Let the games begin!

I got back from the gym today totally wiped out and in need of a nap. Shawn was very sweet to make dinner and then took the boys upstairs while I laid down, only to wake up 4 hours later! Sometimes mommies need to rest also...hard to fathom. (I just went upstairs and found Conner and Daddy asleep in our room so I think it was an early evening for everyone.) It's been pretty hectic around here since we've been home. Last night we had Mel (our beloved babysitter who has left us for Highpoint U but is home for Christmas) come over so that we were able to get out together to tie up some loose Christmas ends. I'm feeling pretty good about where we stand for the big day but now I need to get all of my baking done. Ugh...I was going to do that today but it looks as though tomorrow is going to be a very long day filled with grocery shopping, baking, and getting ready for the weekend. Oh well, sometimes rest wins out!

Shawn's parents and his brother, Adam, will be arriving Friday to spend Christmas with us. It will be very nice to have family here. On Christmas Eve, I'll be volunteering for the 3 o'clock service in childcare then the troops will meet me for the 5 o'clock service. Our church added a new auditorium this past year so it'll be the first Christmas service in the new space. Then Christmas day finds us hosting a dinner for friends who, like us, find themselves alone in the great north! This is the second annual meal so I'm hoping it continues as a tradition - it's so important to spend holidays with others.

I should say hello to my personal blog fan club, Ali from Treloar and Heisel, and, of course, Ashley! These two ladies would be worthy opponents if ever there was a blog trivia game! Thanks for keeping me in business and enjoy the update...finally.

Well, I suppose I should fold some laundry and get some things straightened up to prepare for tomorrow's craziness. I do hope that everyone has a safe and magical Christmas. We love and miss everyone whom we will be separated from.

A quick snapshot before we cut down the tree.

Daddy showing Conner where to cut.

Wow...It's almost Christmas!

On the windy beaches of Pawley's Island!

I cannot believe that it will be Christmas in only a few short weeks. In years past, I've had a nice head start on my shopping and the decorating (inside and out) is done Thanksgiving weekend. Not so this year. There are three lonely Rubbermaid containers in the kitchen waiting for me to empty what is inside so that they may enjoy the holiday season, but alas, that won't happen until at least Thursday. However, we did make our annual trek to Bethlehem...New Hampshire...to cut down the family tree which now adorns our living room.

Our time in the south was very nice. Of course I got to see my little Spencer and also spend time with family and our friends, the Weiders, and I got to run outside every day!! Rarely do I get the opportunity to run in the great outdoors so it was a nice change of pace to hit the pavement, literally, and not stare at a wall or a TV for that time. Conner and Grady enjoyed their time with Nana and Aunt Sayward and Uncle Matt , Conner is never ready to leave, and Thanksgiving was a complete success thanks to our wonderful host and hostess, Gary and Julie. I think my favorite part of this trip was watching my little sister be a mommy, she's a natural, and Matt is an amazing daddy. Spencer is going to be one loved little lady.

The Friday after Thanksgiving put us, again, on the road...this time to Durham, North Carolina. Shawn's sister hosted their Thanksgiving on Friday since she works her nursing job on Thanksgiving day. Many Johnsons were present as well as one of Shawn's good friends from high school, Joe. It goes without saying that Conner and Grady were in their glory, reunited once again with Kathleen, Nicole, and Seth. They had such a blast together and Conner is still spouting "Kathleen-isms."

So, here I sit, it's 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday and I'm playing out my day as well as the rest of the week, trying to fit everything in. This weekend was very busy, packed with two Christmas parties, the journey up north, and various other activities, and this coming weekend is showing signs of the same. I'm going to avoid that at all costs. Shawn and I will be getting some much needed time together next weekend as we are in Pittsburgh for his annual meeting. We have some amazing friends here who will be caring for our little guys so that we are able to do this sans kiddos.

Take care this week and enjoy the season! It's too easy to get so busy preparing, planning, baking, decorating, shopping - an on and on - that Christmas passes us by.
Look at that cutie!! The biggest goofball of all is MIA!! Where's Grades?