The Jarrett Family Journal: Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas from Atlanta! (better late than never)

What a year this has been and no doubt this holiday season flew by faster than we knew what hit us! We had a very nice Christmas and were so blessed to have been in good health so that everyone could fully enjoy the sights and sounds of the season. December was such a busy month, but we managed to pack in a ton of fun firsts and great memories.

In early December we had a great visit with Kurt's sister Lisa, Drew and Trey. They came up from Louisiana to see LSU clench the SEC Footbal Championship...sorry Dawg fans! Kurt, Drew and Trey got some great tickets to the game and had a blast. Drew also spoiled us with a huge pot of jambalaya - yum!!

Aunt Lisa also got to take in Blake's 1st basketball game during her visit. While the big boys went to the football game, Lisa and I took the boys to the Northpoint Mall in Alpharetta where we got to ride on a choo choo that goes through the mall. The boys loved that! We had such a fun day out with Aunt Lisa.

Erin and Hannah joined us as we went to a Christmas open house that featured real reindeer, carriage rides and a petting zoo at a church just down the road from our house. I had never pet a llama before...soooo soft and cute!

"oh what fun it is to ride...."

In mid-December, Kurt headed to London for work for a few days. Though I'm sure he missed us (hee hee) he had a great time and was able to attend the holiday party for their operations over there....it was at a super cool manor/turned hotel outside of London. He brought the boys soccer balls and new sweat suits back...which the loved of course!

And of course, at some point in mid December I got the baking & candy making bug and decided to make numerous batches of my famous fudge and tried out my new cake pop pan. Still have some finessing to do on this new treat idea, but I thought these turned out kind of cute.

The boys had fun opening their gifts from Mammaw and Pappaw. They were in their new jammies before I could get the camera out! And they love playing with their new art kits.

The Friday before Christmas, our new friends the Van Wagenen's invited us over for a small gathering to celebrate the holidays. We are so happy to have met them and their adorable boys. We appreciate them welcoming us into their circle of friends and family.

On Christmas Eve, we got to enjoy spending some time with the Steinemann's. I know I've said it before, but they are fantastic friends and we literally would not be sitting in Atlanta today had it not been for them. So happy to have them to experience all of these southern firsts with!

And finally the big event! We let the boys open one present each on Christmas Eve during the day and then on Christmas morning Blake was up around 7:30 and was giddy to see that Santa did indeed come. There was a bit of scare on Christmas Eve when the videos from Santa revealed that Luke had been placed on the naughty list due to his temper. :) Luckily he pulled through in the last hour and Santa ensured both of them had a nice little something under the tree.

Luke is my "cotton candy buddy" so it was only right as the small electrics buyer for Home Depot that I indulge him (i.e. us) in a cotton candy maker. And of course, so that Daddy and Blake did not feel left out...they got an ice cream maker.

Christmas morning fun...the boys with Luke's new Thomas Pirate Ship tracks.

Here was our tree after Santa must have come. ;)

The boys on Christmas Eve.

Opening a present on Christmas Eve. Blake got the Ninja Castle he had been wanting for months. I think our house has officially turned into the Imaginext aisle at Target.

Kurt had the opportunity to go to Blake's holiday party at Kindergarten. Blake had so much fun! Mrs. Barkley recreated the New Year's "peach drop" for them.

Christmas night we went for a drive through Life University where they had awesome light displays for $5/car. This is just a sample...of course you had to be there to fully enjoy it. :)