santa!
So we planned on surprising the boys Christmas morning. A couple days before Christmas mom and I wrapped presents and got the new house prepared for Santa to come. The house is done enough to be able to enjoy it somewhat. We have flooring, a couch and appliances to cook breakfast.
Christmas Eve at the Campbell's
Christmas eve at Richard & Valeria's house for the McWhorter side. Look at all these boys ... and Annalise.
Every year we make Stella a calendar. I think its her favorite gift! I know she looks forward to it every year!
Liam and Ryan playing chess with the Harry Potter chess set he got from the Barnett's
Sweet baby!
Reid helping Uncle Barry pick out his Dirty Santa gift
Day before Christmas Eve we had a friend dress up in his Santa suit and come out to the new house so that I could record him to show the boys on Christmas morning. My plan worked perfectly.
We were up early Christmas morning due to the boys waking us up saying that "Santa didn't bring them the gifts they had wished for." They then found a letter written from Santa talking about how he was confused as to where he was supposed to drop off the gifts. He expected us to be in the new house so that's where he dropped them off.
Thats when I "noticed" there was movement on the camera at the new house and they got to see Santa walking around outside the new house.
We quickly loaded everyone into the car and drove out to the new house.
Everyone was excited to see their gifts when they walked in the new house!
Even Ref!
Mom and Dad came over and brought their gifts too. We cooked breakfast after everyone was done opening up their presents.
After that we loaded up and made our way to Nana & Papa's house to do Christmas with them! Here we are in our traditional family PJ Christmas picture.
Kane the magician
Reid's Tennessee football helmet signed by Alontae Taylor
As always everyone got everything they wanted and more. We are so blessed!
