Just a fun pic

This is out of order, but on Christmas Eve Eve, Kathryn and I had a "stay at home day."  We spent the day playing, watching movies, and playing some more.  We had a great day together.  One thing we played was "Zoo."  This is where Kathryn took her baby in her stroller and put her puppy on her leash, and everyone went to see the animals at the zoo.  I love the imagination of a three year old.

Merry Christmas Eve

This has been a wonderful Christmas Eve, and I know tomorrow will be even better!  We started out the morning by going to Mimi and Papa's for breakfast.  Papa fixed up a big spread, and it was yummy.  After breakfast, we came home to spend some time with Bailey and to fix up some things to take to Mimi and Papa's for lunch.  This year, Uncle Joe and Aunt Charlotte joined us.  We ate a late lunch/early dinner.  Kathryn loved the steak.  This is unusual since generally she doesn't eat much meat.  After lunch, we opened presents.  Kyle and I received lots of goodies, and Kathryn did too.  Kathryn got tons of clothes, a beautiful navy coat, a pair of Hunter rain boots, a pair of cowgirl boots, a wallet, a purse, and a refrigerate.  She received a ceramic tea set from Uncle Joe and Aunt Charlotte...this has been one of her favorite gifts.  AND, from Uncle Michael and Uncle Jay, she received a Pink Escalade.  Kathryn immediately wanted to drive the car (or as Kathryn calls it her "tractor").  She hopped right in and began pressing the pedals.  She has some learning to do, but overall, she did pretty well.  Listening to Kyle's frustration when trying to instruct her on how to drive made me think of how much fun real driving lessons will be one day.
Next, Kyle, Kathryn, and I went to our church service.  This is an important tradition for us.  While Christmas is lots of fun for many reasons, we always want to instill in Kathryn the true meaning of the season.  Kathryn did pretty well in "Big Church."  During the Lord's Supper, after Kyle and I took the drink, Kathryn said in a soft, sweet voice, "I wish I was grown up."  I guess she realized all the adults were partaking in the Lord's Supper, and she wanted to participate too.  Never the less, I cracked up laughing.
After church, we went back to Mimi and Papa's for dessert, and then we headed home.  Uncle Joe and Aunt Charlotte gave us some "reindeer food" so Kathryn and Kyle sprinkled that outside.  Next we wrote a letter to Santa and finally left cookies on a plate for him.  Before going to bed, Kathryn told our elf Buddy good-bye.  I know she will be ready for Buddy to come back next year.  And, after three stories, Kathryn went to bed and did not get up one single time.  This is a huge success!  This Christmas Eve seemed less stressful than any other year, and we have had a great time being together.  Merry Christmas Eve!

Painting Ballerinas

This picture was sent to me from The Red Barn.  This is Kathryn on her "Dance Day" painting with some friends.  So sweet!!!!!

A few of Kathryn's favorite things...Christmas style

With the start of the Christmas season, Kathryn quickly developed some new favorite (holiday) things.

1. The movie Home Alone...she LOVES this movie (we watch it every single day) and it is the first non-animated movie she has ever watched
2. Her Advent Calendar...everyday she asks to move the Candy Cane to the new number
3. Christmas songs especially Jingle Bells and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
4. Santa...she has enjoyed seeing him in person at various places
5. Her Santa video (made by Momma Pam)
6. Christmas candy and cookies
7. Buddy, her elf on the shelf
8. Christmas clothes and pjs...she has loved wearing all her Christmas outfits (she and I will go through withdrawals after Christmas, I feel sure!)
9. All the Christmas editions of her Nick Jr. Shows especially Dora AKA Swiper's on the Naughty List
10. Seeing Christmas lights on homes and around town

Annual Bunco Progressive Dinner

Each year, my bunco group coordinates a Progressive Dinner.  It is always a fun filled night.  This year, we had appetizers and salads at Katie's house, the main course at Amelia's, and dessert at Haven's.  I think this might have been the best year yet.  The food was DELISH, and the Dirty Santa was even better.  I always enjoy spending time with my bunco girls.  We have been a group for a long time, and I look forward to all the years to come!

Annual Kids Christmas Party

Every year, the Hales have us over for a Christmas party.  This party is for all the children, and it is always a blast.  This year, Kathryn had such a great time, and Kyle and I enjoyed catching up with everyone too.  Last night was the party.  First, the kids played for a bit.

Then ate pizza and began crafts.  They made a Reindeer Headpiece.

And then made an ornament.

Afterwards they decorated cookies for Santa.  Kathryn loved decorating with the "sparkles" aka sprinkles.

 Afterwards, we made all the kids sit together for a group shot...they didn't seem to mind.

Take 1
Campbell, Kathryn, Chloe, Greyson, Jack, Alec, and Ireland

Take 2

The night ended with the kids exchanging gifts.  Campbell drew Kathryn's name and gifted her stickers, a notepad, and colors.  The absolute perfect gift because Kathryn loves all those things.

This year's party was awesome!  Thank you Amelia and Andrew for including us in this Christmas tradition!!!

Christmas in Camden 2011

This past Sunday, we celebrated Christmas with Grandmother, Aunt Sandy, Jonathan, and Greg.  Papa, Uncle Jay, Kyle, Kathryn, and I left early Sunday morning and made the drive to Camden.  Our trips there are always fun.  Kathryn loves seeing her extended family.  We always have lots to eat and delicious desserts.  After we ate a huge lunch, we all exchanged gifts.  Kathryn received a kitten puzzle and a Barbie make up kit.  She loved both gifts.  She has really been into make up lately, so this gift was perfect.  Christmas in Camden 2011 was a success!

With Grandmother and Aunt Sandy

Loving her Barbie make up kit

The Naughty List?

For several weeks now, bedtime has been such a struggle in our house.  Kathryn cries, she wants to sleep in our bed (which for the record, she has NEVER slept with us), and overall she just really fights staying in her room.  Last night, we explained to her that Buddy (her elf) was watching, and if she didn't go to bed like a big girl, then Buddy would report that news to Santa, and Buddy might not come back in the morning.  Finally, she stopped crying and went to bed, after about an hour worth of struggling.  During this process, we have asked her why she is upset about staying in her room, and her response every single time is "because." 

This morning, Kyle went to wake her up (as he does every morning because I am at work before she even gets out of bed), and he said she rolled over and the first thing she asked was, "Daddy, am I on the naughty list?"  Kyle said it broke his heart, and it breaks mine too!  Kyle explained to her that he wasn't sure, but he knew that she had to sleep in her bed each night.  Buddy did not come back to our house this morning.  Kyle explained to her that if she went to bed tonight without crying, that Buddy would be back tomorrow.  Kathryn did tell Kyle on the way to school this morning that her room was scary.  We are going to turn on an extra nightlight tonight.  We are hoping and praying tonight is a better night at bedtime.  And, we are hoping Buddy comes back tomorrow, and Kathryn's name is on the Nice List. 

One more video

I didn't realize Kyle shot three videos.  This was actually the first performance. 

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Kathryn's Christmas Program

Kyle shot two videos.  We were so proud of our girl.  She did a great job!  Merry Christmas! 

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Lights on the Cumberland

Admiring the lights

Every year, Clarksville has a huge display of lights on the Cumberland River.  This was our first year to walk the path and see them up close.  I will have to say, I was pretty impressed for Clarksville.  And, Kathryn loved the whole experience.  We met up with a few friends (Jack and Alec) to see the festive displays.  It was a great night, and I think seeing these lights will become a Christmas tradition for the Luther family.

With Alec and Jack

Friends

Sportin' The Rental

So, I got up this morning and had a flat tire...a screw was lodged in there and I guess overnight all the air seeped out.  None the less, after I realized it was going to take Kyle awhile to change the tire, I decided to take his rental car (he is driving a rental because his car is being fixed from where a deer ran into him).  I loaded Kathryn up to take her to school.  As I was buckling her in she said, "Mommy, you have to be careful in this car."  I said, "I know, we have to be careful all the time in a car."  Kathryn said, "Yeah, but this is Daddy's rental car so we have to be real careful."  She was so articulate and matter of fact when she said this.  It was too funny!

A Lanham Playdate

Last night, Kathryn and I went to the Lanham's for dinner and a playdate.  Kyle had a Kiwanis board meeting so he couldn't make it this time.  None the less, I had a great time catching up with Stephanie and Rob, and Kathryn has a blast playing with Holden (aka her boyfriend).  They were so cute playing together.  Right before we left, I wanted to get a picture of the two of them.  They were hamming it up for the camera.  After each shot, they wanted to see the picture and take another one!  They are so silly!!!!!

Eating Cookies

Watching a little TV

So Cute

And Sweet

Kathryn loves her friend Holden!

Dancing and Watching the Tree Spin

Admiring the Tree

Posing for a Pic

Sunday after church, we went to Mimi and Papa's to help them decorate for Christmas.  Kathryn loved this little musical tree.  She would push the button to play the music and then would start dancing....TOO CUTE!

After a couple of hours of decorating, we headed home and put on our pjs, and spent the rest of the day being lazy.  Oh, and we watched Home Alone for the 100th time.  Kathryn LOVES Home Alone.  It is the first non-animated movie she has actually sit down to watch. 

Wearing Daddy's Cap

CHEESE!

My First Pinterest Project

Saturday morning, I decided to attempt my first Pinterest Project...Hand Print Ornaments.  Much to my surprise, they were super quick and easy to make.  It was just a cup of salt, 4 cups of flour, and gradually add water until doughy.  Next, I picked up a glob, rolled it out, had Kathryn put her hand in it, and used a straw to make a hole.  That was it! Next time, I will use the extra dough to cut out fun shapes and allow Kathryn to paint them, but I thought for the first time around, we did a pretty good job.

Christmas Parties Are In Full Effect

December 1st was my first party of the season.  I had the Planter's Bank Annual Women's Party.  This party is always filled with delicious food and a fun gift exchange.  This past Sunday, Kyle and I had the "Spouse" Planter's Bank Christmas Party.  I was so excited about this one because I got to the the Site's newly renovated home.  Yes, I love to look at homes!  Thursday night, we had two parties.  The first one was in Hopkinsville at Griffin McCoy's home.  Every year, Santa comes to his house for this event.  Pictures are taken with Santa, printed on site, and put in a festive frame.  We are given the frame and picture before leaving.  In addition to seeing Santa, we also get to partake in lots of yummy food.  The spread is always impressive!  After Griffin's party, I headed to the Junior Auxiliary PJ Christmas party.  This is always a fun event, and my favorite part is the Dirty Santa ornament exchange.  This year, I got a Junior Auxiliary ornament.  I was so excited!  This is my last year in JA, and I really wanted the ornament to remind me of my time as an active member.

Kathryn sitting with Santa at Griffin's party

My Junior Auxiliary Ornament

Fran, Brittnye, and Me in our PJs at the JA Party