Christmas Eve lunch at Nana and Grandpa's

We had lunch at Nana and Grandpa's on Christmas Eve. After lunch, we all opened our presents. The children got lots of fun toys - in these pictures, Jane Gray is trying out her roller blades, and Charlie is playing with his scooter and remote control car. After lunch and presents opening, we went to the candlelight Christmas Eve service at Nana's church, Christ United. It was a family affair, and the children did so well - in fact, they even caught a little shut-eye. Meg wasn't sleepy; she was talking up a storm, so she and Daddy had to leave the service for a little while. But, Meg and Daddy came back just in time for Silent Night, when each member of the congregation lights a candle. It is so beautiful!

Christmas Eve Eve

After Selah's party, Jane Gray and I stopped by the Tri Delt Mother-Daughter Christmas luncheon at Leslie Bobo's house. We visited with some of our friends and ate a light lunch. We were saving room for Cock of the Walk with Momma and the Stowes. Before we headed to the Cock of the Walk, we decided to go see the Christmas decorations at Bass Pro. Bass Pro was very festive, and Jane Gray and Charlie even got to visit with Santa Claus (again!). The kids loved seeing the trains and Christmas decorations, but they really loved getting to see the fish and animals.

Selah's Christmas party

Jane Gray's friend, Selah, celebrated Christmas with a "Happy Birthday, Jesus" party. Selah's mom read some Christmas books to the girls, and the girls decorated gingerbread houses and ate birthday cake. It was a really cute party, and Jane Gray had so much fun with her friends!

Hurst girls' Christmas party

Genevieve and Liddy had Jane Gray and some of their friends over to their house today to celebrate Christmas. They decorated cookies, jumped on the trampoline, and made a nativity scene with stickers. Jane Gray had so much fun with her cousins and friends!

Barbour family Christmas party

Since Haley has been Governor, he and Marsha have graciously hosted a Christmas party for the Barbour family at the Governor's Mansion. Santa Claus always makes an appearance, descending down the staircase to his eager fans. This year, Jane Gray and Charlie waited for him on the stairs so that they would see him as soon as he came down from the North Pole (i.e. upstairs). Santa picked up Charlie, Jane Gray held his hand, and the kids had their pictures made with him. Marsha set out a playset with a slide, so, after Santa left, that kept the kids occupied for the rest of the party (Charlie is standing on the playset in his picture with Haley).

Meg and the Christmas tree

Meg hasn't really noticed the Christmas tree and presents because she is always so busy watching her big sister and brother. Well, this morning while they were at church (Meg has had pink eye, so we kept her out of the nursery), Meg touched the lower tree ornaments and pulled the bows off the Christmas presents. She was so fascinated by it all - her very first Christmas!

You are my sunshine

Every morning, Meg greets me with a big smile. She never cries to get out of bed - I know she's awake when I hear her talking and playing in her crib. This morning when I went to get her out of bed, she was standing on her head - it was so cute!