Keegan/Kelsey/Stuffed Fowl Quote

Keegan, "Eat more chicken!"

Kelsey, speaking for her stuffed animal, "NOOooo! I'm a chicken!"

Keegan, "No, you're a turkey."

Kelsey, still being the stuffed bird, "I consider myself a rooster."

A little more Nutcracker

Some final Nutcracker pictures. Including the awesome friends and family that came to support Caitlyn.

Well, the ones that would let me take their pictures, anyway ;)

It just so happened that there was a school performance on a day we were keeping Brooklin, so she was the first guest. Along with Keegan, Kelsey, and me, of course :).

Additionally, this was pajama day for senior company's spirit week.

In case you wondered. 

 Brooklin, Keegan, and Kelsey checking out the trolleys outside before the show started.

 It's snowing!

 Yay! One of Kelsey's and Keegan's very best friends, Tyleah, came with her mom.  We were so glad to get to see them!

(This was ugly sweater day, but I don't think that sweater is bad. :)

 

Yay, again - Uncle Terry and Aunt Coleen

 

 One night I got to take some pictures from the wings.  This made me happy.

 It looked like a lot more snow up close than it did from the audience.

Sigh. Over until next year.

Boys versus Girls!

 

Keegan's basketball team had been scheduled to play in a Christmas tournament. It was cancelled, so the coach said he would try to set up a scrimmage. He was unable to make arrangements with a girls' team, however, so he did the next best thing. He set up a scrimmage with a boys' team.

 Hmmm, when it comes to tweens, that can be a bit awkward. Some of the girls were uneasy and initially held back from playing their hardest.

 Not Keegan. She played full out, as she always does. I love that about her.

 The boys' team was very good and it was a great learning experience for the girls. The boys were also great sports, not being too rough physically, even though they were larger and stronger.

 It ended up being an extremely fun and entertaining game. And long! :) A bit after 10, the coaches asked if everyone was ready to quit and go home.  Keegan was still chomping at the bit for more! 

Thankfully she was over-ruled, and we headed home to collapse into bed.

Except those of us who collapsed on the couch and got on the computer ;).

Christmas Eve...

...out of order, but, oh well, I was otherwise occuppied on Christmas Eve :D.

On the 24th day of December, our activity was SNOW! Although we had to be content with artificial since the weather didn't supply us with any of the real thing :). It actually feels cold when you touch it.

 Keegan and Kelsey added in some Squinkies.

  Along with an ice igloo, which made a perfect home for the Squinkies.

 

 

 To make the day pass more quickly, and inspired by my sil's nails the day before, they decided to do Christmas mani/pedis. There are some red and green striped nails there, if you can't tell :).

 Caitlyn had made herself this hat a while back but didn't think it suited her. Recently she passed it on to Kelse who is extremely fond of it and has been wearing it every day. I think she looks adorable in it, plus I love enjoying something Caitlyn made instead of it sitting in a box, unused.

 Kelse adding a last ornament (a Nutcracker she cross-stitched) to the tree before going to bed.

 A bit of excitement-induced silliness before bedtime.

Kelsey just could not stop giggling, she was so pumped..

 

 

  On the off chance you are not on FB, here is the view that caused me concern.

 I was afraid the trampoline (which entered the house in a box,) would not fit through the garage door assembled. It did, however, and was waiting in the back yard Christmas morning. I should add that the girls were funny when I told them to put on shoes and go with me outside. They did not believe my explanation that we were going for a walk, saying things like, "A walk? We have never taken a walk on Christmas day!" Me ,"It's a new tradition." Ha. We walked from the front door to the back yard :).

 A final look at the tree before bed. Boy, that looks like a lot of presents! ;)

Christmas Day!

Opening the stockings... This was after I cruelly told Kelsey and Keegan that they couldn't enter the living room until everyone was up. Well, that didn't take long.  I thought that Kelsey might burst though, she was so excited :).

Baloonies!

 Caitlyn opening the first present of the day! Whoever would have told the day's activity on the 25th gets to choose the first present to be opened (by someone else ;). It was Kelsey's day to tell the activity.  She chose this present for Caitlyn because she herself (Kelsey) had been trying to figure out what it was and thought it felt too light for the size of the box. It was a Hobby Lobby gift card, if you were wondering.

 

My awesomely cute new placemats made by my amazing daughter, Caitlyn!

 The cats were excessively excited.

These funny birds were a huge hit with Keegan and Kelsey. With all of us, in fact. You press a button, record a message, then throw it to somebody else. The force of the other person catching it starts a playback of the message.  But it plays back in a high-pitched, sped-up voice. It really is funny. Or maybe we're just easily amused. Whatever the reason, we have laughed a lot with these things.
Keegan recording...

 and listening to a message.

 Caitlyn with her cute and thoughtful pin cushion RABBIT, made by Kelsey.

 One more picture of the bird :).

The biggest surprise of all - a trampoline!

 We headed over to Mamaw's for lunch. Then Laura appeared with her exhausted and adorable daughter and new puppy. Smile.
No fears, both of them woke up in time to play before we left :).

 Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

Kelsey Quote

Kelsey,"Do I need to brush my hair?"
Me, "Before we go to Mamaw's you do."
Kelse, "AW. I thought I might get a Christmas freebie."

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Kelsey Quote

Kelsey, playing backgammon, with her man stuck on the bar, "Two, two. I need a two." Next turn, "C'mon, two.  Two." Next turn, "Two. Two. Two." Next turn, "I need a TWO. Two. Two." Next turn, "Dos. Dos." She rolls a two. "Ah, they're Spanish speaking dice."
<Smile>

On the 23rd day of Christmas...

...had our family Christmas celebration! To which I did not take my camera :(. But it was lots of fun, with good food, and a game of dirty Santa.

Keegan ended up with a pair of slippers that is supposed to clean the floor as you walk.  Haha, if they work, that will be a present for me!

Caitlyn got a pair of fuzzy pink slippers,

and Kelsey (wearing a hat knitted by Caitlyn) got a box of chocolates.

Mamaw seemed pleased with the birdhouse Kelsey made, Brooklin was cute and all was well with the world :).

Happy Christmas eve eve!

Kelsey Quote

"I can't believe how Christmas is sneaking up on us!"
Me, either.

On the 22nd day of Christmas...

...the activity was the Smoky Mountain Opry Christmas Show!

(Yea for half off depot and their extra 50% off sale! :)

With singing, dancing, a nativity

 

great costumes, juggling, comedy,

and live camels,

it was great!

 



 

3 days and counting!