First Time Skiing!

My Ski Bums

Paton's grandparents got him skis for Christmas this year. Since this is his first pair, they got the kind that straps in snow boots instead of actual ski boots. This morning the weather was nice and we still had snow in our front yard even though it hasn't snowed in weeks. I am proud to announce that Paton loved skiing and took to it like a duck to water! His smile tells all!

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas! Our morning started with Greg and I just chilling out while we waited for Paton to wake up. Once we did start, it was so much fun watching him enjoy opening the presents. Below is a gift he got from his friend "Trey-nina."

Last year, Nana and Papa Baker recorded their voices reading "The Night Before Christmas" and this year he really enjoyed "reading."

Paton got a fire truck complete with noise, fireman Billy, and shooting plastic water!

Later that evening, after Greg's parents flew in from GA, we opened the presents they bought him. We were thrilled to discover, among other thing, skis!

The computer was a hit!

Oh...and I need to say that my husband got me the best gift ever.....steer horns! Below is a pic of them in all their glory (please excuse my pjs). Later that morning, Greg mounted them on the wall.

Escape Artists

So this is how he's doing it! Thankfully, he won't now until I let him...that was not so a while ago.

Jumping Fun!

Caroling and Children's Program

 This past Saturday evening was our church's annual caroling at our local market. Along with the caroling, our children hand out to shoppers little candy packets that have an invitation to our candlelight Christmas Eve service. There was no way I could stand for both the 30 minute rehearsal and the actual caroling, so as you can see...I came prepared with a chair! One of our teens held Paton for me during the latter half of the caroling. As you can see below, he loves Rachel!

Yesterday was our church's annual children's Christmas program. Paton was asked to be a sheep along with the other lone sheep Luke. However, when I put the costume on him, Paton cried and said, "No like it, Mommy!" Oh well, there's always next year!

Gingerbread House Decorating

A friend of ours from church invited our family to their house for gingerbread house decorating. Upon arriving we discovered that this family had bought everyone their own house to decorate complete with a table full of any kind of candy you could think of. Thankfully, Paton was preoccupied with the excitement that one dog and two puppies could bring, so he didn't even offer to help decorate! This meant that Greg and I could focus all of our creative, competitive juices towards our project. Greg joked that decorating definitely tapped into his obsessive compulsive side!

After looking back over the evening, I've decided that next year I will strategize ahead of time what my decorating plan will be. Considering that I didn't grow up decorating gingerbread houses, I don't think I did too bad. Greg admitted later that he could have stayed up until midnight perfecting his house!

Below is Cherise playing with Paton and the giant purple exercise ball. That was a source of great fun! Also is Boomer, Cherise's miniature Schnauzer, on the couch with Paton. Yet another example of why we need a dog...every little boy needs a dog.

Several other folks were there that evening. On the left in the picture below is Katrina (Trey-nina or K-nina to Paton), then Amy and her mom Gloria. Kyla sits texting since she finished her "Snowman Church."

One of the highlights of my evening was watching Greg's focus as he built. He is convinced that his house is better than mine, and I do have to hand it to him...not too shabby, Baker!

Last is my house. As you can see, my scatterbrain design only proves my earlier position--that next year I will plan early exactly how I want my house!

Ladies' Ornament/Cookie Exchange

 In my opinion, December is one of the most fun months around here. There are so many excuses for us ladies to get together, and we certainly do take advantage of it! This weekend, we gathered for our annual ornament/cookie exchange. Above is a picture of the cookie table, and below you'll see the ottoman is covered with the different wrapped ornaments. My living room was just big enough for all 21 ladies! We conducted our ornament exchange much like the typical white elephant exchange where the gifts are opened one at a time and the next lady in the order can either steal an ornament already opened or choose an unwrapped ornament from the middle. Next year, I think I'll switch it up a bit. One of my ladies suggested opening all the ornaments in the first round, and then the second round is reserved for the "stealing." I'll think we'll try that method next year. One of our college girls stole the ornament I wanted--a pink, glass octopus.

 Two of the teens from my Sunday School class came. Together, they made a platter of cookies (they were my favorite cookies) and each brought their own ornament. I enjoy having them at our events for soon they will be college girls!

Below is a picture of my platter after I collect the customary 3 cookies from each variety. My husband is a happy man when he comes home after a cookie swap. Thankfully, Paton really isn't into cookies right now (so I don't have to share too much!).

 One of my ladies insisted on taking a picture of me...since I was the one behind the camera for the night. Below is a side profile of my pregnant self (I didn't realize until later that she took this one!). Charlotte was a busy baby that evening, and I think she sensed the excitement for it certainly felt like she was doing jumping jacks in there!

This is not the end of our Christmas gatherings. One week from today will be our church's annual Christmas Caroling at The Valley Market. And then our church has a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service every Christmas Eve. Looking forward to all of our upcoming events!