Christmas!

Christmas came and went way to fast for the Jordan household!  We enjoyed a spectacular Christmas program at Church that portrayed from the Angel visiting Mary to the wise men visiting baby Jesus.   It was phenomenal!!  The sets were truly amazing as were the costumes.  The only thing better was the message!!!   I was on  the Christmas Party Committee at work (co-chair which means I am heading up the committee next year...).  We had a great party for employees after work on Friday the 17th.   The kids had their parties at school the same day and  then we went to the Karate party as a family.  We  definitely had a good time everywhere we went!  The next week was a gathering of our Sunday School class.  It was a nice night out with free nursery for the kiddos!  The 23rd we went to Cullman so that we could go to Christmas Eve breakfast at David's Grandmother's house in Logan.  We had great food, great fellowship and great fun!!  IT was a short visit as we had to return home for Santa to arrive. 

Our tree Christmas Eve.  Austin Kieff made the angel on top.

Santa came!

Please note, this motorcycle has no remote control!

(for anyone remembering the ordeal last Christmas!!)

I cannot help but think of sugarplums dancing  in their heads...

Christmas morning...this little boy was VERY excited!  In fact,

he did not want to open a single present after he saw the motorcycle.

Both kids love the gumball machine at "the Mexican place,"

so Santa brought them one for home!

Told you he was excited!

Thank you Bubba!!

Chef Caroline

We stopped at the top of Grandmomma and Papa's driveway

so that Austin Kieff could ride his motorcycle up to their

front door!

More presents at Grandmomma and Papa's!  Santa

even left a few here, too!

Caroline's new baby whose eyes open and close!

We left Grandmomma's and Papa's  and returned home for quick showers.  We left for Pensacola as is tradition in our family.  Almost everyone was there this year!   Spencer and Alison even made it from Texas!!  Mike was able to visit, too.  Uncle MT, Aunt Ann and Marty came as did Uncle Stewart and Aunt Sandra.   Of course Nanny was there!!   My parents missed the trip this time as did Aunt Loke and Uncle Tate from Tuscaloosa.  We had a wonderful time with  more wonderful food!!

Marty, Austin Kieff, David and Caroline

Nanny

Austin Kieff, Amen and Bella

We came back home the day after Christmas to open presents  with Grady, Mary Margaret, Jacob and Lily.   We had even more fun and the kids had the best time.  I am still looking for pictures from this day...

We celebrate Christmas with David's family at New Year's.  This year we left on Thursday because I wanted to be home Sunday ( Monday was  the first day of overtime for us).  We had a great drive up and  made  our  customary stop in Alabaster.  It was nice to  arrive before 10:00!!  We went to bed early and had the most wonderful breakfast.  David's mom fixed homemade biscuits, bacon, sausage and eggs.  I think Austin Kieff ate more than he had in a month at that one meal!!   After breakfast, everyone went outside to  enjoy  the beautiful weather.

Caroline and Ella Grace

These girls LOVE each other!!

We do not make a trip to Grandmother  and Granddaddy's

without playing a little football.

Granddaddy and Major

Caroline and Ella Grace

Who do you think won?

Major, Granddaddy and Grandmother (making calls to  let

everyone  know her kids were home and to come visit!)

Caroline and Ella Grace

L-R

Ella Grace, Jeremy, Grandmother, Granddaddy,

Major, David, Caroline and Austin Kieff

Jeremy giving Lindsey a spin!  Jeremy has been in Maryland for

quite some time.  I know his family was  SO VERY GLAD to have

him home for the  holidays. 

Caroline had to have a turn on the motorcycle.

Hunter, Austin Kieff and David

More football

No, Caroline was not supposed to have the shirt on...

The outfit actually was an winter white sweater  dress with

a pair of adorable snowmen tights...but, Ella Grace gave her

several things she had outgrown and Caroline LOVES wearing

hand-me-downs from her cousins.  Caroline and Major had their

own game of football.

Caroline and Aunt Judy

Do you  think Austin Kieff made the tackle or jumped on him

after he was already down?  Isn't there a penalty  for that?

Granddaddy and his girls

Major is too cute and so very sweet!  He also doesn't

mind having his picture taken (see  shots below)

After some time playing and a  quick trip to town it was time for another Christmas Dinner!  The food was great and afterwards it was time to open presents!!

Uncle Chris received a giant bucket of bubble gum from

Ella Grace and Major.  He is well known for supplying gum to

all  the nieces and nephews.

Caroline or should I say  Snow White!

After presents we had fun decorating cookies.  All the kids enjoyed eating decorating...





Saturday was game day and time to go home.  It is always sad  saying goodbye but also nice to get home.  We went to church Sunday  morning.  We have new Sunday School teachers and are looking forward to the  new year and class material.  Austin Kieff asked  to go to "big Church."  He did pretty good. 

Thanksgiving

I know I am late posting about Thanksgiving, but I thought I would post pictures none the less!!  We went to Pensacola for Thanksgiving this year and spent the day (David, the kids and I) and the weekend (the kids and I).  It was a wonderful time with family.

Family gathered at the Braithwaite House as is our custom.  For several years it served as the Boyd residence with Nanny and Pa staying there while Bob and Susie were  in New Orleans.  Aunt Susie is back  in the Braithwaite House now and with Pa having passed Nanny has moved to the Penton House on Ten Mile Road.   Holidays aren't quite the same, but the location and hospitality cannot be beat!! 

The Braithwaites (Uncle Bob (from NOLA), Aunt Sue (Pensacola) and Mike (Pensacola)) were present.  Spencer and Alison were unable to make it over from Houston.  The Pentons (Uncle MT and Aunt Ann (fondly referred to as Amen by the kiddos) were there from Seminole.  Unfortunately Marty was sick and unable to attend.  The Lamberts (Grandmomma and Papa) were there from Jack.  John Wayne was working as is usual of late.  The Williams (Grady, Mary Margaret, Jacob and Lily) made the drive from Auburn.  The Jordans (David, Laura, Austin Kieff, Caroline and Sally) made the drive from Jack as well.  We missed Uncle Stewart and Aunt Sandra from Orange Beach who just happened to be in Birmingham with family waiting for the Iron Bowl which was on Black Friday in Tuscaloosa (we Bama fans didn't know how black it was going to be...or I guess I should say Blue/Orange, ha!).

If there is one thing we all can do, its eat!!  From turkey to pink stuff, we LOVE it all, ha!  It is always so nice to gather with family.  The men generally graduate down to the Florida room.  Most of the sisters and Nanny stay around the kitchen/dining room unless they  move out onto the deck.  The nieces and  nephews (including the greats) generally sit in the living room or move out with the sisters on the deck.  At some point, almost everyone ends up down at the water.  Here are a few pictures from Thanksgiving Day:

Austin Kieff has one of the most vivid imaginations of

any toddler I have ever been around.  He not only enjoys

dressing up in various costumes, but also creates some of

the most elaborate stories I have ever heard.  You never know

who he is going to be or what he is about to do or have

just done...

Austin Kieff and Jacob

Caroline and Lily

Amen and Caroline

Pretty arrangement

Caroline, Austin Kieff (Ironman, Jacob (Spiderman)

and Lily (Wolverine)

Caroline outside

Lily and Austin Kieff...go ahead and sing it moms of preschoolers...

"Down by the bay, Down by the bay

Where the Watermelons grow..."

Lily, Austin Kieff and Jacob playing in the water

Caroline had to join the fun...the diaper didn't last long

Lily and Austin Kieff

Caroline didn't care for the sand too much

Isn't Lily beautiful?

Austin Kieff and Jacob lost their clothes, too

All the Cousins

Mom and Caroline (I was playing around with photoshop)

The Sisters and Nanny

Aunt Ann, Mom, Nanny and Aunt Sue

Big Day

Austin Kieff just went back to surgery and he did really well until he was out of the room. Then he started telling them not yet, not yet, not yet...he wanted to wait for Dr. McQueen so he could pray with him. I am not sure his nurse understood. Boy do I love that little boy!!!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

2011 Siesta Scripture Memory Team Verse 1

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

1 Samuel 16:7 NASB


Journal entry:

Caroline received Sweetpea Beauty for Christmas which focuses on inner beauty. In addition she received adorable Disney princess dress-up clothes.

My brother-in-law commented to my niece when she was dressing up like Cinderella, that she was more beautiful than any princess. How right he is. I hope our daughters never doubt their beauty and that we as parents do our part on helping them develop their inner beauty.

I already see a strong desire to help others in my niece. Caroline has a helping nature and a loving heart. I hope she continues to develop the characteristics of a virtuous woman.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Santa, Third Day, New Dress, Choir and Advent

The kiddos enjoyed (well enjoyed may be stretching the truth) a visit with Santa in Dothan last Friday. Austin Kieff did a great job waiting in line. Caroline made it to Santa but did not want to sit with him. Austin Kieff told Santa exactly what he wanted. He even made certain he received an extra reindeer hat for Caroline. Caroline cried for Mommy and Daddy.

After the Santa visit we went to Chik-fil-a for a yummy supper and of course a little play time. We LOVE going there :-). After supper was a quick trip to Lifeway so that I could finish up Caroline's Christmas shopping.

Saturday was super busy. The kids and I cooked breakfast while David went to Brundidge to buy pipe for a side job. After breakfast David went to work while the kids and I cleaned a life before going to the office (a visit that took much longer than expected). The kids did great while I worked and were rewarded with a brief visit to the park. Brief because we had a concert to get to!

I should mention that both kiddos sported their orange and blue and cheered on the Tigers in the SEC championship game!!

Third Day was awesome! We all had a great time. I will post some pictures from my camera in a separate post later. Austin Kieff wants to be a drummer now! I am not sure his drum sticks will last much longer, though!!

Sunday Caroline wore her Christmas dress made by her very talented grandmother. We enjoyed a family lunch at Mr. Ho's after church. A few hours of rest and it was time to return. Austin Kieff had choir and we had Bible study except I confused the adult schedule and we toured the Christmas lights on church street instead!! Brrrrrr.

After church we attended an Advent Bible study at Covenant Grace. The study was great and two hours seemed like 20 minutes. Unfortunately we left a little after 9 and missed the end. It was a great study and the kids had a wonderful time playing with Pruitt and Tucker Vaughan.

Busy weekend followed by a busy week. I cannot believe it is December already!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5