More December Fun

When we moved into our house 8 Christmases ago, I knew right where the Christmas tree would go - in front of a window in the living room, and it has been there every year. But, we always miss having the lights in our family room. However, I did not have the energy to put lights on 2 trees. (One day I'll blog about my light journey, but not today.) Anyway, along came pre-lit Christmas trees. If there was ever something to tempt me away from live trees, that is it! This year, I found a skinny, pre-lit, cheap tree for our family room. We have so many homemade ornaments that are perfect in the family room. I still had a few on the "real" tree, but most of the homemade ones were in the family room with us this year. You can sort of see the tree behind the kids. This is a great picture because it captures a spontaneous moment of sibling love! The kids argue so much, this is a great reminder that at times they can get along!

Here's a picture of the tree in the living room with a flash.

Here's one without a flash. Which do you like better?

Miss Preston is our super hero 1st grade teacher. Bryant had her, and we fell in love with her. She has babysat for us each summer, puppy and kitty sat for us and in general become a treasured part of our family. We are so happy that Ann Bennett is able to have her as a teacher this year. We have certainly had our issues with the kids' school, but 1st grade with Miss Preston is a respite in the storm! One of the things she does is called Christmas Around the World. She divides the students into 4 groups. Each group presents information about that country to the "audience." She gives each parent a passport, so after the presentation, you visit each country to have your passport stamped. She ends the day with a party with foods from as many countries as possible. That part falls to parents, but she coordinates it. One of the great things about both children having the same teacher is you end up with the same artwork -- like the Christmas trees on the board behind AB. Christmas trees with lights started in Germany.

Frances, AB and Preston at the party.

Halo Hoops basketball started this month as well. Halo Hoops is similar to Upward, but it was started locally. It is an amazing program, and I love basketball season. It is the only season that we have 1 practice and 1 game a week. It is not controlled by weather, so there are no changes. It is completely predictable, and we have a great coach. He somehow manages to coach, teach and motivate without ever raising his voice. I wish I could be more like him! Bryant is going to kill me for posting this picture, but I love it. He often hangs his stuff up the night before a game. It's kind of like his locker. Plus, I love pictures of sleeping children. It is a gift of God to see children sleep. They look so angelic and make it easy to forget the conflicts from earlier in the day!

We were supposed to leave for Atlanta on Saturday before Christmas right after Bryant's basketball game. But, we made the decision to wait until Sunday morning, and it was one of those decisions that relieved the Sasser stress ten fold! It meant we had some sleep that week, and I was not furious with everyone when we left. Plus, it meant Ann Bennett and I were able to go see Annie with her friends. Thank you Wendy and Anne Cathryn. AB loved it. All the girls did. They were fascinated. This picture was at intermission.

AB, Frances, Anne Cathryn, Lydia and Ella -- all looking a little too grown up!

AB and Annie. AB wanted to meet her so badly, but when we got to her, she was so nervous she couldn't speak. Apparently Annie just moved her from Los Angeles. She was really good.

We Even Saw Santa

Every year except last year and this year, we have gone to breakfast with Santa at the club. But, for the past 2 years we have missed it because of baseball. This year, we went to see Enchanted Airlie with Pop and Nana. (We missed Nancy and Bro and the cousins but hope they can make it next year.) Airlie Gardens is a public garden they decorate every year for Christmas, and let me tell you, Santa is wonderful! The little boy before us asked Santa for a wii, and he kept telling him the bathroom was just outside the tent. We were all chuckling. When our kids got to Santa, I wasn't sure how it would go. Let's just say that Santa knew exactly what to say to my kids. He told them to stop fighting with each other and to stop whining. Let me just say that those 2 behaviors had been in full swing in our house, so he couldn't have encouraged our parenting any more! Ann Bennett was so surprised that she would hardly talk to him. It was a great memory.

They also have really cool model train scenes set up. They apparently have one of the largest outdoor tracks in the US or maybe the southeast, I don't remember. But, all of us enjoyed watching them. There is something very calming about watching the trains. I had a hard time getting a good picture of the tracks, but I thought the blurry one below was kind of cool.

Ann Bennett LOVES to have her picture taken beside any statue, and it seems that lights are perfect for pictures as well.

This is the only picture I have with Nana and Pop. Can you believe how bad it is? I need a new camera! But, I think it is kind of down the list.

Bryant took this picture.

Finally, I just think this is a cool picture. I hope you enjoy your Christmas lights in February.

Christmas Did Happen

I know it is now February, so a Christmas post is too old. But, oh well. That seems to be the norm around here. We had a really good Christmas. After the year we had, it made Christmas all the more special. We started December with a baseball tournament in Myrtle Beach -- on my birthday of course. Tournaments are common in our house, but the MB one is always fun because we stay at a great place (http://www.dunesvillage.com/) that is cheap in December and has an amazing indoor water park. The kids have fun playing with their friends, and we never even have to put on our bathing suits. This year it was special because Mom and Randy were able to meet us there! Mom has wanted to come watch Bryant play since we played in MB in July. She was not ready for the trip at that time, and she was very disappointed. Some of Randy's family live in MB, so he had a chance to visit with them. We all watched some VERY cold baseball, and they came back home with us for a few days before heading back to their home. I managed to forget to take a single picture at the ballpark. I guess it feels like I've taken a gazillion pictures at baseball parks and didn't consider I might want a picture of Mom at the game. I did get a picture of them at our house. Mom kept me running all week, but we got a lot of shopping done. Mom also managed to help Bryant with his science fair project which involved making homemade ice cream.