Christmas in Birmingham...

Each year Mom and Dad take our families to the Christmas dinner at The Club.  It is by far one of the best nights of the year!  The kids LOVE it - they get to see Santa, eat a fancy meal, and dance the night away!

We left a few days before Christmas day to go to Oklahoma, so we celebrated Christmas early with my family.  Words don't express how much I love these people. 

And of course our annual Santa pic... Watson was not sure what to think, while Emma was pretty sure what she thought...

Merry Christmas!!

First Annual Hill Christmas Party...

Graham and I have always wanted to have a Christmas party for our friends, but our townhome just wasn't the right time to start that!  So when we moved this year, we knew it was time for the First Annual Hill Christmas Party!  I did not focus on taking pictures like I wish I had...and therefore all of my pics are candids...but at least I have some documentation of the party!  We had a BLAST, though, and look forward to making this an annual Christmas tradition!

 Best pic I got, but we had a hot chocolate and apple cider bar

We had two of our awesome college students from church keep all the kids downstairs.  It was chaos...but I think they all (the kids at least :)) had fun!

Watson partied a little too hard and fell asleep in his Poppa's lap.  I'm pretty sure Poppa didn't mind it one bit!

Goal for next year: take better pics!    :)

December...

Lots of posts coming from this month!  We had lots of Christmas celebrations this year, but before I get to those, here are some other pictures from this month...

Boys will be boys...

So thankful for these two!

Decorating on a budget = lots of DIY projects.  This month I made the window valances and the window seat cushion. 

Mom and Dad kept our kiddos for 4 days so Graham and I could get away and go to Passion.  Graham is a team lead for them every year so it is a blast getting to be a part of this incredible event.  I didn't have a specific job this year, so I was able to hang out with Graham and help him when needed...I also got to sleep more than I have in the past two years.  It was WONDERFUL :)  We went over early to spend New Years Eve with some friends.  Here we are on the way to a NYE party...

Brittany and Brad have been dear friends of ours for years now.  We are so thankful for them and just wish we could see them more! We soak up all the time we can get!!

I love seeing these two play together.  They have built some serious towers this month :)

Shorts in December?  Welcome to Alabama weather!

 Leaves, leaves and more leaves... I thought we would NEVER get all of them up!!!

I loved Samford for many reasons, but the 4 girls in this picture are 4 of the biggest reasons!  We had a girls weekend this month in Birmingham!  It was a JOY spending time with them, as always!

My ESL class.  I love these ladies and the opportunity I have to teach them and several others every week.  My prayer is that my class is not just an English class, but a time for them to learn about Jesus and ultimately trust in Him as their Savior. 

Watson's preschool class had a "Happy Birthday Jesus" party after his Christmas program

 Sweetest niece and nephew on the planet.  Love them so much.

The cold wasn't keeping these two inside!

19 months...

This little girl will never understand just how much she is loved! 

She officially has her daddy wrapped around her little finger!

This picture shows so much about Emma.  The pants she has on are her favorite.  They are made out of the minky dot fabric and she calls them her "baby." (Pretty much anything really soft is referred to as a 'baby') She is wearing her brother's shoes..which she insisted on wearing.  She is crawling under the table..which shows her adventurous/always on the move side.  And of course, there is a 'papi' nearby!

She keeps us on our toes and laughing, that's for sure!

Sweet cuddles with Poppa..

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I can almost guarantee that she was saying "stop" in this picture.  She always raises her little hand up like that and says it.

She is loved by her brother so very much.  That feeling is definitely mutual!

This is right outside the preschool area at our church.  Every time we are leaving she has to play on the 'ark' for a little while.

War Eagle!

"The paint goes on me, right?  What's this paper for??"

Sweet girl has been tackled more in her 19 months than I ever have.  The joys of having a brother!

Cup?  Check.  Papi?  Check.  Puppy?  Check.

Sweet girl still has no problem with meal time.  I am oh so thankful that it is not a fight to get her to eat.  I realize what a blessing that is.

Emma LOVES to swing!  "I want sing" is a common phrase I hear!