Christmas in Atlanta

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

We run around, worrying about what parties we are attending, what food we will be making, what gifts we will be giving.... We worry about the clothes we will wear for different Holiday Events, work schedules, and where we will spend our holiday.... This little statuette is one of my favorites: Santa and the Christ Child. My Mom had one when we were growing up, and I always loved it; she also had a copy of the book, which I also loved. It is a sweet visual reminder of the reason for this wonderful season.

Speaking of reminders, our Elf on the Shelf, named "Clifford" by Alli, was a wonderful reminder for a certain 3 year old that Santa expects little girls and boys to be good. Clifford would appear in a different place each morning and would watch the girls all day, flying along the Elf Super Highway at night to report to Santa at the North Pole about how the Buckler Girls have been behaving. We were sad when Clifford had to return to the North Pole but look forward to seeing him next Christmas. He even left a note for Alli, saying that he got special permission from Santa to visit periodically throughout the year!!

We had a wonderful Christmas season! However, many moments were very bittersweet, colored by the loss of Brad's sweet grandfather, DB ("Daddy Buck"), who passed away a few weeks before Christmas. We will always miss you DB, and we love you very much!

Our Christmas vacation in Atlanta began with a visit with Mimi the first evening we were there, and we got to see Leslie and Jeff for a few minutes, as well! The next day, Dede and Keith went with us to ride the Pink Pig at Lenox ~ an Atlanta tradition. It was Boots' first time to ride!

We also got to visit with Neen and Ross before they had to head back home. We were so glad we got to see them and spend some time with them ~ especially because we get to see them so rarely, and this was their first time to meet Elizabeth!

Christmas Eve Day, we drove out to Grandmommie and Marty's house to spend the day with that side of the family. What a party it was! Alli especially had a great time playing with Brad's cousin's little girl, Georgia, who is just 1 year older than Alli. They are quite a pair!

That night, we had dinner with Gigi & PapaDoc; Stephanie, Phil, & Philip; and Lydia & Blake and then opened presents. First, though, the children got a special visit from Santa Claus! Alli got one more chance to tell him the 3 things she wanted for Christmas, just in case he had forgotten: a dollhouse, a guitar, and a Diego Animal Rescue Train.

Christmas morning was very exciting! Both girls got everything they wanted! Alli's guitar and Train were sitting out from Santa, with several other fun toys and books, as well; Santa had been considerate enough to make a special trip to Augusta to leave her dollhouse there. Boots got some books, magnet activities, and her favorite: a "gumball" toy with balls to drop inside! They were able to play for a while, and before she had to get dressed, Alli made cookies with Gigi.

After we left Gigi & PapaDoc's house, we headed to Dede's house for a late lunch. Dede and Keith were there, and Karen, Lindsey, Georgia (the young lady Lindsey is mentoring), Shay, & Steven came, as well. We hated to miss seeing Nana & Papa, but they were both sick with the flu. We had a wonderful meal and a good visit with everyone before we had to leave to come back to Augusta; Brad had to work the next morning, but we were grateful for the 4 days he had off!

Other Pictures from the Season...
(in no particular order)

Boots was fascinated by the tree and the ornaments!

Alli decorating the tree.
(We do this as a family each year, using handmade ornaments and the ones we collect on vacations and each year at Christmas.)

Boots helped, too!

Boots loves her baby, which she got for her birthday, and is all the time giving her a bottle.

While Brad and I were cleaning up the kitchen one evening, Boots was hanging out in the kitchen with us. In the literally-about-1-minute that our backs were turned, she dragged the chair to the junk drawer, opened it, dumped out much of the contents, and began to play with a Sharpie (in her hand, at her mouth). Yes, she is our little climber!

Elizabeth, the day of her birthday.

Boots has carried this doghouse around non-stop since Dede gave it to her for her birthday. It is actually pretty funny.

I took both girls to the annual Mrs. Claus event that the Junior League holds. The children get to hear Mrs. Claus read Christmas books, get their pictures taken with her, make crafts, and have cookies and punch. The Mommies get great photo ops and a Second Round Cookbook! :)

Being a Room Mother does have its perks! I loved being able to attend Alli's class' "Birthday Party for Baby Jesus" this year. Lucky for Alli, Daddy was able to come, too! She was so proud!! :) The children had fun, and they ended the party with a big group hug for Mrs. Scroggs and Mrs. Arthur.

Alli & I have been having such a great time cooking together. We made Nana's chili, Tiger Butter, and lots of other goodies together over the holidays.

"Baby Boots"