Welcome stomach bug I mean Christmas day

Yep just as the title reads, welcome stomach bug. We woke up around 8:30 on Christmas Day and saw what Santa brought Tillie Ann. Wow, he did such a good job this year. She was so excited to get her new 4-wheeler. Can you tell?

(sorry for the poor quality, I was taking these with my camcorder)

Stylin' in her rain boots and winter wear. :)

Well, after presents were opened and we were getting ready to leave for my grandparents, Buddy exclaimed, "If I don't act myself today, my stomach is really hurting and has been all night."

We arrive at my grandparents and the news hits us. Pop I, Tommy, and Granny Ham have the same issues that Buddy is having. So needless to say it was a quiet Christmas. Oh yeah, might I add that there was a pregnant Holli at the event as well as, germs being carried back to a very pregnant Makenzi who would arrive on Sunday. Before the event's were all over everyone was feeling a little "under the weather." I think we all had a touch of it. Sometimes too much family time is not so good.

But while we were there we ate a little and opened gifts. Granny Ham and Daddy Jack gave Tillie Ann the most precious gift. It was Granny's jewelry box from when she graduated high school. It was filled with jewelry that was old and new for Tillie to play with. I think that this might have been her favorite gift of this Christmas. She carries it around everywhere saying "SEE".

Christmas Eve 2009

Today was a very busy day. We started the day with brunch with BB and Pop I. Can I say that I was a little disapointed when I heard the menu for this, but WOW BB out did her self this year. She had a spread of yummy treats. Just to name a few sasuage muffins, cinnimon buns that were made in a bunt cake pan, 2 breakfast casseroles, baked ham, and the best cream cheese squares I have ever had in my life. I could have eaten my weight in those things. (Please have brunch again next year mom!!!!) But, due to hectic scheduling BB and Pop I were not able to get their Christmas card made with Jackson and Tillie Ann. So, we took some of them for Happy New Years Cards. Here is one of those outatkes:

Then came present time. Here is a funny video of Tillie and Jackson passing out gifts.

Tillie Ann was used to opening gifts, so this was a breeze for her. She got the cutest Patsy Clairmont book with a puppet that comes with it. Patsy Clairmont is one of the ladies from the Women of Faith conference.

It has 5 stories about the Mackenzie's. They are a family of mice that live in a cabinet in a house. The stories have lessons that the children mice have to learn. Very cute stories. We have only read one, though.

Round 2....... By that I mean that we had another place to be. After leaving BB and Pop I's, headed for The Sweat's. We do Christmas with Buddy's parents on Christmas Eve. Tillie Ann had a huge surprise waiting for her when she arrived.

A new play set. you can only see a little bit of it, but needless to say it got left at their house for the time being.

The energy was still running about 8:30. Way passed her bedtime.....

And finally, back home about to go to sleep. But first, we and to leave Santa his milk, cookies, and note.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!!

Happy Birthday to Jesus, Happy Birthday to you!!!!

This year's Happy Birthday Jesus party was very special to me. Tillie actually knew what was somewhat going on. We attempted this last year, but it wasn't as successful as it was this year. Granted she was only 5 months old too. Buddy and I started this because we want Tillie to remember the real reason we celebrate this wonderful season, which is the birth of our Savior. Yes, Santa is also celebrated as well, but this birthday party always comes first.

For Tillie's 1st birthday we got her a kitchen. With that kitchen set, we bought her an apron. That apron got put to use during the making of the cupcakes.

Aren't we so cute in our aprons. We are getting ready to make the cupcakes. We had just explained, as well as we could, why we were doing this to Tillie Ann.

We are mixing the batter and about to put them into the cupcake liners. (If you look hard enough you can see the Betty Crocker box). Sorry Hayley P. I am not the baker that you are. Oh how I strive to be! We have all of this recorded, but I thought I would save you the time of not watching it.

After we iced the cupcakes, we sang and Tillie Ann dived into her cupcake.

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

Thank you Father for giving us a reason to have a Birthday Party for your Son tonight... Amen.

It Begins....

I know by the sound of the title what you might be thinking. I am not a Scrooge, I am just saying welcome Christmas gatherings. See there you go. Usally I would be the Scrooge and say yes it begins the rush from here to there on Christmas and not enjoy on minute of it but, NO not this year. I will NOT be the Martha that I could be but instead I AM going to be the Mary.

So with that said..........

We started our first Christmas event with The Coston Christmas. My Dad came up form Florida the Saturday before Christmas to celebrate with us at Granny Lois's. Yes I know that I am a little late posting, but we have been really busy and no time to blog. :) Tillie Ann was really into pulling the bows off the presents instead of opening the gifts, but when she saw that there were actual toys and clothes inside the gifts, she changed her attitude. Her first gift of the season was an Mp3 player for toddlers. Too cool. This is her opening it.

The next gifts she received were clothes. Mommy was more thrilled than she was. Hopefully one day she will grow into the excitement of receiving clothes than this year.

She got bored with opening clothes and went to check out what Jackson has gotten. We ended the night on a happy note and were truly exhausted.

Game Night

It has become a wonderful Christmas tradition at the Hamilton's to have game night on the eve of Christmas Eve (the 23rd). We come dressed comfy and ready to eat oysters and play games. This year was special because my sister and her family were not able to spend Christmas with us because it is her year to spend it with her in laws. My brother in law, Clint, cooked some yummy wings for those of us who do not do the oysters. The oysters came from my great aunt Charlotte who lives in Dothan. From the looks of some of these pictures some had a little more fun than some. Anyways, it's a great tradition that I is one that is worth keeping.

Pop I, Uncle Clint and Daddy being silly.

The rest of us playing Apples to Apples. If you have never played this game it is so much fun.

Jackson and Tillie Ann playing their game of coloring with Aunt Melinda.

Jackson and Uncle Brian playing with the train.

Do you have family traditions around Christmas time like this?

Alien, Nope Just the Pastor

Saturday night we had our Sunday School Christmas party. We had a wonderful host with a beautifully decorated house. There was a spread of food that was so yummy. We also played dirty Santa. I love this game, but it didn't get wild like I have seen it in the past. Everyone was pretty laid back and calm. This was also the night that the Heisman Award was given. We were amongst mostly Alabama fans so of course they were rooting for Mark Ingram to win. I really didn't care, but I was wanting Colt McCoy to win due in part that he is a Senior. But back to the real reason of the post. Our pastor is a little crazy some time and doesn't even mean to be. Since he and his wife came to our church he has put on a few pounds. He was trying on a jacket and needless to say, it was too little. Everyone got a big laugh about it. It was a great night of good food and fellowship.

Alien, nope just the pastor.

The yummy spread.

Our host, Leslie, and her newly engaged friend Whitney.

Amy and Greg

Our Pastor Andy and his wife Marylin cheesing for a picture.

Joy

I was challenged by my blogger friend Kristi to post what brings me joy.

Drawing on my hand by a blooming artist

The Coffee Maker..

Sweet smiling face.

Knowing that it will eventually get done...

Mickey Mouse....

What has brought me joy lately:

• Only 1 more day....
• No bites
• Hearing the heat cut on
• Nicole C. Mullen
• "Nite, Nite...."
• I sode mommy.... (I sorry)
• No fevers
• No runny nose.
• Puggles (last night we asked Tillie "Who made the puppy dogs?" her answer was DOD)

The list could go on and on, but the thing that brings me most joy is a happy, healthy, and wonderful family.

So fellow blogger here the question is to you-- "What brings you JOY?"

SEC Championship

John 16:33 (New International Version) 33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." This was the verse that Tim Tebow had on his black eye marks this weekend during the SEC Championship game. It has kinda been a game of mine for the past 12 weeks to see what verses that he has written under his eyes. I feel as though that this one was very appropriate for the time. There have been so many degrading things said about him, but because of his faith in God he is standing firm in his beliefs and not letting the "world" get to him. Why can there not be more role models for children out there in the world that stand firm in their faith?

Christmas Village

A couple of weeks ago Mom, Granny Ham, and I went to Christmas Village. This is a tradition of mine every year to go to this huge craft show in Birmingham. There are so many vendors that are there every year. I was so excited to go this year especially because of having Tillie Ann. Yes, I know that she was here last year at this time, but she had so many things that I didn't need to buy anything. But, not this year. I got her some cute smocked dresses and several toys. The prices this year were not so bad either. We all found some great buys as well as gifts. Make your plans now to attend next year, you will not regret it.

Christmas Picture

I love having Tillie's picture made. If you are in my area of the state I use Angela Hill Photography. She is a school teacher by day and a photographer by night (or weekend). I love that she is a teacher because she understands your child so she captures great pictures. Here is one from Tillie's session with her:

Happy Halloween

(I know that this is a little late, but better now then, never)

Halloween was so much different this year than last year. Last year the Hubby had the stomach virus and Tillie was just coming off of it and I was just trying to hold all of us together while trying to pass out candy. Yes, I still passes out candy.

This year we had to travel all over the county and even into another one. So needless to say no candy was given out at my house.

Here are some pictures of Tillie Ann as Raggedy Ann and me and the Hubby as cows:

We even saw Woody (Jackson).

100th Post: Thank you

Happy 100th post!!!

Thank you to my sister who got me started on this.

Thank you to my followers.

Most of all thank you to Tillie Ann who has given me a reason to post!!

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

It has always be a tradition of mine to carve pumpkins. I cannot remember not doing it. I hope Tillie finds the love in doing this that I have. This year we decided to carve Mickey Mouse since that is what we are into right now. (That and I couldn't do Bob the Builder. Yes she loves Bob the Builder, another post for another time.) So on Saturday we started the carving...well I did with a tiny bit of help from Tillie and no help from the Hubby.

So here is Mickey...

Tillie helping a little bit.....

Then this is what Tillie did.....

Mickey at night.....

Show Us Your Fall Decor

This week at Kelly's Korner is show us your Fall decor. I absolutely love fall and decorating. I am a little late on decorating. I really didn't do as much as I would have liked but Tillie Ann is really loving rearranging things right now and most of my things are breakable. So for safety reasons I keep most of the decorations up until next year.

Let's start outside. (It was raining when I took these so excuse the blurry images.)

This tree is actually in my neighbors yard. Our trees haven't got on the changing bandwagon yet.

Pumpkin just dying (literally) to be carved...

Tillie Ann's little pumpkin.....

Fall scene.. (The hubby wouldn't let me put it in the yard. So the next best place)

Welcome to the front door, Come on inside...

My mom gave me this. (Hobby Lobby find)

One of my good friends gave me this for my birthday. She knows how I love fall.