Sianara BBB and Gurshall

Our resident elves left us on Xmas eve to report to Santa that the boys have been, ahem, good. It's like the Facts of Life...take the good, take the bad, take them both and there ya have...Reed and Nolan! Before the little guys left, they continued to do silly stuff and make the boys laugh. That's what it's all about! No, not the hokey pokey--Christmas!!! 

McLure Xmas 2013

Sooooo, last weekend we celebrated Xmas with the McLure's- Larry's brother, wife Pat, and children Michelle, John, and Wesley. We started out the day going to a UGA basketball game. We won in the last few seconds against Western Carolina. Hey, what UGA lacks in basketball, they make up for in football, gymnastics, and championship chess tournaments! We saw and talked with Spike, the big blow up dog. 

Afterwards the game, the nights festivities began. We had an awesome Jammy meal and opened gifts. The boys were so excited to get loads of falcons and UGA gear, Legos, money, outdoor play stuff and loads and loads and loads of gum. I seriously don't think they will have to buy gum for the rest of their lives!

Oh, one uninvited guest Reed got was the flu. Poor guy was up all night and couldn't hold anything down. He and I missed the nutcracker with the rest of the family the next day, but he was grateful to rest and get better. He wasn't too sad that he got to load up on ginger ale! 

Thanks for such an awesome weekend (minus the sickness), Jammy and Grandÿ! We love you!!

Schoooool's out

For...the holidays! Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Blades couldn't be happier as it was the end of 2013 and they get some well deserved rest. They did some sweet holiday treats for their classes and the boys paused long enough to give them a squeeze. Now, time for Christmas!!!!

Edible architecture

The other day, our fabulous cake lady offered me 2 decadent gingerbread houses to have the boys decorate. Of course!! We'd love to make a mess, eat tons of candy, and then call it art! The boys got down and dirty, with icing, and decorated to their little hearts content. Reed was doing jumping jacks and running laps around the house after about 10 spice drops, 2 chocolate chimneys, 4 cookies, 3 twizzlers, and a handful of red hots. Oh, that was what he ATE, all the other stuff ended up on the houses and they were so proud of their creations. 

Halloran's symphonic treat

Sunday, the Sean/Dar Halloran's took us on our yearly Christmas experience. This year they took us to the children's holiday symphony. I wasn't sure if it would hold everyone's attention from Nolan to Poppa, but it did and everyone had a fantastic time! First, there was alcohol at the beginning, cocktail hour in the lobby. (Check one for Poppa). 

Then, there was a sing-a-long to Rudolph. (Check one for the little ones). Then, there was a man in white tights! (Not sure who that check was for, but all the girls were giggling!). Lastly, dinner at Doc Chey's in the Highlands. (Check for all of us as there was nary a crumb left in sight!). Memorable. Thank you Sean and Dar for, yet again, an awesome Christmas event!!

Extra, extra!

Read all about it! The boys were in the (local) Alpharetta/Milton newspaper from last weekend's Santa gathering. Todd found where they were distributed and took a whole bunch! Let us know if you'd like a signed copy, it'll only cost $1000. I know...cheap, right?!? LoL

The elves wanted to get in on the action, so this morning we found them eating breakfast and enjoying their morning paper. 

Elf-scapades

Our elves have been up to their craziness yet again! The boys woke up on their own this morning to find they had scattered their underwear all about the room and even decided to wear a pair or two. Eew, boys underpants, I can't think of anything stinkier!

Thirt-what-teen?!?

So, the first cousin/grandkid/sibling turned the teenage corner last weekend and is no longer a kid. He's a teen. Wow. Good luck to Dawn and Burke during these crazy teenage years...and 3 girls that will follow shortly! Yikes! Happy bday, Ryan!

Must be Santa

Yesterday, before all the mass chaos of the slumber party ensued, we went to the Christmas Event in Crabapple. Our neighbor and family photographer puts on such a cute Christmas bazaar with crafts, snacks and...drumroll, please...Santa!! The boys got to tell him their Xmas lists and tell him how 'good' they've been all year. (Pft, Santa can see right through that one!) 

Bob, Mika and Jackson met us for lunch and then we all trekked over there. The photographer's assistant asked us if she could put the boys picture in the Milton/Alpharetta newspaper! I'll be sure to get a copy and post later :0)

Santa arrived on a tractor with the cutest pooch in the scooper! They also got to make reindeer food bags, color ornaments and there was a balloon artist, and she was REALLY good. I mean, of course if you ask Reed what he wants and include in the choices a 'sword', that's all he hears. Nolan asked for a Santa face...so cute!

File this under...

What was I thinking?!? LoL. Last night we had a 'sleep'over of the Polar Express kind. The word sleep is in quotes because I'm not sure just how much sleep these 8, yes 8, boys got. We had popcorn, hot cocoa, the movie, and an entire night of "I killed you" "you're dead" "you can't come into my lair" "mrs Lindsay, do you have any more weapons?" "It's not fair, they have a bigger team" and so on and so forth. Typical boys slumber party focused mainly on play fighting and such. Nonetheless, I do this to myself every year and probably will do it again next year. However, the following quotes were worth it!

-this is the best popcorn EVER!

-this is the best hot cocoa EVER!

-mrs Lindsay, your house looks pretty!

-will you invite me to your next sleepover?

-I love this movie but don't ruin the ending for me!

Memories...

71 years young

Happy bday, Grandÿ!! Yesterday you celebrated 71 years of an amazing life thus far. We're so lucky to have you in our lives and can't wait to see you soon! These two little elves wanted to wish you a happy, happy birthday. Can you guess which one has been naughty and which one is nice? (Written indicators on their hats may or may not help!) we love you!!

Elves, Peter & city life

Our elves have been very busy over the past several days, which is why I haven't had time to post anything. Cotton balls fights, wii games, and plenty more shenanigans to come. 

Last night, Dawn, Lindara and I took 7 out of the 9 cousins downtown to the 14th street playhouse to see 'Peter Pan & Wendy'. We took Marta to the Arts center station, ate Moe's at Colony Square, and frolicked down Peachtree and 14th St to our destination. It was the cutest play we have ever been to! The actors were awesome as they engaged the audience (mostly children) and made us all laugh. We even got to meet them after the play! Here they are with Captain Smee and the other picture is them with Peter himself. After the play, they had fun running UP the DOWN escalator at the Marta station. Amazing how much energy they had at 10pm. Anna, on the other hand decided to take a little nap on the train. Fun night!