Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was celebrated at the Farr House this year. We had a great time with loads of snacks, followed by a round of gingerbread cookie decorating. We even managed to pose for some family photos, which almost never happens. Lots of fun before heading home to put out the aforementioned cookie for Santa, read The Night Before Christmas, and then tuck Emily into bed. The highlight of the evening was watching a video email that Santa sent to Emily. She was so astonished that he would take the time to email her personally (including actual photos from our year!) that she wrote him a note to leave with her cookie to say thanks. Now hurry off to sleep so that he can come and leave the presents!

Technically speaking, this photo was not from Christmas Eve. It was Polar Express Day at school. But the picture was too cute not to share and I was too lazy to create another blog post. Did you catch that she's wearing polar bear pajamas and carrying a polar bear on polar express day? Totally her idea. She will probably grow up to carry a purse that matches her shoes.

Cool eraser sets from me and Donald. What is it about little kids loving little things?

Continuing the little theme...Little American Girls from Cici and Granddaddy!

All of her new friends, plus Abby's Julie

Matching Christmas PJs are a tradition

Cookie decorating time!

She decorated her cookie to look like Santa. She's thoughtful that way.

Finished products!

Mimi will not appreciate that I posted a picture of her. But it was a good one, so I thought I had to do it.

I am impressed by their gingerbread house.

Always fun to have Aunt Liz join us!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Snow!

Well, actually it was what passes for snow in Georgia. It's been so incredibly cold this weekend that we - and I'm not ashamed to admit it! - laid around in our pajamas in front of the fire on Sunday until about 5:00. Who wants to go out? It would take too many layers to stay comfortable in all that wind. Emily broke free for a moment when she noticed the flakes falling outside and had to rush outside to try and catch a few. Too bad they didn't linger longer!

Santa at Rhodes Hall

Donald, Emily, and I went to see Granddaddy Don at Rhodes Hall this week. We met up with Uncle David and Cici, had some photos with Santa Don, did some crafts, and then headed out for dinner at Ted's. Their pickles are my favorite! Rhodes Hall is so gorgeous - I can't believe that an actual family once lived there! So far, all Emily will say that she wants for Christmas is a stuffed turtle. She has relayed that to Santa at Callaway, Santa Don, and now we're going to write a letter. I sure hope that the big guy is listening!

She loves a good brooch - just like Mommy!

Fantasy of Lights!

Donald and I took the girls to see the Fantasy in Lights at Callaway last week. Lots of fun, but extremely cold! We packed all manner of snacks and let them watch The Santa Clause (an oldie but a goodie) on the way down. They had a great time seeing the lights and meeting all the characters in the Christmas village. They enjoyed Santa but I think their favorite was the giant "numbcracker." So many possible jokes there! Merry Christmas to all of you!

Heading off!

Goofing around as we wait for our tickets to be called.

Scariest light display ever.

It's so much more fun when you wrap up in a blanket and hang your head out the window like a dog. At one point, Emily was shouting, "It's like we're in twinkle-land!"

Very snuggly gingerbread man.

That's not lipstick - it's candy cane residue.

Emily took this one. Fabulous photographer!

Getting sleepy - you can tell by the eyes.

Took three tries to get this picture.

There he is!

Not sure what the faces are all about -

The Nativity on the beach was beautiful; however, I thought I was going to lose the tips of my fingers to the cold.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Cats

I caught our boys snuggling in their favorite spot on the landing a few days ago and had to snap a few photos with the Christmas lights in the background. They look awfully sweet lying curled up amid the extension cords; however, in the back of my mind I can hear Uncle Eddie saying, "Hmmm....smells like fried pussycat."

Jingle Bell Trail

My school hosted its annual 5K fun run this December and it was a big one! Over 750 runners showed up to jingle down the trail with us on a very cold morning. Emily and Donald were there to represent the White House - inside the warm library with the rest of the race bag volunteers! We left the race for a huge breakfast at J. Christopher's and then headed home for a three hour nap. Seriously. I must be getting ready for hibernation or something!

Autumn Leaves

While doing a little yard work to get ready for the Thanksgiving festivities, we ended up having an impromptu photo session with Emily. She loves to dive in the massive leaf piles generated by the trees in our front yard. Lots of fun!

Beautiful beautiful Japanese Maple in our backyard

We've enjoyed having a fire at night during this cold weather! Plus, it makes for a cool photograph.

Diving in!

You won't hear me say this often, but she looks like me in this photograph.

Woohoo!

It's shocking to me how big she looks here!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving at the White House! We attempted to cook a turkey for the very first time and, despite circling cats and lots of nervousness, Mr. Turkey came out looking beautifully browned and delicious! I'm thankful to say that Tom didn't split open and dry out like the bird in Christmas Vacation. Thank goodness for the digital thermometer! What a great day - hope yours was equally full of food and family! Did he think we would just set an extra place for him? Check out Emily's excellent turkey centerpiece in the background. That thing had about a million little pieces.
Hooray!

Emily gets roll duty now. I had to do it when I was her age, so I've passed the buck along to her.

A thousand yums for the homemade cranberry sauce!

Time to eat!

We watched a YouTube video to figure out how to carve it! Honebaked has always done it for us in the past.

Trying to figure out Granddady's new iPad.

My contribution - an orange marmalade cake. I dirtied every dish in the place to make this cake but it was worth it!

Yummy cupcakes

Emily's getting the tired eyes.

Again with the iPad

Trying to beat Uncle David at the Wii