Going Private

I've decided to go private with my blog. If you want to still be able to read about our family, please post a comment with your name and email address. If you read our blog frequently and don't know us personally, please tell me how you found us or what connection you might have to us. Thanks!

Lunch with Friends

For about the last 12 years (I actually gasped when I typed that!), my best friends from high school and I have gotten together for a Christmas party. At first we went to someone's house to have the party and exchange gifts. It was just the five of us, but we always had a huge spread of food and had a fabulous time together. The last few years, we haven't all been able to get together because we all have husbands, some have children (all girls), and some live too far away. This year we just met for lunch at Pizza Grocery, and it was the first year we included husbands and babies. We missed Emily, but Anna Hayes and Blaire, Katie and Ellie Kate, and Carmen, and I along with Lindsay and Gracie had such a fun time. Tanner and Ryan were there too (wouldn't want to leave them out!). I wanted to put up a picture from one of our first Christmas parties, but I couldn't put my hands on one quickly. Maybe I'll add it on one day.

Right before Christmas, we took the girls to the mall to see Santa. Lindsay had already visited him once, but we wanted Gracie to sit on his lap too. Neither one of my girls is a big fan of Santa, the actual person. They'll talk about him all day long with much fondness, but when it comes to actually touching him they change their tune pretty quickly. Gracie has even started saying, "No, ho, ho," everytime she sees him. Anyway, I built up our big trip to see Santa all day. Gracie was excited and Lindsay was going to be brave when we got there to set a good example for Gracie. I think the pictures tell the whole story. We came home with the photo of the three of us with Santa. I was proud that Lindsay sat and talked with him for a little while though.

Something to Brighten Your Day!

Gracie had pigtails for the first time. This sweet face just makes me smile!

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!