Gifts from Thailand

My dad recently went on a Mission Trip to Thailand with my parents' church. When he returned, he brought these cute dresses for his four granddaughters. Kate and Sadie are always so sweet to Lindsay, and on this day they taught Lindsay how to hula. She was too funny! Gracie didn't want to put her dress on at first, but we couldn't get it on her fast enough once she saw the big girls wearing theirs.

Hopkins Christmas

We had Tanner's family to our house for Christmas this year. We had to celebrate a little early because his sister and her family were going to her inlaws this year. We were all excited to have them over to our new house. The girls had such a great time with their cousin Will and their Nana and Pops.

Christmas Time is Here!

I have finally updated the blog with all of our Christmas merry-making. I made several posts so be sure to keep scrolling down. Also, blogger is not posting my pictures in order. I don't know what's going on with that. Merry Christmas!!

Pancakes, Parades, and Gingerbread Houses

Saturday, we had a very busy morning. First we attended the Kiwansis Pancake Breakfast which was delicious. Then we walked to Main Street to watch the Christmas Parade with our friends the Wises. It was so cold, but we managed to keep warm. Lindsay and Gracie enjoyed watching the parade come by. Then we walked to the BancorpSouth Center to make gingerbread houses. I think Leigh Ann and I did more decorating than Lindsay and Charlotte though. Gracie walked around trying to pick up candy that people had dropped. It was such a fun Christmas-y morning!

Visiting Santa

On Thursday, Gracie and I joined Lindsay's preschool class on a trip to the mall to see Santa. Everyone had a fun morning! Lindsay was a little scared of Santa at first but she finally warmed up to him after the rest of her class sat on his knee. Gracie would not go anywhere near him. After seeing Santa, we ate at Chickfila and played at the playground.

Special Ornaments

Every year, Tanner and I let the girls open one gift when we decorate the tree, and it's always a new ornament to hang. This year Lindsay got a ballerina because she started ballet lessons this year. Gracie got an ornament with Pooh and Piglet that talks. Lindsay couldn't wait to hang hers, but Gracie's is still not on the tree! She carries it around all the time listening to Pooh and Piglet discuss the stars in the sky. Hopefully, we can hang it before Santa arrives!

The Elves are Here!!!

Last year, we wrote Santa a letter asking him to send us elves to stay with us the month of December. Candie and Elissa arrived December 1st and stayed until Santa picked them up on Christmas Eve to return them to the North Pole. They have joined us this year too! They are very mischievous elves that get into all kinds of trouble at night. Sometimes they even bring gifts! Lindsay is absolutely LOVING this! The first thing she tells me every morning is where the elves are. She gets a big kick out of the whole thing.

Decorating the Tree

We've had our tree up a little over a week. Both girls helped decorate. Lindsay was really into it this year, but she still needs a little practice with ornament placement. She had one limb on the tree covered with about 15 ornaments! Gracie did much better than I expected. She was very cooperative throughout the entire decorating process. We have about five ornaments at the bottom of the tree that the girls can move around as much as they want so that has helped them leave the rest alone. Gracie says "tree" all day and even gives it hugs sometimes. The last pictures are of the girls putting the angel on top of the tree (a tradition carried over from my upbringing...my parents have a picture of my dad lifting me up every year to do it).

The Cutest Pilgrim You'll Ever See (or Hear)

Yesterday was Lindsay's stage debut. She was in a little Thanksgiving program at her preschool. The three-year-olds were pilgrims and sang three songs. Lindsay has been looking forward to her program for weeks. Several of the teachers had told me in passing that I certainly had a little songbird on my hands, and they weren't exaggerating! Lindsay could be heard throughout the entire performance. She was loud, but she was on pitch the whole time. Tanner and I were so proud of her!
Here are all the three-year-olds...Lindsay is in the middle of the top row

Family Shot

Lindsay with her friends Charlotte and Maguire

Autumn Leaves

Last Sunday afternoon, Lindsay helped Tanner rake some leaves in our backyard. She had been wanting to make a pile to jump in. She was so cute raking and singing her "I Say I Like Autumn" song. She had a great time playing with Daddy!