Almost Christmas

Katherine's friend Emily sent her a text asking if we could meet in up. We met at a park. Emily had brought Katherine a gift.

She made her a build a bear bunny and gave her a scrunchy for her hair.

The kids walked around the park with the dogs and masks and FROZE! It was so cold and windy.

We got a picture and then decided that it was time to go indoors.

We walked around the mall for a few minutes just so the girls could talk a bit. Emily lives in Chattanooga and we are in Knoxville, so they don't get to see each other that often.

Hudson, my little elf :)

Let the Christmas cookie baking begin!!

Katherine: Mom, I need to pop some popcorn and string it for the tree. Can I?  Me: I guess so. Why? Katherine: That's what they do on ALL the Hallmark Christmas movies!

Still hard at work...confetti cake cookies, Mexican wedding cake cookies, candy cane cookies, sugar cookies, double chocolate, and butterscotch oatmeal.

Handsome boy....last minute haircut before Christmas!

Girl puppies came to visit...they were hoping for puppies, but looks liek it will have to be another time. Just friends for now ;)

They look so much alike!

We loaded up and drove to Ma's to sing carols outside her window and pass gifts.

matching Christmas masks

Emily and Linus

Linus is not so sure about his new fur relatives :)

Regan made cookie bags for some of the nurses and doctors...dropping them off with a friend to take in

Celebrating Regan's REAL birthday with her choice meal...Panera.

We basically had the whole place to ourselves.

birthday cookie!

or should I say cookies! (chocolate chip and lemon)

What happens when you get all comfy cozy in the dog bed and watch a Christmas movie ;)

19 years

Hurry up Christmas! We are ready for a break from school :) but if you have to do school then it's gotta be with a dog and a blanket.

Hudson finally got his ears cleaned out at the ENT!! He has a hard time hearing sometimes and it's because of all the earwax. He makes solid earwax instead of sticky earwax. 

Well, Lauren has been taking dance in the States, but because of Covid parents were not allowed to watch. I love watching my kids do what they enjoy. and I've been curious as to how the classes are different from what she has always done. So, for Christmas they had a parent observation day. We were allowed to watch the modern dance and the ballet, but could not watch jazz (because the room was too small) It was great to see all that she has learned.

Lauren is the one flying through the air. 

Lauren's teacher, Lisa

Lauren's best friend, Hadassah, waited for her after class to deliver a Christmas gift.  I was waiting in the car. Lauren wasn't sure if she was supposed to open it or not, but realized that she should open it (in China they don't open a gift in front of others unless told to)

She loved it, especially the L ornament that she didn't see until later.

Hadassah also gave our family a box of assorted chocolates. I didn't realize that the kids had not see this before. So we learned all about guessing which one you wanted to try :)

Oh, the faces! Harder than she thought...she kept hoping for a caramel!

Anticipation

I think it will be good

It's not caramel!!! :) hahaha!

They were full, but wanted to try each one right then! So we ended up with a box of half eaten chocolate.

We celebrated 19 years :) We droppped the kids off with Auntie Em and headed to Pigeon Forge for the day. I wanted to go to the Christmas Place. We aloways get a selfie by a Christmas tree if we can find one. So, this huge angel tree was the first we saw.

Once inside, we found another tree! :)

WE found this cup while shopping. Jonathan thought that he should get this ;)

King Kong behind us

So this picture is from our dinner. It was delicious! So much so that I didn't take a single picture, but took a picture just before we left of the artwork on the wall. haha! Oh well. I enjoy some good artwork.

The rest of these are from Auntie Em and their adventures while the parents are away ;)

Making homemade calzones

Hudson helping Scout improve his vision ;)

Awe!