Christmas at our house

As you will probably able be able to see from the time I posted this, Christmas at the Hite House is complete :-) Today we stayed at home, and first had a wonderful time opening gifts with Madeline (every time she opened a gift she said something like, he knew I wanted that one!) We had a great dinner, if I may say so myself, with a pecan pie made using the Paula Deen cookbook, and it was wonderful! We had fun with Mom & Dad, although we really missed Rebecca & Mark. Mom was truly surprised by her sewing machine (for one of the first times ever)! I think Dad liked his gifts, too, and we certainly did. I got fun presents - an IPod Nano, which I have been playing with all night, and some fabulous ruby earrings - I am loving that! Dad is going to send me some more pics, so I may have some more to post. Some of the photos taken with my camera are below.

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Christmas Eve with the Hites

On Christmas Eve, we continued the Christmas celebration by opening presents with the Hites, followed by a dinner with the Hites and the Shaffners (Jeanine's kids and Grandkids). Once again, a good time and marginal conversation (joking, just joking) were had by all! After the dinner, Steven, Madeline and I came home and put food out for the reindeer and Santa. What a joy to have Christmas with Madeline! She was so excited! Her theories on Christmas crack me up - from the one about wrapped gifts (the elves wrap them if they feel like it) to what happens if you happen to witness Santa in the act of delivering gifts (he knows that you were going to see him anyway, so that's OK). Oh yeah, the biggie - Santa always delivers every single gift you ask for (even if the first time you ask is the day before Christmas)!

Visit With Grandma

On the 23rd of December, we had a great time visiting with Grandma at her house, then we went to Mammaw's house for a family party. I put a couple of great pics of Grandma below. Abby promised me that she would email me some pics from Mammaw's house, so I'll add those when I get them. Our visit there was the normal big Baker family gathering, complete with yellling, teasing, laughing, eating, and lots and lots of hugs. The new family favorites are there (the littlest babies of course) - Ethan and Gracie, along with most of the rest of the gang. I was really happy to see them! Madeline and Lexie got along great - Madeline says Lexie is her new best friend, although she calls her "that girl" :-) I love Christmas!

Don't Grandma and Madeline look beautiful!

LOVE THIS STORY!

Here is a story that I have to share:

Madeline was talking with one of her friends about what they were going to be when they grow up. Madeline said "I'm going to be an author" and the other little girl said "I'm going to be a Mommy". Madeline says - and I am not joking, "I'm smart, I'm going to be an author AND a Mommy" I love that! I was totally proud. Long live my smart, independent girl :-)

One Week Til Christmas!

Hello All - I just had my normal super crazy Monday, with non-stop work action, then my exercise class and Madeline's dance class. I realized today that Christmas is one week away! Time flies when you are having fun (most of the time :-) Thank you for your friendship this year - we are blessed with great friends and family!

Patiently Waiting for Santa :-)

The gifts are all purchased and wrapped, Christmas Cards sent and received, fudge has been made. Now we are contemplating the gift which gives us the reason for the season, and patiently waiting for Santa. Thank you to all of you for your love and friendship this year :-)

Yesterday Dad came over and we watched UK/U of L basketball and Madeline and I baked Christmas Cookies and fudge. It was a good day overall. Today more of the same is planned, along with the usual laundry, etc. that must be done each week-end. My camera memory card is full, so I have to do a back-up, etc before Christmas, or I will have no new photos to share! Love to all :-)

Christmas Quiz Rebecca Tagged Me With

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? As Madeline put it, "the Elves wrap them if they feel like it"

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White

4. Do you hang mistletoe? No

5. When do you put your decorations up? Thanksgiving Week-end, no matter what!

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? pecan pie

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Listening for Santa's bells & Dad convincing me that I saw Santa through the car window in Cincinnati

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Believe!

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, we choose one gift to open on C-mas Eve.

10 How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? with favorite collected ornaments

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it, dying to make a snow angel!

12. Can you ice skate? me, are you crazy?

13. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Madeline's Happiness, the reason for it all

14. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Peanut butter and chocolate fudge!

15. What is your favorite holiday tradition? stockings, decorating the tree

16. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving

17. What's your favorite Christmas Song? O Holy Night

18. Grinch or Rudolph? Rudolph, definately :-)

Special Madeline Day

Madeline and I had a special day hanging out together today. In the morning we took our Christmas card pictures - some of which are above. Then we had lunch with Santa, Grandpa and Grandma at the school cafeteria, saw Santa Claus 3 (wouldn't recommend that one!) and came home, wrapped gifts, ate dinner and made Christmas cookies with icing. Madeline said it was the greatest day ever, so I guess I did good. I loved every minute of it too!