There is absolutely nothing more wonderful than having children and celebrating Christmas with them.  I am reminded of the verse that says, "Children are a heritage from the Lord."  We are so very blessed to have experience our first Christmas together as a family of four.  It was truly magical. Even though Ellie kept us up all night, and Eli made us roll out of bed at 5:00 in the morning, I wouldn't have changed a single thing.  The Lord opened many doors for us and we were able to surprise Eli with everything on his list.  He got a Gator, monster trucks, Hot Wheels, Dvds and Monster Jam Tickets just to name a few.  He was one happy little boy.  I wish I could just bottle up that moment and save it forever! Ellie had no idea what was going on, but she too racked up.  When we were in Nashville on Monday (which seems like a lifetime ago) she was so memorized by this Snow White doll.  Being wrapped around Eric's little finger, she got it.

I had to work on Christmas Eve, but I did everything as quickly as possible and then left.  I made a run to Wal-Mart before heading home and still made it back before 9:00 - WHOOT!! Eric had gotten a wild hair while I was gone and started "clean" cleaning.  I mean things looked awesome.  We pretty much spent the entire day working on the house and cooking for Christmas Day.  Finally after two more trips to town for groceries and batteries we made it home, bathed the kids and settled in for our Christmas traditions.   Basically, we buy each other one gift.  Everything else comes from Santa.  Eli was very excited to get a Hulk action figure from Mommy and Daddy.  Eli was sweet and bought him "How The Grinch Stole Christmas."   Eric was next.  Eli was so proud of the boat key chain he found and the "Frosty The Snowman" cup he helped Ellie pick out for Daddy.  Next it was Ellie Girls turn.  She got a doll from Eli

I had to work this morning, but Eric took a vacation day so that he could stay home with the kids.  I ended up leaving a little early and made it home in time to help get the kids ready for our trip to Nashville.  If you've never seen Orpyland Hotel at Christmas time, I would highly recommend putting it on your bucket lists.  It's truly a winter wonderland.  There are literally millions of lights and 90% of it is inside which means that it's warm! After a quick trip to the pharmacy for ear Eli's ear drops, we were Nashville bound.  We ran into a little traffic around Opry Mills mall, but that was it.  We did a little shopping before walking over to the hotel.  Eli was so excited to show Ellie the giant tree.  We had taken him two years ago and it was fun, but this year it was truly magical.  A lot of our family traditions will fade out as the kids grow older, but I hope going to Opryland becomes something we do with our future in-laws and grand ba

I hadn't been home to Lexington since August, so it was such a blessing getting to go this past weekend.  Of course we loaded up on Friday and headed out.  Both kids slept the whole way, so I was worried that we were in for a long night, but they just fine.  Saturday morning Eric went hunting while my mom and I ran a few errands with Eli and Ellie.  Since I hadn't seen my grandmother in almost half a year, we stopped by to visit for a little while.  Eli loves Granny because she lets him jump on the bed, through pillows, and play cars on the furniture.  Ellie took right up with her too.  It is such a blessing for them to have met three great-grandparents.  We didn't stay too long since we were having family dinner back at my mom and dad's house.  My other grandmother came - along with my sister, brother and their spouses.  It was the first time we had all been together in a long time, so it was so so nice to eat and talk.  As you might