Reid's 16th Birthday...

We were in Brookhaven Friday so we got to celebrate Reid's 16th birthday with him.  Yes, I still remember sleeping on the floor all night sick as a dog waiting for him to be born like it was yesterday. Wow...time flies...and to think he gets his driver license January 7th!

We all went out to lunch for his birthday and then back to Nanna's for cake.  Nanna was going to buy him a cake, but Anna Lauren really wanted to make him one so we did.  She decorated it all by herself...I think she did good!  Reid didn't care how it looked...he just LOVES chocolate!

Singing Happy Birthday...

Since he is getting his license and Brad has gotten him a truck to drive, Matt thought this would be a fun joke.  He got a big kick out of them!  We did give him some money for his "real" present...

So thankful that although they are big, they still love their "little" and sometimes very annoying cousins!

BINGO...

When Nanny went to the nursing home, I wasn't sure how my kids would respond to the nursing home (especially Anna Lauren because she does NOT like the hospital).  To my surprise they are great and will even ask to go see Nanny.  And not just Nanny, they know many of the residents at the nursing home and will tell me their names.  They actually go more than me because a lot of times they are in Brookhaven with Nanna, and I am at home.

Bingo is not only a highlight for the nursing home residents...Anna Lauren loves to go "help" play bingo. So if she is in Brookhaven, she is going to find out the bingo schedule...this week she actually got to play with Nanny Thursday and Friday!

Only the "residents" can play so Nanny lets Anna Lauren play her card.  Anna Lauren yelled "bingo" once and one lady said, she cannot play.  Mom informed me it was the lady Nanny hit on the head one day because she is just annoying.  One of the men residents said he plays just to watch the show...said people can get crazy over $.20...they get $.05 every time they call bingo.

If I ever wonder my mom is such a good grandmother, I just have to look at my grandmother...mom has the BEST example to follow.  

It is worth going to play bingo when you win "blackout" and Nanny gives you the $2!

Christmas in Brookhaven...

After a fun Christmas morning at home, we loaded up and headed to Brookhaven.  We had a late lunch at Nanna's and then we went to Brad and Paula's for presents and dinner.  Not sure if we missed or were jealous of Joey's family...they were on a cruise this Christmas.

Cooper was happy to see Jake...he LOVES his "big" cousins...

Nanna got Anna Lauren some much needed new tennis shoes...per Anna Lauren, Nanna has good taste!

Cooper loved opening presents this year...he quickly started opening his presents...Nanna also got him some new tennis shoes and clothes.

Our very musical nephew, Reid, got an ukulele from Nanna...

And Nanna got Jake a new tv for his room...

Aunt Paula knew what this little girl would like...new pajamas and lip gloss...

Reid is very smart, and we are anxious to see where he actually goes to college...at the top of his list right now is Duke so we got him a shirt.  He thought it was so funny when he opened the present...he said no one supports him but us.  I know he will change his mind a hundred times the next two years!

Jake had a very specific Christmas list so we got him a movie off his list...

A fun dress from Nanna...she said, yay...a tutu!

Nanna also got Reid a new backpack for school...

Probably Cooper's favorite gift from Nanna...a fireman outfit!

Love her face...she is slowly getting away from bows so Nanna got her some sparkly ponytail holders.  This is probably more so for me than her...I have a hard time not putting a bow in her hair.

Nanny showing off her new watch...so thankful she is still able to leave the nursing home and celebrate holidays with us!

Brad travels a good bit for work so he got a new suitcase from Nanna...

We got Paula a new scarf and shirt...

FINALLY...new fleece pullovers...he loves them and needed some new ones so bad!

Pretty sure Cooper opened all of Uncle Brad's presents...he opened any present someone would let him open.  And...it just wouldn't be Christmas without chocolate covered cherries.  I have given them to Brad every Christmas since I was a little girl.

Nanna's gift from all of us...she saw the Calverts gift so she had convinced herself she was getting the same thing...not the case. LOVE surprising her!  And wow...cannot believe this didn't slip from one of the grandkids.

And a Merry Christmas it was...BUT...I'm so glad it is over and the decorations are put away.  Just not my favorite time of the year...and don't call me crazy...I'm not the only one that feels this way.  From reading blogs and facebook, there are just a few of us that will actually admit it is not our favorite!

Christmas Morning...

Well, that sweet Santa did make a stop at our house and made two children very excited!  I even heard from Anna Lauren...we have the BEST Santa!

All Cooper wanted was a weed eater...but he also got some headphones, a flipeez hat, and a stocking full of candy.

Anna Lauren just wanted paint pens...but she also got some boxes to paint on with her paint pens, head phones, an outfit, and a stocking full of candy.

This was the 2nd year she had asked for paint pens...last year Santa obviously thought she was not old enough because she didn't get them.

Walking into the living room on Christmas morning...

Elfie never showed up this year so Cooper was really excited to see him when he walked into the living room.

You cannot see his face, but you can see that smile...he was so excited to finally get his weed eater!

Anna Lauren checking out the treats in her stocking...

So fun that Anna Lauren can read now...she was reading the letter from Elfie...

Too cute in his safety goggles...

Cooper opening bag #1...

Hmm...looks like he found an airplane and some boarding passes in all that shredded paper...

He's pretty impressed with just the airplane...

Sister on the other hand realizes it's plane tickets to fly somewhere and is screaming with excitement!

And now Anna Lauren is opening bag #2...

Trying to figure it out...

And then she gets it...we are going on in a cruise in 74 days...Spring Break!

Cooper will just play with the big ship while Anna Lauren asks one million questions...like Nanna said, it may be a LONG 74 days!

Santa left us a countdown...we can rip off a day everyday and count down to our week of fun!

This silly boy...cannot help but love him...he is precious!

Squeezing his hat and making the ears stand up...

Happy Aunt Kate sent her a Justice gift card...she now has $80 to spend at Justice.  Lord, help me prepare for this shopping trip!

Anna Lauren picked out a present for Daddy all by herself...Bingo!

Cooper sort of picked out a present for Daddy, which he is opening...

And it wouldn't be Christmas without something practical...

The kids opening the presents they bought me...I've been wanting tips/icing bags to decorate cupcakes so that is what I got.  Along with a flower pan and a brownie mix.  Will be a fun activity for us while we are home next week...

You know this little man...doesn't take long before he finds the door and heads outside to do his "work".

And that was our fun Christmas morning at home before heading to Brookhaven for a couple days!