This blog spot is primarily a photo/memory album for our family. It also serves as a way for us to share what is going on in our lives with our friends and family that don't see us on a regular basis. Ashley, Worth, Ellie, Emma, and Mack
This week was Thanksgiving, and the beginning of the Christmas season for our family. It seems like both of our families are always in different directions during the Thanksgiving holidays. This year was no different, and Worth was on call the Wednesday before Thanksgiving day. I decided to host Thanksgiving lunch at my house since Worth would most likely work most of the previous night, and I thought it would be easier on him instead of traveling anywhere.
Mia was in Augusta with her mom (Grandmama Cavaleri,) the Berryman's were at the farm in Lincolnton, GA with Jay's family, and Amos, Anna and baby Hardy were in Augusta with Anna's family. That left Worth, myself, Ellie, Emma, Mack, E.W., Sa, Grandma, and Papa to celebrate here in Valdosta. We had tons of food which I failed to take pictures of,😞 the girls put on a small skit about Thanksgiving, and we all probably ate more than we needed to. It was a very relaxing afternoon. Worth and I were so very thankful to spend time with those precious family members despite missing the others.
Friday morning we headed to Hambrick's tree farm to pick out the perfect Christmas tree. It took us a while to decide. When you have 5 people with varying opinions of a perfect tree, it can take a while. We finally agreed on a tree and headed home to decorate it.
The rest of the weekend Worth and the kids worked on the outside of the house. Well, Worth worked and the kids played. Worth really gets into the outdoor decorations, so I just let him do his thing. I handle inside, he handles the outside. It looks so good this year! I took a short video that I will post on here, but Worth says he's got a few more lights to hang.
Emma made her Christmas list for Santa already. She had to interpret for me.
The table was all set for Thanksgiving!
Since it was raining out, Emma and Mack played in the garage until lunch was ready. Yes, Mack wore the ironman/avenger(?) costume the ENTIRE time. My mom kept them Tuesday night so I could work on preparing food. She took them to a thrift store, and Mack found this costume, and of course, my mother bought it for him. I finally made him take it off yesterday, so I could wash it. He had worn and slept in it since Tuesday, it was pretty gross.
The turkey was busy frying.
Sa, Worth, and E,W, having a serious discussion while enjoying their bloody marys.
Ellie produced, directed, and performed in a skit for us. This was the program she made.
I attempted a coconut chiffon cake this year. It turned out pretty good! I didn't get a picture before we started cutting into it.
This was around 5:00pm Thanksgiving night. They were pooped!
At the tree farm!
The hunt is on!
ALWAYS performing
And the winner is....
Worth let Mack hold the saw. Mack was more excited about that than the tree Worth had just cut down.
Our Elf, Red, comes the morning after Thanksgiving day. Amazingly, he showed up on time again this year, with a note! That Red is one smart elf!
We got the Christmas music cranked up, and Emma got to hang the first ornament.
I caught Worth dancing with the girls while they were decorating. It was too cute to pass up taking a picture.
This week was full of Thanksgiving celebrations and this weekend we headed to Athens for another UGA home football game. It's been much easier traveling to the games now that Mack is a little older and can be somewhat tolerated without a nap.
Mack's school had their annual Thanksgiving feast on Friday and it was so cute (as always.) Each age group sang a couple of songs and then the kids headed to the fellowship hall for a big snack. Mack has been singing his songs to me for the last 2 weeks, so I was glad that he could finally perform them officially.
We were able to stay with The Berrymans for the holidays and it was so much fun. The cousins got quality time in and the Berrymans, as always, were excellent hosts. The Dawgs won, which made for an even better time. When we left town on Sunday, we decided to swing by Amos and Anna's to see baby Hardy one more time. He is growing so fast and such a good baby!
Emma had a final get together with her soccer team on Thursday night to receive their trophies. This is Emma with her coach, Josh. This man was so patient with these 1st and 2nd graders. Emma learned so much and is very sad to see the end of this soccer season.
Mack's class were the turkeys in the Thanksgiving program
Mack acting like a big boy.
This is all 3 of the 3 year old preschool classes.
Their "feast"
It took him a while to shed his turkey hat. He was so very proud of it!
We made it to Athens Friday night. Ellie immediately got some love from Grey.
All the cousins at the tailgate Saturday morning. Banks wasn't feeling so hot, but he held on like a trooper.
T-R-O-U-B-L-E
The boys hung out on the cooler while the girls threw the football around.
The Berrymans, Bowers, and Deans (minus Banks and Grey)
We sent Mack home with Kate and the other boys so we could enjoy a game.
Sweet baby Hardy! I had some other pictures I was trying to post, but for whatever reason blogger isn't uploading them.
The kids got some special letters from Santa when we got home Sunday. They were so excited!
Emma had strep 10 days ago and has been on an antibiotic. This is what it has done to her.
We are getting closer and closer to the Nutcracker performance. Emma will perform her for the first time in the Nutcracker this year as a mouse. This week, I had to attend a parent observation in her class to check costumes, get back stage instructions, etc. It was so much fun to watch Emma do her dance. She has a HUGE class, so there will be tons of little mice onstage this year.
Saturday, we all attended the final soccer games. Mack had one game, and Emma had to do tournament play. Emma had come down with strep this past week, and I thought about not letting her play. When I decided to tell her this she immediately had a meltdown. I know part of the tears were primarily due to exhaustion and sickness, but she genuinely wanted to play her last game. By Saturday morning, she had not run a fever in 24 hours and had had 2 doses of her antibiotic. She was acting normally, so I let her go. She begged, and when Emma begs, no one can say no. She honestly had no other symptoms other than the previous mild fever and sore throat. I almost didn't even take her to be checked for strep, but Worth thought we needed to.
Emma's team won their first game, but missed the chance of the playoff in their second game. They all played so well and worked so hard. There was a big improvement in Emma's soccer playing from her first game to her last this season. Mack, showed some improvement as well. I was so proud of both of my little soccer players this year, even if it was exhausting!
Our little mouse on a horse. These costumes were handmade over 20 years ago. Some of them are showing it. Emma's costume is good though and will hold up for the performance. 🙏
Lining up, I didn't video because it is so hard to do it in the studio with such limited space. the girls were practically dancing n top of us, and a mother in front of me had the most massive double stroller I had ever seen for her twin babies.
Waiting patiently to start
They had some free dance time, and siblings could join in. I'm not really sure why Mack when out there, he just stood at the bar most of the time and refused to dance.
They do love each other sometimes. I have to document when it happens.
Emma practicing her kicks.
....and leaps
I couldn't resist getting a picture of her and her tongue. She did this almost the entire time. She was concentrating so hard!
Mack at his final soccer game.
I didn't get any great pictures, but I promise he played so well!
I though the little girls on the sidelines were cute snuggled up in their blankets. It was FREEZING (for south GA.)
Emma in action.
Her and another girl on her team were snuggled up in blankets on the sidelines as well.
Lining up to shake hands with the other team. This was their final game and a loss. They were all so upset, but they played so well!
