Snow Day

The day after Christmas was a great one here in Memphis. We actually got a little snow! And a little snow gets us all excited here in the south.  My plan was to stay in, catch up on Christmas goodies, & even do some school planning.  All of that was accomplished & we enjoyed the day.

The morning started with some semi-homemade cinnamon rolls & fruit.  

We then progressed to enjoying Just Dance 4.  This is how I got a workout today :)

Dancing to One Direction

Then we decided to go outside before the snow melts.  Brook loves making snow angels.  

Brook in action with snowballs.  Isabella opted to stay inside.  

Papa  came to join us.

And he got Brook!

Having fun tossing snow.  And of course we saved some for the freezer to use for random science experiments, or maybe even some snow cream??

Christmas Morning

Happy Birthday Jesus!  

Day 3 of Christmas continues....Christmas morning at the Bridges' home.  Well, the girls are getting older & don't get up so early, even on Christmas morning.  I had to wake them up around 8:45 to get us going on our day!  They already knew of some gifts, but some were a surprise too.

Christmas morning family photo

Thanks Santa!  The girls with my dad.  So thankful.

The girls in their new sleeping bags watching A Christmas Story

And writing in their A Christmas Story notebooks!

Last night Avery gave the girls their gifts.  For Isabella, she got a purity ring.

And for Brook, a real (pink) bow and arrow

Awesome gifts from their aunt in SC

Fun gifts from grandparents in NC

Isabella's fashionable hat & coat from grandparents

More gifts from NC!

The best Christmas movie in my opinion.  If you haven't seen this, I recommend it.  We invited a family over to watch it with us last night.  It is such a reminder of the real challenges that took place surrounding the birth of Jesus.  It is a reminder that God came as a human to live, to feel what we feel, and then to suffer for our sins & die so that we could have eternal life with Him.  It is a reminder He came for all mankind.  For everyone.  For you.  

Christmas Eve

Every year our Christmas Eve tradition is to rotate to a family member's home for the Christmas meal & opening of presents.  For the first time, it was at our home this year.  We have the smallest home, but it all turned out just great.  We hosted 18 people here & really enjoyed having everyone.  Thankfully, it was a beautiful day...cold enough to need our outdoor heater & fire pit, but not too cold or too hot.  Thank you Lord for the great weather you provided.  Everyone brought food & I made turkey, dressing, gravy, rolls, & some veggies.  It was all delicious!  After the meal, we opened presents, which is always fun too. Very thankful.

Our dessert table

Outdoor drink station

Outdoor table (& we had some inside as well)

dressing & gravy

It's going fast!

Slow cookers & covered dishes..so yummy!

Homemade bread

Family photo

Grandkids with my parents

Isabella 

Brook

My gift...so excited since I am a big fan of The Pioneer Woman from the Food Network

Avery's new duck call...from the one & only Duck Commander...aka Duck Dynasty

3 Days of Christmas

A very Merry Christmas to each of you!!  We start our Christmas family celebrations on Dec. 23rd, so we have 3 days of Christmas activities! I hope you have enjoyed all of your celebrations.  Beginning with with Dec. 23rd, here are some highlights of the holiday weekend, including some decorations around our house:

The day started with doughnuts.....and a diet coke!

Brook made breakfast out of paper for her American Girl doll.  It was cute & creative!

Brook & her cousin went for a late night swim in the hot tub at my sister's house.

Kitchen table centerpiece with past Christmas crafts from the girls in the background

Yum...M&M's on a rolo on a pretzel.  The ultimate sweet & salty snack.  

The classic Poinsettia

My travel tree with decorations from some of the different places I've visited

3 little ornament tea light candle holders that I just think add the cutest touch!

Our front door...Welcome!

Grandest Hotel of the South

The Peabody Hotel is known as the grandest hotel of the south.  We have a yearly tradition of going with some friends to listen to a violin concert of students & see the beautiful decorations. It is a sight to see.

Friends with Isabella & Brook

The grand lobby with fountain and famous Peabody ducks

They always enjoy going in the "old-fashioned" phone booth!

Their elaborate gingerbread village