Wilson Family Christmas

We made our way to Pensacola on December 29. Mama Charlie kept telling people that she hadn't had Christmas until all four boys and their families were all together under her roof. And that's exactly what took place on Monday night. We all gathered for food, fun, fellowship, and of course, lots of frolic! Cole and Mary Conlee had a great time playing with their cousins. This gave their moms and dads plenty of time to visit and catch up with each other, too. Each time we are gathered around the dinner table, Judd manages to get something started and his choice of topics keep us all laughing! After dinner, we opened our Christmas presents. With 7 grand kids, 4 boys and their wives, and Bob Bob and Mama Charlie delving into packages, it can be a little overwhelming. Mama Charlie enjoys watching us open our Christmas surprises. She had an extra special treat this year for all the girls. Something she says she NEVER leaves the house without. For full details, see photo below!

Cole and MC had a sleep over next door at Uncle Denny and Aunt Gena's new house. This is also Judd's parents' old house. So it was nice to be able to go back and forth between houses. Cole stayed up with the boys watching Indiana Jones until midnight. Mary Conlee watched Kit Kittredge as long as she could, but gave in at 11:15 and begged to go back to Mama Charlie and Bob Bob's. The kids played in the park right across the street, jumped on Catie and Mac's trampoline, made gingerbread men with the cousins and Ben and Maggie(Catie and Mac's other cousins), and many more things we probably know NOTHING about. What a great way to end the year- surrounded by family!

Catie, Allie, and Mary Conlee
 

Charlie Pierce, Cole, and Mac
 

Kemper and MC
 

The Grands- ages 6-16!
 

The brothers- Kemp (50), Charlie (42), Denny (40), and Judd (37)
 

The boys' gifts
 

High School Musical dancemats for the girls
 

Gena is thinking, "NO SHE DIDN'T!" Our mother-in-law has a sense of humor!
 

COOL- night vision goggles
 

Singing karaoke with our iPods
 

The cutest little bed bugs! (MC, Maggie, Allie, and Catie)


Decorating our gingerbread men
 

Eating our decorations is more fun!
 

Our gingerbread man project is finished!
 

MC's favorite thing to do is help Mama Charlie in the kitchen


Thanks for a great trip, Bob Bob and Mama Charlie
 

The new Dixie Chicks

Lounging with the Luncefords

I like to call the Luncefords- Michael, Missy, John, and Anna- our oldest friends in Tupelo. To be more correct, they were our FIRST friends we met when we moved here, almost 12 years ago! What started as a friendly after church Sunday lunch has grown into a sweet friendship between two families! They share our love for the Waffle House, sweet tea, and singing karaoke. These are all things we used to do with the Luncefords BK- before kids! Missy loves cooking, gardening, and being one with nature. That's how she became fast friends with my Granny- who brought Missy some snowflake hydrangeas to plant in HER yard, not mine! Somehow Granny knew they would be more appreciated and cared for at Missy's house! Their summer blooms are a constant reminder of my sweet Granny and of the precious friendship formed years ago. Now the Luncefords have a found a special place in the hearts of Cole and Mary Conlee. Missy loves to have tea parties and has invited the kids over many times to join her. Even Cole loves to go! This year, we enjoyed an after Christmas celebration at their home- complete with wassail, goodies, and a warm fire! We are thankful that God brought them into our lives.

Drinking wassail with Anna
 

Missy, Michael, Mary Conlee, and Cole
 

We're into the coffee now!
 

The queen of tea parties
 

Merry Christmas!

On Christmas Eve, we attended the candlelight service at our church before heading home to get ready for Santa's arrival. We left him cookies and milk, along with a letter and some drawings. We also left some reindeer feed on the front porch. It was very easy to get the kids in bed--not a peep nor a sound!

Fast forward to Christmas morning. Judd and I awoke at 6:30 to the excited voices of Cole and Mary Conlee. "Wake up, wake up! He came! He brought me the laptop! Santa really does make all your dreams come true," Cole exclaimed! So, we all hopped out of bed and began the opening of presents. Paper, ribbons, and tissue paper were flying everywhere. From toys to games, clothes and electronics, everyone had a super Christmas. The laptop was Cole's favorite gift. Santa also brought blue and pink iPods, a password journal, Webkinz, and a few other surprises. The one and only gift on MC's list was the password journal. Apparently, the cold weather from the trip on the sleigh affected it because it was defective upon arrival. After a few tears shed by both mother and daughter, Daddy made a call to Santa and he told us he would take care of it. We are going to switch it out tomorrow at Toys R Us, hopefully they will have one in stock. Aunt Jen told MC that the reindeer probably played with it too much on their way to Tupelo. She was satisfied with that answer and is looking forward to getting another journal soon! Santa remembered Brody and brought him a special pet fountain, which MC demonstrated for him.

We were all glad to see that Santa snacked on the reindeer cookies and milk we left for him. The reindeer feed was all gone, except for a little glitter that was stuck to the plate. The most exciting thing was the bell we found on the front steps. It must have fallen off of Santa's sleigh or from the reindeer's harness. Cole says he saw a red light shining outside his window and knew it was Rudolph checking on him! Santa left a note, promising to take good care of Henry until next year.

We had a breakfast brunch and enjoyed playing with Bubbe and Pop before they went back to Birmingham. We spent the rest of the day, still in our Christmas pajamas, playing with toys and taking long naps! One of the greatest highlights of the day was the loose tooth that made it's way out of Mary Conlee's mouth. Bubbe told her that the Christmas Tooth Fairy would make a special visit to see her. Automatically, MC decided that meant this fairy would bring her a little present instead of money. We are pretty scarce on any extra toys hidden away for times such as these. Thank goodness for Walgreens being open 24/7, 365 days a year. After all, our little angel deserves something special after the journal incident!

We made our traditional pilgrimage to the Waffle House for Christmas dinner. Why Waffle House, you ask? It's the only place open on on Christmas! We've done it for years! Then we went to see the lights and sounds of Cottonplant- just down the road from New Albany. I can't think of a more fun way to spend Christmas than with family, enjoying the simple things in life. "But I heard him exclaim,‘ere he drove out of sight, Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Candlelight at Calvary


Inspecting the reindeer feed and finding the bell
 

Discovering the goods from Santa
 

The fateful password journal
 

His and hers iPods
 

I'm Mrs. John Parker Wilson (#14) to you!
 

Watch me first!
 

Brody catches on
 

We stayed in our Christmas pjs all day
 

The Christmas tooth
 

Waffle House on Christmas
 

Trip to Cottonplant
 

Isn't the Grinch silly?
 

Hot chocolate...yum!
 

Cookies for Santa

 

 

 

 

I think we are the last people in town to make the adorable reindeer cookies. I've seen them on at least 3 or 4 of my friends' blogs and they look cute and simple! I think they are the greatest idea because there is no mixing, rolling, cutting, or baking involved. I spread out some wax paper for each kid and let them create their own versions of Rudolph. Even Bubbe got into it! I think they ate more than they fixed, but that was the whole point. Now we have cookies for Santa to go along with the "Magic Reindeer Feed" for all of his reindeer. Maybe I will be more "Martha Stewart" next year with the baking...we'll see. Be careful on your way to Tupelo, Santa Claus! And take good care of Henry the Elf until next year.

Birthday Bowl

Having a birthday so close to Christmas might not sound like much fun, but it never has phased Cole. We try to make a big deal about his birthday eventhough it is only 5 days before Christmas. We have always had his parties during Christmas break, so he enjoys celebrating with friends while school is out. We've had his parties at home, Fire Station #1, Adventureland, Skate Zone, the Wellness Center pool, and now the Rebelanes Bowling Alley. The only bowling our kids have ever done has strictly been on our Wii, so this was a new experience for them. Their favorite part was wearing the bowling shoes. Do you think they Germ-X those between uses? Cole managed to lift the heavy ball, but Mary Conlee opted for the metal apparatus that held the ball in place! After we bowled, we went to the "party room" where the kids feasted on hot dogs, chips, and cake. The guests all signed a bowling pin and Rebelanes gave it to Cole as a party favor. So we have officially celebrated his "coming of 8." How do we keep the spirit alive all through the year until the next birthday comes around? My Granny always said that's what 1/2 birthdays are for...and Cole's will be here on June 20!

Cole's party at Rebelanes
 

Getting ready to bowl
 

Causey is aiming for a strike!
 

A group effort to help Merritt bowl
 

Big boy, Bounds!
 

Birthday bowler
 

Sara Frances takes her turn
 

Dalton and Mary Conlee
 

Caroline, Mary Alice, and Taylor
 

Meri Alan watches for her strike
 

Vic is waiting for his yellow ball
 

Cole's Speed Racer "8" cake
 

Making a wish!
 

"I can write my name, too, Mr. Judd!" -Bounds Simmons
 

Sara Frances and Mary Conlee enjoying their cake
 

Causey and Bounds
 

Will,Cole, and Jackson digging in!
 

Merritt and Mary Alice
 

Jackson, Cole, and Woody have named themselves the "Triplets- brother from another mother!"
 

Silly siblings
 

Cole's bowling pin