Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! May Christ be with you today and into the new year.

Love,

The Tenneys

Cooking with Mutti

Morgan and her Mutti hit the kitchen earlier this week to make some Christmas goodies. Morgan made her Mutti's apron (with the embroidery and crafty help of Nannie), and Morgan's apron was a gift from her new friend Maggie (22 month old daughter of Mama's friend Jennifer Tate). She had a good time working with Mutti and scooping the candies out on to the tray.

Success!

After three years of pleading with Morgan to sit with Santa, smile, and actually SIT next to Santa, this year we have had success! Morgan hopped right up with the Man in the Red Suit with no reservations. When she was asked what she wanted Santa to bring her, she said "I don't know" WHAT?!?! This kid has changed her mind about one thousand times, now she doesn't know what she wants? Oh well, I guess that means whatever she gets she'll be happy with, right?

As Christmas nears, Morgan is getting anxious to open the presents under the tree. I keep reminding her that not only are we opening presents, but we are celebrating Jesus' birthday as well. I am trying to keep the focus where it should be, but I must admit that my 4 1/2 year old is focused on what she can see....the pile of presents under the tree! Oh well...I know deep down she knows that Christmas is about Christ, it's just hard when there are brightly wrapped surprises begging to be opened.

Morganisms

Here are a few of Morgan's current sayings:

Instead of: Move your meat, lose your seat.
Morganism: Lose your seat, lose your butt!

Instead of: You shocked me (as in static electricity)
Morganism: You specked me!

Mama said: "Gosh you are nosy!"
Morgan: Who's Nancy?

Mama said: "I haven't seen him in eons!"
Morgan: Who's Leon?

Daddy said: "If you would listen Daddy wouldn't have to put you in time out, would he?"
Morgan: My name's NOT Woody.

Today she said "The way I am is the way I am". How profound.

Making Gingerbread Houses

Today Morgan was invited to attend the Panama City Play Group's gingerbread house decorating party by her Florida buddy, Jackson. Jackson's mom, Tonia, Patrick, and I all were lifeguards together in 2000 here in Panama City. Morgan was excited to see Jackson again, after our visit with them in September.

There were over 40 kids there, ranging in age from very newborn to probably 5 or so. Morgan had a great time in the bounce house, playing on the swing set, and of course, decorating her house. She also watched some of Jim Carrey's The Grinch, which she enjoyed.

Preparing to decorate....there were so many things to put on the houses!

The finished product...complete with a giant M on the roof.

Thanks Tonia (and Jackson and Elena) for inviting us over for such a fun morning!

On the fourth day of Christmas...

After leaving Nannie and Big Pop's house, we began heading south toward Florida. We had planned a stop in Charlotte at Aunt Melanie and Uncle Patrick's house for a Christmas celebration with them and an overnight stop to break up our trip. We love spending time with the Strains and wish they lived closer!

Morgan and Aunt Melly (how Morgan pronounces Melanie) making sugar cookies...YUM!

And on the fourth day of Christmas, the Strains brought to Morgan...

A roaring Rex from Toy Story 3! She had asked for one, and Aunt Melanie went WAY out of her way to make sure Morgan got one.

A twilight lady bug. Morgan was totally over the moon. She loves Ethan's twilight turtle, and is so happy to have one of her own. She named her lady bug Tara, and spent all night shining the stars and moon on the ceiling (and occasionally in Mama's eye!).

New Scooby Doo movies, which she promptly watched and still enjoyed today on the last leg of our trip.

and a few coloring books, including this Scooby Doo one.

Morgan had a wonderful visit with her Aunt Melly and Uncle Patrick. She visited all of their kitties, giving toys and food to each. It's always way too short of a trip, but we are looking forward to seeing them again at the end of this month when we head back home.

Santa Train

While we continued our trip south toward the Strains' house in Charlotte, we had the opportunity to stop off in Spencer, NC at the NC Transportation Museum where we got to take a train ride with Santa! We met up with Morgan's godmother Melanie and Ethan, and our dear friend Jennifer and her daughter Maggie. Jen and I have been friends since 5th grade, and Mel joined the group in 6th grade. Because I am a military brat, and completed many moves since leaving Goldsboro, NC in 1993 I haven't retained many friends. But these two gals are very special to me and hold very special places in my heart and in my life (Jen was in our wedding, Mel is Morgan's godmother). It was so great to have the opportunity to do this fun event with both gals and their kids. It was Morgan's first time meeting Maggie, who is such a cutie!

Morgan (4 1/2 years)

Maggie Mae (22 months)

Ethan (4 months)

Ethan meeting Jennifer (Magoon) Tate.

Morgan was happy to be out of the car and stretching her legs. We had to wait about 25 minutes before we were able to board the train. We finally got on the train and got settled. The girls were both warming up to the group. Maggie was talking and dancing to the music. Morgan was pretty much thrilled with watching the train cars outside. And Ethan? Well he just charmed the pants off of his Auntie Jen!

Santa's elves came around and handed out candy canes and oranges. Then the big man himself made an appearance. Maggie was happy to see Santa. Ethan wasn't too impressed....he's already seen Santa twice already! Morgan was shy as expected. She isn't a big fan of strange men OR people dressed up (remember she's terrified of the Pirate Parrot and Chuck E Cheese!).

She loved the train though, and I have a feeling this will be a bi-annual stop as long as Morgan's Mutti and Papa live in FL.


Overall it was a great time. Three friends, 20 years, 2 of 3 kids.....back together for a short time. It was so great to spend time with the two ladies who meant so much to me in grade school (and still do!).

On the third day of Christmas...

As our Christmas celebrations continue, we drove our little blue sleigh south to Nannie and Big Pop's house so we could celebrate the day of our Lord's birth a little early with the Tenney family. As it is an even year, this Christmas Day we will be with Mutti and the rest of Mama's family, so we all gathered in central WV a little early to exchange gifts, laugh like crazies, and enjoy the company of family.


Morgan has been really enjoying this Christmas season. She loves that Christmas includes lots of time with her extended family. She asked Nannie today if she and Big Pop were packed and ready to go to Florida with us!


This is Morgan singing Run, Rudolph Run....about the little girl who wants a doll who cries and wets. It makes more sense if you can hear the song, I promise!


Morgan and Great-Grandma June. She sure does love her Grandma!

Helping to pass out the presents

Morgan and her stack of presents :)

So, on the third day of Christmas, Morgan received many gifts, including...

The Polar Express from Aunt Joyce and Uncle Phil

Aurora and her fairy godmothers from Aunt Amy and Uncle Chris

a Strawberry Shortcake remote control car (the biggest hit of the day)

Rapunzel

and a zebra striped dress from Great-Grandma Tenneyyyyyyyyy :)

Tomorrow we pack up here and begin our trek southward. We are looking forward to warmer weather, but we'll miss spending more holiday time with the Tenneys.

Pray for us tomorrow as we continue our travels.

Sledding!

For the first time since the girls have been alive, there has been enough snow while the whole family was at Nannie and Big Pop's to go sledding. I don't know who was happier, the girls or Janet :) It was COLD, but that didn't dissuade our happy crew from donning a ton of clothing and tromping up the hill behind the farm house to make many runs down the hill.

Making the first run with Julia

WHEEEEEEE.........(and a crash right after that!)

Our angel, making a snow angel

Once toes got frosty and noses were frozen, the girls headed back to the house. Before they came in, they decided to build the cutest snowman ever! Short and squat, it was adorable.

Building a snowman

The happy snowman building crew....Julia, Aunt Amy, and Mo

The finished, beautiful, snow-WOman

Pictures Preview #2

Here are a few more pictures from the photo shoot with Brianna after Thanksgiving. I couldn't show these earlier because the first picture was given as a Christmas gift from the grandkids to their grand and great-grandparents. I think the first picture is awesome....all three kids looking AND smiling at the camera!

Morgan (4 1/2), Julia (4), and Kole (1)

On the second day of Christmas...

On the second day of our Christmas celebration, as we prepare to fly south for the winter, we decided to let Morgan open her gifts from us and the gifts we had here already from family. Oh and the penguin above? Showed up on our doorstep with a note saying he was defecting from the arctic circle because it was too darn cold up there. His name is Rico and Morgan has fallen in love with him!

And on the second day of Christmas, the presents underneath our tree revealed:

Earmuffs, gloves, and a Dora Explorer hair accessories kit from Great-Aunt Karen

A Magic Light Brush set from Shay and Ethan

Beauty and the Beast, a travel art kit, and Alvin and the Chipmunks 2 for the ride south from Mama and Daddy,

a Hello Kitty Christmas stuffed animal from Morgan's little friend, Summer (4 months old!)

awesome green boots, clothes, and a clock puzzle from Great-Aunt Linda

and a Barbie and some great clothes from Great-Aunt Anita and Great-Uncle Richard!

I wonder what the third day of Christmas might bring?