Christmas 2013 -- The Condensed Version

Pretend this is read like the fine print at the end of auto sales commercial  . . . nospacesnobreathsandsuperfast!

Little Girls Baking Club - Princess Sparkle tied for 1st place!

Finally found some decorations for on top of the closet in the entryway.  LOVE IT!

Celebrated Christmas with a friend that knitted each child their very own hat.

Got to spend time celebrating Christmas with this cutie pa-tootie!

Oh, and the rest of mom's family . . .

but everything pretty much revolved around her . . .

until we found out she is going to be a BIG SISTER!  Congrats, Aunt Mel & Uncle Josh!

The ornament I made for the sibling ornament exchange -- shrunken chip mobile for Jon,

The ornament I received from Steve.  (We don't even try to come close to this skill level.  It would just make us look worse.  Whittled from a couple 2x4s. Hmph!)

The ornament the Knight received from Anna. (An awesome compliment to the ornament I received.)

Church Christmas program - Bud with his age group

Butterfly (far right) with her friends from Sunday School performing their part.

Nana (aka church secretary) being recognized for the amazing support she gives the church staff.

My Knight (aka church treasurer) being recognized for his exemplary work on the church finances.

Christmas Day - Round 1 with Nana & Pappy

Sparkle finally got her Vera Bradley purse & wallet.

Daddy getting a new winter coat.

Bud trying to drag off all his loot before the rest of the family came.

His bag was partially filled with this new tire pillow from Nana & Pappy and this ragtime quilt that Mommy made for his bed.

Christmas Day - Round 2 with the cousins (Daddy's side)
We decided to open gifts in two rounds -- kids then adults.  With 21 of us, the kids don't like to wait their turn anyway.

Round 3 with the adults - So much easier now that we do grab bag style.
Over-sized lap blanket and feet warmer I made for Aunt Pat.

Cousins hanging out in the "kid cave" playing their DSs while the adults hung out and talked.

Sparkle and Daddy working on her new 3D puzzle.

Tada!

Above average temps gave Bud the opportunity to drive around his new orange 'maro!  (He wanted me to take a picture of the front of the car, then her turned it around and told me to take a picture of the back too.)  Love that kid.

Happy Birthday Baby Girl (and Baby Brother)!

I didn't forget Butterfly's birthday.  It's just been too crazy to post on time because of another upcoming event.  She was definitely celebrated on time!

Cupcakes for her Sunday School class

Chocolate Ombre Rose cake

Daddy teased her friends they had to eat worms for lunch.  He went so far as to dig up worms in the rain. Glad they thought it was funny.  We had her favorites -- pizza, chips/cheese balls, and fresh veggies and grapes.

The girls had a fun time goofing around . . .

 . . . and playing with dolls in the toy room.

She opened gifts quickly before heading back to church.

Thrilled with her new 3DS from mom & dad, Nana & Pappy, Grandma & Papaw and Uncle Josh & Aunt Mel.

 On her birthday, we went to Chuck E. Cheese after piano lessons.  (Trust me.  This is a HUGE deal as it takes a big reason for mommy to willingly go there.  It's nice to go just as school is letting out locally.  Hardly anyone else there!)

Sparkle got the bonus -- over 130 tickets!

Bud sat at this game for a long time.  He'd come get more tokens and play it again. (It was driving a ski mobile type game.)  He just kept saying, "This is awesome!  This is awesome!

We sang Happy Birthday again to her on her birthday.

Since it's a monumental birthday, I can't forget to mention my baby brother's birthday as well.  I love that Butterfly and Uncle Jon share a birthday.

I guess there's always a special place in your heart for your youngest sibling -- especially since I used to be a little momma to him when he was a baby.  I'm very proud of what he has grown up to be and all that he has worked hard to accomplish.  Actually, I'm a tad jealous of all the extra-curricular things he's been able to do.  (See a few of them below.) Ah, the single life!  Love you, Jon!  Glad your 30th was a special one for you.  Happy Birthday!

November 18th Birthday People!

I've always thought it was neat when family members have the same birthday.  I even know two siblings with the same birthday -- what are the chances?!?  I guess they did have five kids, so the possibility was higher.  But I digress.

Our precious Princess Butterfly and her Uncle Jon share a birthday.  The more birthdays those two have, the older I feel.  Jon's the baby in our family, and he's nearing 30!  Butterfly is our middle child, and she turns 8 today!

We love them both dearly and want to wish them a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

Pictured L to R: Jonathan, Melanie, myself, Stephen
(May 2010)