Christmas 2011

We had such a fun, relaxing Christmas Day! Violet woke up bright and early to see what Santa brought her;), but McCoy took a little longer. Daddy was too excited to wait so he woke McCoy up around 6:45! We're early risers around here;).
The first thing McCoy went to was his Thomas trains and immediately wanted to go in his room and put them on his train table! Once he came back, we opened presents and McCoy wanted to open everybody's and then deliver after it was opened. Nobody seemed to mind though;).
Violet loved all of her toys, especially her Jeep walker and the picnic basket McCoy got her! I think she's really excited that we finally have some pink toys in the house...or maybe that's just me;).
It was a gorgeous day!! McCoy played with his trains and new LeapPad. He also got to ride his bike in the driveway, which he loved! We had a late lunch and just spent time hanging out together. I might have even played a few games on McCoy's LeapPad;). It was the perfect day and the kids had a great time, which was most important to Kirk and me. Definitely a successful 1st Christmas for Violet:)!!!

Santa came!

Loving her Jeep!

Waiting patiently for his new r/c car

Checking out his bike

Pop and Gigi

Opening her present from McCoy;)

She loves it!!

New hat!

The boys tradition:fry turkey and watch tv:)

Pop checking on the turkey

Nanny loving on Violet

Love these babies!!!

Baby's First Christmas!

Happy boy on his bike:)!!!

Nobody can make her laugh like her brother!!!

Christmas Eve 2011

We hosted Christmas at our house this year and were so happy that some of our family was able to come and celebrate with us!!
On Christmas Eve, we went to the service at our church, which was wonderful. I love the candlelight service and there was also a special moment for the children to come up and listen to our Pastor read the Christmas story. I was a little nervous about how both kids would do during the service, but they did amazing! Violet just looked around and smiled at people the whole time and McCoy was perfect! He loved the music and of course, getting to hold a candle;).
After the service we came back to our house for our traditional chili, sandwiches (yummy ham sandwiches that we bake in the oven;), and dessert! Gigi and Pop, Aunt Sara, ReeRee, Nanny, and Uncle Kyle and Aunt Jessica were all here!! So fun!! We had such a great time visiting and celebrating Jesus' birthday!!

Merry Christmas Eve!!

Sweet baby girl:)

ReeRee, Aunt Jessica, Gigi

Happy Birthday, Jesus!!

Thanks for my present Uncle K and Aunt J!!

Cookies for Santa

Lights on the Square

On the Wednesday before Christmas, we FINALLY made a trip to the square to go see the lights! We were so excited that Gigi was in town and able to come with us. Every year I am amazed at how amazing the lights are, but I think this year, they were the best ever!! Absolutely gorgeous!!! We tried to talk McCoy into taking a pony ride or camel ride but he was not into it this year;). Maybe next year!!

Preschool Christmas Party

This morning McCoy had his school Christmas party. They decorated Santas, ate cupcakes and played lots of fun games!! I think all the kids had a blast and McCoy might have been a little wired from his cupcake;). Something funny that we noticed, the boys all sit at one table and the girls at another. His teacher said they just do that on their own and sometimes she makes them switch around. Too funny!

McCoy and Cyler

Violet loved watching all the kids play:)

Playing "Santa Says"

Freeze Dance!

Tired kiddos! Ms. Luann reading them a story:)

Baby Brunch

Saturday morning, a fun group of my Fayetteville girls got together at Emelia's for a yummy brunch!! We were all there to celebrate my friend Lauren and her baby girl, Lyla, who will be here in February. We had so much fun visiting, eating delicious food, and drinking mimosas! Lyla got so many cute things!! We all had such a great time visiting and catching up. Love these girls!!
We can't wait to meet you Lyla Danielle:)!!

Lauren looks fabulous!!

Such fun girls!

Lauren and the grandmothers:)

Happy Birthday Cyler!!

On Saturday morning, we went to a birthday party to celebrate McCoy's friend, Cyler! It was so much fun!! McCoy loved painting a train, decorating an ornament, and decorating (mainly eating) sugar cookies. Santa also came to the party and McCoy was so excited!! He has never wanted to sit on Santa's lap, but he was really wanting to talk to Santa and give him his list. So, he happily sat on Santa's lap and even gave him a hug!! We were so excited! We had such a fun time! Happy Birthday Cyler!!!

Decorating his letter to Santa

Ho Ho Ho!!!

Birthday boy talking to Santa

McCoy's turn!

Best we could do with a group pic:)

Hugs for Santa!!

Toy Soldier

On Friday night, McCoy had his first ever Christmas program at his preschool! The boys in his class were toy soldiers and the girls were dancing dolls:). In the weeks leading up to the program, McCoy had been singing lots of the songs but wouldn't really tell me much about it. I also wondered how he would act when he came on stage and saw all those people there watching them.
McCoy was the 3rd boy to walk out with his group and as soon as saw everyone he stopped. He was NOT going out there with everyone watching him! So several of the other boys went around him and he finally made his way out. Mama was relieved!!! He did a great job singing the songs and even yelled out a few of the words;). When his group moved back to the risers to let the girls come out, he decided he was not standing next to the person he was supposed to, so he started making his way down the line. We were laughing so hard!!! He got one person away from Jack and the little boy did not want McCoy to get past him. So, they start pushing each other (gently)... I am completely cringing and wondering if I'm going to have to go up on stage to stop him. Finally a teacher notices and stops it. Whew, crisis averted!!! The rest of it went off perfectly;)!!! McCoy had so much fun and we loved it, even if McCoy was "that kid":)! We will definitely never forget his first Christmas program!!

Violet waiting for the show:)

Toy soldiers!

Dancing dolls!

Love his face in this one! Right after the teacher broke up his little tussle:)

Merry Christmas!!!

Taking a sleigh ride

McCoy and his bestie, Cyler

Calling Santa

On Friday, a friend sent me a number you can call and talk to Santa! I knew that McCoy would LOVE this. So when I picked him up from school, I let him call Santa. He was so excited!! Santa is really busy, so we got his voicemail;). But McCoy made sure to leave him a message and tell him that he has been a good boy and let Santa know what he wants for Christmas. In fact, Santa will probably get several messages from McCoy because he wanted to call him over and over!! I had to capture the smile on McCoy's face because he was so excited!! It is definitely the little things that make me so happy and my sweet boy's face during this phone call was one of them:)!

Update on Phil

Phil has been staying busy at the Miller house! One morning we woke up and he was taking a "bubble bath", or so I thought. McCoy informed me that Phil was eating and could he please have a marshmallow;). So much for my creativity!!!

We've also found him eating cereal bars in the pantry. Cereal bars are McCoy's favorite snack, but he was perfectly fine with sharing! I think he's hoping Phil will report that back to Santa;)...