Journey with the Lee Family: 2009

Christmas Day 2009

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Alex loved pulling prizes out of her stocking

Notice the kitchen in the background. Alex saw the box that had a picture of a girl playing with the kitchen on it. She asked me where the girl was. ha! She wanted the little girl to play with too! Later she was playing with a wand that came with a Sleeping Beauty costume set that Mimi gave her. She told me that it didn't work. She would shake it and say, "I am trying to change something." Mommy had to explain that it was a pretend wand. So now, she pretends to change everybody into something silly...most recently, David became Ernie (off of Sesame Street) and Alex became Cinderella.

Alex loving her new Abby Cadabby doll

David enjoyed the bow, wrapping paper and a spatula while we opened presents.

Since Chris was on back up call, we stayed home for Christmas. We spent it with some special friends who are like family to us. Thank you, Wendy and Graeme, for making this day so special! In honor of Graeme being from Australia, Wendy brought poppers (see below). I almost made him the traditional Aussie dessert, pavlova, but couldn't squeeze it in with the 2 days of dressing preparations. Sorry Graeme! I'll attempt it next time. Chris and I reminisced about us spending Christmas 2000 in Australia during our year there. Fun memories!

Enjoying our yummy meal together. David even tried (and liked) Wendy's sweet potato casserole and my dressing. This was my first time to ever make the southern tradition of dressing all by myself. I was pleased with the result.

As part of an Aussie tradition, Wendy brought poppers for us to pull for prizes inside. Each popper came with a hat inside as well for all to sport.

Dessert time...chocolate cake, pecan pie, and lots of homemade candies. When I asked Alex what kind of cake that she thought Jesus wanted for his birthday party, she confidently said "chocolate." Happy Birthday Jesus!

"Mommy, this is fun, but I am ready for another nap."

Anything in David's reach pretty much goes straight to his mouth. Alex makes this face usually when she is playing rough (or thinking about it).

This picture probably sums up the day - lots of laughs, fun, celebrating, and pure enjoyment!

Stocking Shoes

While cleaning up and decorating for Christmas in early December, Alex put hers and David's stockings on and wore them as shoes the whole time. So cute!

Alex's First Dance Recital

Reagan, Alex and Olivia before the big show

Excuse the quality of these pics...we tried to alter some pics we took in the dark.

Alex was so excited after the recital that she danced around the driveway and yard for a while.

And yes, please excuse the quality of this video as it was done with our pocket camera. We will be much more prepared for the June recital and have our video camera charged! Alex is the second from the right...unfortunately, I stopped videoing as she started dancing more. o'well. still cute!

Post T'giving Visit to Grandmother's House

Grandmother with David and Alex

Celebrating Grandmother's 57th birthday (my first 3 layered cake...you can't tell from this angle, but it was a bit lopsided :)

While blowing up balloons for Grandmother's birthday "party," the kiddos had a balloonfest. David was under close supervision while playing with his balloon.

LOL!

Visiting Aunt Mimi and cousin Travis in Vicksburg, MS

David enjoying Daddy's "changing table"

Playing I mean helping grandmother move her fall decor from the front door

the girls helping grandmother decorate her tree

sweet cousins

Thanksgiving at Mimi's House

The kiddos and I enjoyed a weeklong visit at Mimi and Grandaddy's house in MS the week of Thanksgiving. Hopefully, they will have us again as my bunch definitely challenged their routines. Chris joined us the night before T'giving.

Cousins, Amy and Kelly, with Alex

Jumpfest at Mimi's house

Aunt Cathy and cousin Anna Cate loving her some bread

Aunt Robin and David

Cousin Amber and Alex

Hunter, David and Aunt Tammy

Getting dressed the day after T'giving for a photo shoot...

3 families with 4 young grandchildren involved = only a couple of usable pics - ha!

Mommy Fun

Most of the kiddos at our Moms N More small group Christmas brunch...our awesome, sweet, thoughtful, wise leader cooked almost everything and provided the kiddos with hats.

Hostesses at a shower for Stacie (second from right) to celebrate her baby boy expected in February

Moms N More Fall Brunch...my awesome "small" group!!!

Quaint shower for Jennifer (center front row) at a tea house with special friends to celebrate her baby boy coming in January

Fall Fun

Alex's first college football game

Happy first birthday Reese!

"Ok mama, put the camera away and gimme some food"

Alex reading to her dolls

Jumpfest has begun

Bro and sis back to back swinging for the first time...alex did not like this very much.

Play date with previous neighbors Cameron, Carter and their new friend.

Alex's MDO class went to a beautiful Belgian horse farm one gorgeous fall morning. They got to feed graham crackers to the horses, pet animals, pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, and ride a horse carriage ride.