Lights at the Gaylord Opryland

Outside lights...

Savannah trying to sneak into the fountain...that kid will swim in anything.

Daddy and S enjoying the water show from a safer distance.

It's always the box...

Mail from Santa...
Grand Total: $276.90 spent on postage for packages sent to our home.
Santa(s) were very generous this year.

And all they wanted was the peanuts.

We spent several hours opening presents and enjoying our Christmas stories on Christmas morning. The girls especially enjoyed our new tradition - there's no such thing as a mess on Christmas morning. We enjoyed every doll, book, yo-yo and card. Thank you for thinking of us and making this a very special season for the girls. We love our amazing family and friends!

The most beautiful Megan Whitney Merrill ever!

My fabulous (never to be outdone) sister just delivered Megan Whitney Merrill, on the 20th and left the hospital 23 hours later, looking perfect for a red carpet runway. Then of course she managed to blog about it... Setting a new standard for perfect mothers all over the world. My hat off to you, that is what I call an overachiever.

(For those of you who have not met Jen, yes, she does look that beautiful all the time and so does anything she touches.)

Oh Man, that's just great!

Lauren's new line. Used in a variety of situations, varied only by voice inflection. This kid can memorize anything. She frequently quotes movies (she might have a one up on Burke in the Disney department) and has an uncanny ability to pick up songs.

I think this is a sign = time for music lessons!

Can you see the love?

I guess you can find love in the oddest places.

This would be in the midst of half a box of Life cereal on the floor. Apparently the pantry lock is no longer "child proof". When she came to get me she said "Mommy we need to vacuum", and she really did manage to keep it all on the rug....hhmmm.

When will you NOT be looking mom?

Savannah asked "When will you not look mom?"

She wants to eat this house so badly...it doesn't matter that we've already eaten 2 others.

We made this Gingerbread house at Sophia's house. They have a party every year to share their German traditions and introduce ST. Nicholaus who leaves treats in your shoes. Sally makes the most amazing gingerbread, I've never tasted anything like it. I'm going to give the recipe a go next week...

My big helpers assisting in the completion of our holiday shopping.

Taking the zoo to the Zoo.

Since we've been a few times now I wasn't rushed to race through the park. Our orienteering captain Brady led the way. Lauren's favorite animal is the meerkat. I still don't know how that fits in with the other favorites; Hannah Montana, purple, princess jewelry or barbies...?

We especially enjoyed the fish tanks, spiders, snakes and BATS!!! Everyone wanted to bring home a new pet.

Knife wielding children

Pie-in-the-Sky Pizza has an amazing set up here, and killer bar-b-q pizza. I'd give it a 5-star Yum! They have a "Dough Bar" where the kids get to play with pizza dough and are encouraged to cut, tear and even toss handfuls of deliciously seasoned ready to bake pizza dough...
La was so proud of her culinary skills. She even pointed out that she was holding and cutting correctly. Smarty-pants.

My sticker guru

Meditation was especially quiet this morning...I think it even startled me. I came out into the living room to witness Savannah apply the last of several sheets of stickers to our tv. In an effort to spare my second born's life, I only took a picture of her proud face. "See Mommy? Pretty for Daddy!"

I spent 3 hours and bottle of Goo-gone getting every last sticker off Nick's flat screen. I think I counted 76 stickers in all. Nick still doesn't know...yet.

"Leaf" it to us Mommy!

Nick was up at first daylight attempting to free our grass from its canopy of leaves. By the time the girls woke up (6:30 am) the piles were ripe for parachuting. We have a picture of Nick and his dad doing the same chores when Nick was 2 yrs. old. What a moment to relive.