The stockings were hung by the chimney with care ...

Since there is nothing new happening with our adoption at the moment and we probably won't hear anything new until mid-January at the earliest, this post will mainly feature our family photos. Be warned: If you don't know us (and perhaps even if you do) you will probably find this post to be very boring. I suppose in a way it is taking the place of the scrapbooking I used to do. Although I still plan to scrapbook most of these photos *someday* right now this is so much quicker for me. I am researching how to publish my blog into a book format so we can share it with our kids when they are all grown up. I think it will be neat to be able to look back on and reminisce about all the things we are doing while waiting for our daughter. I truly hope January will bring more adoption oriented posts!!!

I could have named this post "Family and Friends" because we are very blessed to have lots of both. We enjoy getting together whenever possible throughout the year, but there is nothing like the Holidays to bring everyone together.

Here are some of our most 'memberable moments with friends and family this Christmas:

We gathered 'round the table at the DiGivianni's home to make "gingerbread" houses.

Francis and Cara DiGiavanni

We enjoyed a dinner party at the home of the Hitchcox family. I forgot to take pictures of the grown-ups, but did manage to catch the kids playing outside. You never know what kind of weather we'll have for Christmas in Tennessee. It can range anywhere from snow and ice to a balmy 60 degrees. This evening, just three days before Christmas, was very mild. The kids had a blast playing outside and the playset was covered with brightly colored lights. The photo just doesn't do it justice on how pretty it was.

Garrett the acrobat!

Nana came over early on Christmas morning and brought lots of delicious deserts. She helped me pick out the perfect turkey and it was soooo juicy!

The weather on Christmas day was so nice the kids played outside all afternoon. That's my niece, Meredith, in the hammock with Liam:

On Christmas Eve, Eve, we had dinner with Ashlae, Andrew and little Adyson Campbell. Grandma made her famous lasagna and Ghirardelli chocolate brownies.

The boys love on their niece every chance they get. I sure hope they are as good to their little sister as they are to Adyson!

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Opening presents is hard work. Liam was plum tuckered out! He feel asleep by 7:00 pm and slept until 9:00 am the next morning. Nolan couldn't resist putting a bow on little brother.

Adyson really figured out the present thing pretty fast. The boys offered to help her tear the paper, but she didn't need it. Uncle Michael and Auntie Bunner gave her a beautiful dress, but I think her favorite gift of the evening was the sippy cup ... especially when we put some Juicy Juice in it. I'm really looking forward to doing more GIRL shopping!

As a special treat this year, Uncle Michael and Auntie Bunner got to join us for Christmas! They live in Atlanta and we always enjoy their visits so much. Our favorite activity is playing board games together.

We traditionally open presents with Grandma on Christmas Eve and were thrilled that Auntie Bunner and Uncle Michael got to join us this year.






We also watched the DVD from our Church's Christmas pageant:

Liam was the cutest Angel singing "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night" with his preschool class.

Nolan was more of a "Wise Guy" than a "Wise Man"

Garrett sang the most beautiful solo "Christmas isn't Christmas till it Happens in Your Heart"

Preston did a Latin Song and Dance with his good friend Sophie. He really hammed it up.

Finally, a couple of photos from the Christmas recital with Preston and Garrett's voice teacher, Ms. Heather. Preston sang "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree" and "Little Drummer Boy". Garrett sang "Christmas isn't Christmas" and Elvis' "Blue Christmas".

I'll sign off with a short video of Adyson playing Christmas Plinko. Martin custom built this Plinko board for a Fall Festival at our church a few years ago. The object is to get the ball to fall into the center slot with the heart. For Christmas, we just replaced the regular plastic balls with red and green plastic Christmas ornaments. It's been a big hit all month. I'm already thinking ahead to Easter Plinko with plastic Easter Eggs.