Sick again...

Well, the past two weeks had a few extra events that I hadn't planned on!  Last Sunday night...Emma started running a fever out of the blue.  No one we knew had been sick.  I really thought she had a UTI because of several other symptoms...but after a visit to the doctor on Monday...that wasn't the case.  Later Monday afternoon she started coughing and it was was worse by Tuesday night.  I called the doctor on Wednesday and they told us to give her Bromfed (their go-to for everything) and to call back on Thursday if she wasn't better.  Well, we ended back at the doctor on Thursday and Emma had croup!  So, we started steroids and she seemed better by the weekend.  Saturday we had our 2nd Annual Christmas Baking Day!  My mom came over and helped me fix goodies to take to the neighbors, Mrs. Lynn, & the Dorn's (our old neighbors).  Emma & Evan had a great time helping.  Justin came home not too long after we started and took Evan to the woods with him to check cameras and put out corn.  He took Evan's tractor this time and it was a great idea.  Evan had a ball loading up his tractor with corn and dumping it.  After lunchtime, naps, & baths...we headed out to deliver our goodies.  We visited with Mrs. Lynn for a while and headed to Greenwood for supper. Since it was already dark before we really got started delivering good...we decided to wait and deliver Mr. & Mrs. Dorn's goodies until after church on Sunday.  They were so excited to see Emma & Evan!  Last year when we visited...Mr. Dorn was sick so they didn't get to see Emma & Evan.  After that we headed to Justin's moms for Christmas with them and his brother.  We had a good time socializing with them.  We noticed out there that Evan was a little hoarse but didn't really think anything of it.  After we got home and woke up from their naps...Evan was a little warm and by last night...he was burning up.  We knew he had croup too!  Every time he would cough...it literally sounded like Cody was barking.  Hints the name barking cough!  So, first thing this morning...we headed to the doctor for the 3rd time in a week!  He is now taking his steroids and will hopefully be much better soon!  As long as his fever is gone...he won't be contagious anymore.  So, we are hoping we get to attend our Christmas gathering since we missed Thanksgiving.  So, here are a few pictures of our weekend!  I don't have a picture of our finished Christmas Baked Goodies.  I took a picture on Justin's phone and he deleted my picture!  Oh well...you will just have to take my word that they were cute!  We made sausage balls, caramel popcorn (gold, red, & green), Ritz peanut butter crackers dipped in chocolate, & candied pecans!  It was all YUMMY!!

               

Here are E&E helping MaMa mix up the sausage balls.  They LOVE to help in the kitchen!

Since I don't have a finished product picture...this was our caramel popcorn.  It helped add some color to the basket!  

And this picture has nothing to do with anything...it just makes me smile to look at it.  We were sitting at the table eating supper and Emma had already finished.  I like to make them sit there until everyone is finished and it isn't but usually a few minutes that she has to wait.  In this picture she had pulled her shirt up over her head and was rocking the baby.  She said look Momma...I'm rocking baby Jesus.  She has seen a lot of pictures of Mary lately with her head covered...so she covered her head just like the pictures.  It just makes me smile...because they are retaining everything they see!!  We have been talking a lot about baby Jesus and his birth because we want them to know that is why we are celebrating.  It isn't for Santa or for presents...but a celebration of our Lord and Savior!  So, with that being said...lets just hope we are all well to celebrate the greatest birth ever!!   More Christmas updates...coming soon!

Let the Christmas Festivities begin...

Well, we are two weeks into December and we are in full swing when it comes to Christmas gatherings!  We started this past weekend.  Friday night was my work Christmas party.  We did something a little different this week.  We went to the Federal building for supper catered by Montagues.  Then we headed next door to the Community Theater for a Christmas benefit.  It was a Christmas concert by Ashby Stokes, the Colly Birds, & the Swinging Medallions.  It was a great concert!  I love Christmas music but these guys did an awesome job!  I have already talked several people into going back next year.  After it was over we went back to the Federal building for dessert and presents.  I didn't win anything again this year!  I won a camera several years ago and I think that is all I have ever won in over 11 years!  Saturday morning we headed over to Jillian's for a 1st annual Christmas brunch with all the kids!  They all had a great time.  By the looks of Jillian's house when we were getting ready to leave...they had a great time!  Here are a couple pictures I took from the party.

Warren & Bennett painting!

Emma, Evan, & Lillianna painting!

Evan takes his painting seriously!

My two cuties!!

Time to eat!!  Colby joined in for food! :)

Saturday afternoon we finally got to have our family pictures made.  I booked a session with Jennifer back in either September or October and we are just now getting it done.  The one weekend that was actually pretty weather and 

y mom just wanted a picture of the kids but we decided to do a family picture and each individual family picture, all the kids pictures individually, all the couples pictures, and the three sisters pictures.  So, even thought I am only posting a few...we took at lot of pictures!  

This was the best picture of the grandkids!  Laney & Reid cooperated with Emma & Evan holding them well!  Other than the one time Emma put Laney in a choke hold trying to hug her.  We rescued Laney pretty quickly though!  

The whole group shot!  I think it was pretty good to get all 12 of us to look at the same time!

                          

These were the two best shots of my sweeties!  

Sunday afternoon we had the Leopard family gathering with Justin's step-dad's family.  It is normally at the Sartin's house but since there were all sick...they had it at Mike& Dottie's house.  So, we headed out there for lunch and a present swap! This year they decided that instead of bringing other kids presents, we would just bring our own kid a present.  I just wrapped up something I had bought Santa to bring them.  Sunday night we headed back to church for our Christmas parties.  The kids did a "Christmas in the Barn" theme party.  They had to dress up like farmer's or cowboys & cowgirls.  We put this years Halloween costumes to use again!  While they partied downstairs...we had our party upstairs.  Everyone brought finger foods and we did the white elephant gift exchange.  Justin and I ended up with a gingerbread candle and water proof fishing pants.  Not too bad considering what other people ended up with.  I think Matt got the worst present!  We had a a good time socializing and eating!  Sunday night...Emma woke up running a fever.  So, we were stuck at home other than the time we spent at the doctor's office. I thought she might have a UTI but she didn't.  Everytihng checked out fine so we aren't sure what was causing this fever.  We got out the crafts I had given them Sunday at the Leopard gathering.  Painting always makes them feel better.  Here are my babies working away!!

She doesn't look too sick does she??

She was still running a fever today so I kept them home again today.  Hopefully they will be back at school tomorrow and back into a routine!  Christmas is approaching quickly!  We have to buy one more gift and we are finished!  Hope you all are enjoying these holidays and time spent with family and friends!

A birthday celebration and the Polar Express

Well, I am a little behind posting but better late than never right??  Last Wednesday, Katie & I celebrated our 31st birthday!  We are now IN our thirties!  Yikes!!  My day started off great.  First thing, Emma & Evan brought me my present and it was a new camera!  I have been wanting one for a while.  I love it!!  No more having to borrow Alison's camera when I want to take pictures!  We celebrated at work with cake like we do for everyone's birthday.  We didn't celebrate with family because Katie had a meeting but we celebrated Thursday night.  There...I got to put my new camera to use.  What better subjects to photograph than.... my sweet niece

 my sweet nephew...

 or my two sweet peas who were too busy playing with these little animals to let their momma take their picture??? 

I got a new pocketbook, boots, sweater, scarf, bracelet, & money from my family.  Overall it was a GREAT birthday!  Friday night, we headed over to Connie Maxwell for their Christmas program. We intended to get there at 6:30 for the live nativity.  Justin and Evan even left the woods early to be home by 5:45.  I didn't take into account the traffic that we would get stuck in trying to park.   So, we ended up getting there about 6:45.  We rode on the wagon ride, saw the farm animals, and drank some hot chocolate.  We saw lots of people we knew...so we talked a while too!  Saturday morning...we got up and headed off to Bryson City!  It was a yucky day!  It was raining and nasty!  We stopped in Anderson for lunch and were off again...only to get stuck in several small town parades!  The rain stopped and it was absolutely beautiful driving through the mountains.  There was fog everywhere! 

It was so neat seeing the mountain peaks above the clouds!  What a great chance to take some more pictures??  We went ahead and checked in the hotel and since Emma & Evan were snoozing in the car...we thought we'd get them inside and let them finish napping before changing into our pj's.  But we were wrong to ever think they'd keep sleeping once we got inside the hotel.  They were WIDE awake and ready to go!  That was just a power nap for them!!  So, we got dressed and headed to the train.  Here are the couple pictures we took while waiting in line to board the train and while we were waiting on the train ride to start.  

The train had just pulled back into the station!

Trying to pass the time with pictures as we waited for our ride!

And more pictures!

And we swapped kids...

And took more pictures!!

Finally they time came for us to board the train and they were so excited.  They looked out the window most of ride.  

Waiting to get started!

My handsome boys!

Our attempt at a group shot.  It wasn't happening!

You can barely see here but this is what we saw when we arrived at the North Pole.  Santa was in his sleigh waving at the kids.  We had talked to E&E and told them that Santa was going to be getting on the train with them.  I even asked them what they were going to tell Santa they wanted for Christmas.  Emma told me she wants a puppy, a baby, & a baby doll.  I am not sure what you tell your kids when they don't get what they ask Santa for.  Sorry child, but you aren't getting a puppy or a baby! :)  Evan told me he wanted apples & bananas to feed to the animals.  He has such a heart for animals!!  So, Santa boarded the train and they didn't panic.  They just looked at him.  He even gave them a present and they took it from him.  So, no screaming like I had anticipated!!  In the book...Santa gave the little boy a bell and that was what Santa gave all the kids on the train.  Evan was too cute. As Santa was coming back through our train car to leave...Evan grabbed his bell and said "I better give Santa his bell back".  Santa was giving all the kids five and when Evan held out his hand to give him the bell back...Santa thought Evan was trying to give him pound.  So, he bumped Evan's hand and went on.  Evan looked at me so seriously and said "But, I still have his bell".  It was so sweet.  I couldn't help but laugh and try to tell him it was meant for him to keep the bell.  It was a fun night.  The hot chocolate and cookie they served were so good.  It was definitely something I was glad we did with them.  So, now we are back into our weekly routine.  We actually made our teachers ornaments for school yesterday afternoon and will be working on their classmates ornaments hopefully tomorrow.  Christmas is sneaking up on me!!  Anyway...I highly suggest going on the Polar Express at least once!!  Happy Tuesday!!