Holiday Family Fun

We were given the opportunity to take the girls to a Gwinnett Gladiators Hockey game during the holidays. Our seats were the very first row in front of the rink. Any real hockey fan would have loved to be given these tickets; however, being that we have only been to one other hockey game and our seats were up a good ways, we were quite shocked to say the least!
These photos were taken when we arrived. I wish someone had been snapping photos of us during the ACTION taking place right in front of us on the glass! WOW - the girls and I were jumping and screaming on more than one occasion during the game. Sarah and Hannah even cried a few tears begging us to take them home! HAHA!!! I had the distinct pleasure of taking the girls to the bathroom while we were there. Do you sense the sarcasm!? While we were in the restroom, Sarah asks me, "Mommy, why do we have to sit so close? Can we just move back more? Or can Daddy just take us home?" We obviously did not appreciate having tickets for such "wonderful" seats!
Oh, and the hockey players are soooo mean! I never knew how violent they were - hitting, shoving, kicking, pushing, etc. I think every bully in school must have become a hockey player later in life. Not to mention the regular hockey fans that attend are quite rude, too. I don't think we will be purchasing season tickets for this sport. We need something a little less violent and loud - perhaps ballet! LOL!! Mark would love that!
The girls had fun dressing up like Mary, Joseph, and Jesus during Christmas. Sarah dressed Hannah up like Mary, and she made a manger for her to sit in. Hannah (Mary) is sitting with Jesus in Bethlehem in the Inn.
Yes, I am one of those crazy mothers you see when you are at the grocery store. The girls received a new baby doll grocery cart for Christmas, and they were eagerly anticipating their trip to Publix with their new grocery cart. So, I had a weak moment this day, and gave in to their pleas.
So, here we go walking through the very crowded Publix with 2 littles and 2 little carts. "Keep up with Mommy! Look where you are going! Get out of the way!," is what "passer-byers" heard coming from my mouth.

They thoroughly enjoyed this shopping trip - filling their carts with groceries!
Here they are trying to talk on their "cell-phones" while driving their carts. I guess this is what they see from Mommy!!!HAHAHA!!!
We made it out of the store without any tears and without any raised voices - praise the Lord, because this had all kinds of potentials for going south quick! So, the next time you see a mother at the grocery store with her kids and their strollers, just smile and remember we mothers do crazy things sometimes to put SMILES on kid's faces! I am realizing, it's moments such as these that they remember, and it's totally free fun - well except for the price of groceries! But, the fun of pushing their carts and babies is free!
We had another fun family excursion to the World of Coke in Atlanta. Once we FINALLY arrived to the tasting station, we were all happy! It was a long process getting to the tasting center, but it was fun! The girls enjoyed Sprite more than Coke.
When we left the World of Coke, it was dinnertime, and our bellies were calling for food. So after snapping this photo outside of the World of Coke, we headed to one of Daddy's favorite places, "The Varsity" for some real good food - by good -I mean - greasy goodness!!!

Farley Christmas

After a very relaxing morning, which included Hannah napping, we headed over to Grammy and Grandpa's for a Farley Family Christmas. We sat down for a wonderful meal, then started with the fun stuff!

Hannah enjoyed sitting (for a few seconds) with her Grammy and Grandpa while gifts were being opened.
The girls patiently waiting their turn before they tear into a package!
There are the 4 littles, with Aunt Leslie's on the way, and Joshua we just didn't want to punish him by making a 24 year old sit with the littles! "Quick - snap the picture!"
The girls and I made Jesus' birthday cake for the big celebration! Sarah decorated the cake with her own unique design. Here is a link for Jesus' birthday cake in case you are interested in the meanings behind the various colors and shapes on the cake. We made a cross shape instead of a circle like the recipe calls for.
The girls enjoyed singing Happy Birthday to Jesus!
We are thankful for a wonderful Christmas with Mark's family! Thank you for your loving and generous hearts!

Family Christmas Tradition

Creating family traditions is very important to Mark and me. We decided when Sarah was born we wanted to make a tradition of being home on Christmas Eve and waking up in our home Christmas morning. On Christmas Eve, we spent some time around the Christmas tree as Mark read the story about Jesus' birth from the bible. Then, we left for the Christmas Eve worship service at church.

On Christmas morning, Mark and I woke up first and were laying in bed waiting on the girls to come get us. Hannah was first to wake, then we woke Sarah and all walked out together to see what was left around the tree.
Mark is opening his Falcons slippers from the girls.
The girls both received aprons and a waitress tablet handmade by Mommy. Their favorite gift of all was the Barbie Dream House! We are all still wearing pj's and it was like 10:00 when we started cooking brunch. I am wearing my favorite apron given to me by my sweet friend. Thank you AN!!!
We had such a relaxing morning just spending time together as a family. Everyone took part in preparing a delicious brunch! Then, we took our time preparing to leave for Grammy and Grandpa's house.
Oh, I forgot to mention my Christmas present! It was a new-to-me mini-van, which I LOVE!!! Thank you my sweet husband for always taking care of your girls!!! All in all, we had a wonderful Christmas celebrating the one who truly gave us the gift of Christmas.

McGregor Family Christmas

Let the festivities begin! The kids had been itching to open presents since the night before when we arrived at Baba and Papa's. They patiently waited until after breakfast and after lunch before they ripped open the gifts with pure joy and excitement!
Baba and Papa with their little pride and joys!!!!Hannah is waiting with pure excitement for her turn to rip open her gift -which was a toy gas pump.
The girls love to play the piano with Baba. This piano belonged to my Grandmama, and I vividly remember watching her prepare for Sunday morning worship in her living room before we would leave for church. She loved playing the piano and loved to sing. I felt deeply touched and honored to learn that she willed her piano to me. So, one day (when we have space) I will be calling in the piano for the girls to carry on the musical talents of their Great Grandmama and Baba.
Sarah bought Papa a checkers game for Christmas from school at the Secret Santa Shop. She was excited about playing a game with her Papa.
We had a fabulous Christmas celebration with my parents in Evans. I am thankful for their love and generosity to my family!

Baking In Session - Be Cautious!

One thing I love about the Christmas season is baking with the girls. We had a couple projects to do this season, so we started with Gingerbread Men Cookie Pops. Baba gave us the baking kit last year, so we saved it for some fun this year.



The girls had a fabulous time decorating their gingerbread men pops. I learned through past experience that they each need their own tray and their own bowls - much less mess and less fussing!
The next project was Nativity Cookies. I borrowed the cookie cutters from a sweet friend - thank you Laura S. I have a new item on my wish list: Nativity Scene Cookie Cutter Set.
I have also learned through past experience that I am a Semi-Homemade kind of woman as opposed to a Martha Stewart woman. My Grandmama, MamaCain, and Mother would probably be appalled. They made/make their way around the kitchen seem completely seamless. However, I find that using something already prepared helps make the whole process easier, especially when little ones are involved in the "fun."
My semi-homemade portion in this was my store bought cookie dough. Yes, I used Pillsbury sugar and peanut butter cookie dough. The girls had a blast rolling out the dough and playing in the flour.
Although, their favorite part was using the cookie cutters. Sarah, of course had to bring out more cookie cutters. She is my little creative and imaginative child. She always has a craft project in mind and is always creating something unique to her style. Love it! Hannah is crafty in her own little way; however, her craftiness will develop more in time - she's only 2 years old.
All in all, the three of us had a splendid afternoon baking in the kitchen preparing for Jesus' birthday. We enjoyed lots of delicious nativity cookies and gingerbread men pops!

Celebration of Life

Mark, Sarah, Hannah, and myself traveled to Mobile, AL fall of 2009 to celebrate Mark's Grandmother's 90th birthday - hence the 10 extra pounds I am toting around.
We were thrilled to be able to celebrate the life of Corine Ellis Weaver.
She recently passed away Sunday, Decemeber 11 of this year. She was a sibling of nine children, and she went on to give life to seven of her own children. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
I thought it would be fun to reminisce with old photos of Grandmother with the girls.
Sarah was 3 years old, and Hannah was only 4 months old.
Grammy says Grandmother loved holding babies!
Mark was thrilled to be able to share his girls with his Grandmother.



So this was the last time we saw Grandmother on her 90th birthday! She lived a wonderful long life of 92 years. I am so thankful the girls were able to meet her even though they were itty-bitty.

The morning we were leaving for Mobile to celebrate the life of Grandmother and the new life she has in heaven, we went to Sarah's school for her Christmas program. Grammy and Grandpa were able to join us before they headed to Mobile, as well.
Sarah played the part of a beautiful angel. She and her class sang several Christmas songs, and she new all of them. She is still running around the house singing the Christmas songs.
We were grateful to have Grammy and Grandpa come join us for the Christmas festivities.
The was the most fun we had and the most odd thing we have done in a while. We had to head back to Mark's office for him to do a few things before we headed out of town. Well, we had switched keys and were in the van so the office keys were actually - at home. Therefore, we decided to have a picnic in the parking lot. Yes, that is a potty behind Sarah. We came prepared for the long 6 hour drive and 2 1/2 year old potty trainer. We heard the lawn maintenance guys coming with the leaf blower, so we had to quickly clean up our picnic before we were blown away.
We made it to Mobile, AL Thursday evening in time for dinner. We were grateful to be able to stay at Mark's Grandmother's house with Mark's Aunt Cheri.
I took the time to take a few photos of the girls before we headed off to the funeral. They were looking very "Christmasy".
Big sister picking up little Hannah!


This is our family Christmas photo at Mark's Uncle Paul and Aunt Romona's house. They have a beautiful house and it was fabulously decorated for Christmas. I love the front door, front porch, and long steps leading up to the house. We'll just pretend this photo was taken at our house!!!
After this photo was taken, we jumped in the van and started for the journey home. We left at
6:45 p.m. and made it home at 1:30 a.m. The first 3 hours took forever it seemed with all of the potty stops we had to make. Thankfully, bedtime came and then it was smooth sailing the rest of the way. I look forward to the girls looking back at this photo album when they are grown to remember their great grandmother and the amazing woman she was to so many people in her life.
Wishing all of our family and friends a very Merry Christmas celebrating the birth of Jesus with your loved ones!