The Tale of Christmas...

December was a very busy month for us (and it's still not over!)

The Thursday before Christmas we went to the Cow's Christmas Party at Chick-fil-A. There were two cows and one was dressed like Santa. The "real" Santa was there too - he gave Hannah a candy cane and she was very disappointed. She doesn't like candy canes and said that Santa should have given her "chocolate instead." She played pin the Star on the Tree and had a big piece of Christmas cake. When we first got there I entered her in a drawing to win a huge Chick-fil-A Cow Pez Dispenser. I was just telling Bobby when they started the drawing that Hannah never wins anything - and they called out her name!! This dispenser is huge!! It holds like 8 packs of Pez.

The next day we went to Bobby's departments Christmas party. It was at Wingin' It in downtown Clemson. We had so much fun. We ate tons of food and Hannah was constantly wanting to go to the bathroom b/c one of the walls was a chalkboard and they had a huge bucket of chalk. She and Samuel also got an early Christmas present from June: Samuel got a stuffed cow (complete with udders) that sings 'Old MacDonald - With a Moo Moo here...) and Hannah got a Spongebob coloring book, crayons and a Spongebob umbrella. Even though it wasn't raining when we left the party she walked all the way to the car with her umbrella open!

The Monday before Christmas we had a "party" during our Monday Night Bowling League. Everyone brought finger foods but there was a ton of food! We brought Hannah with us b/c we thought another little girl was coming. Anyway, Hannah didn't eat any supper and completely filled up on snack foods - chocolate covered Bugles, a brownie with caramel in the middle, cinnamon squares with cream cheese icing and half a can of Mountain Dew. I know, I'm an excellent mother ;>) (Hey, it's the holidays and sometimes you just relax and let them eat what they want.) She was so hyper that evening - she talked non -stop and ran all over the bowling alley. On the way home she decided she was going to spend the night with my parents. I tried to warn my mom that Hannah had nothing but sugar that evening but she still said yes. The next day she called and asked me what we'd given Hannah because she had talked until mid-night. My mom would doze off and Hannah would say, "Not yet Granny. I'm not sleepy...." Now my parents know how we feel when she comes home from their house - maybe next time they'll think twice about giving her Little Debbie Cakes and Cream Soda!!

Our internet was out for a while so I also missed Sammy's 11 month update. He's standing by himself and will walk if we hold his hands or if he's got a push toy. He says "Yeah" "Mmmm" (for Moo) and "Papa". He loves to read books and can turn the pages if I help him a little. When we're bowling on Monday's he and Hannah stay with my parents. When he's tired and done playing he'll crawl over to my Dad and reach for him to pick him up. We'll home & my dad is sitting in his recliner holding Sammy - who's generally sleeping. It's too sweet. He's growing like a weed and gets more gorgeous every day!!

As for Christmas, Bob & Tommy spent Christmas Eve with us. We watched movies and baked cookies (not for Santa!). Christmas morning my family came to our house and we made a big breakfast for everyone - this is a family tradition. We rotate houses each year. There were presents galore and we just about drowned in wrapping paper and boxes. Hannah got: Ratatouille, a Little Einstein movie, a beautiful dress-coat-and scarf set from Emily, a McDonald's cash register set, some bubblegum scented body wash/shampoo/bubble bath, two Spongebob books, a Spongebob sleeping bag, a set of stuffed animals from Madagascar 2, and of course her trampoline. Samuel got: a set of huge lego-blocks, a Baby Einstein movie, two different little piano sets, a cute 'First Christmas' sleeper, a Wal-Mart gift card, some snacks and a guitar (from Papa Jordan of course!) They both had a blast and love playing with each others toys. Last night Hannah got out her guitar and Samuel was playing with his - they were both just sitting there strumming away. I have a video I'll post soon. And as soon as Bobby's phone learns to cooperate with me I'll post some pictures of all of these events.

Now we're preparing for Hannah's 3rd birthday....