Christmas part 3 and ringing in the new year!

It has been a whirlwind Christmas holiday, and it's gone by way to fast. Here are some pictures from the last couple of weeks.

 First was our annual Christmas get together with the Bowers at their house in Tifton. All the cousins were together and there was plenty of food, wild gift opening, laughter, and just a few meltdowns:

 Before lunch, the kids that can read, read the Nativity story from Luke. Bo was added on this year as a reader.

Waiting patiently(ish) to have lunch

This was a sweet moment of Ellie reading to Banks

No caption needed. 

I thought Mack looked so much like Worth in this picture. 

huddled masses opening gifts

Who can open faster? 

Mia gave the kids ski jackets or their upcoming ski trip. They were so excited. 

Crafts make her day...anyday!

It was honestly a little less chaotic this year for some reason. 

The girls have been begging their Uncle Jay for t-shirts with his farm name on them. He delivered this year. 

We gave Grey a couch. He was a fan. 

New UGA clothes!

Ellie does love a good book.

An every kid gift from E.W.

There were UGA book bags in that box. Grey was modeling his. 

A Batman alarm clock from Auntie Kate to Mack. (The bowtie was in a bag full of bow ties from EW)

Cousin couch picture!

December 23rd we rode down to the Suwanee River light show in north Florida. It was only about 45 minutes away and so worth it! I took tons of pictures but only a few turned out very well. None of them could give it justice. You drive through most of it with your car radio tuned to their station and music plays in sync to the lights. Then, you park, get out and walk through some more lights to an area where there is a live band, a huge fire pit, and complementary hot chocolate and marshmallows for roasting over the fire.

Entering the lights

The dinosaur segment was one of Mack's favorites. 

My 3 walking in amazement at this light display. They were discussing options for their dad's display next year. 

It may have taken us until Christmas Eve, but we FINALLY got our  gingerbread house made. We had been so busy up to that point that it just hadn't happened yet. The kids were thrilled to get it together finally. It's been sitting in the kitchen for a month in the box. 

We attended the 6:00pm service at our church in Valdosta this year. Ellie was an acolyte and Worth had to give communion. It was a beautiful, yet very peaceful service. 

After church, we headed to Waffle House for dinner before driving around Valdosta to look at a few more lights. 

I couldn't slow Mack down to get a picture, he was so excited to get the reindeer food outside. 

Making sure those reindeer know where to land!

Christmas Eve 2018! These 3 made their own shoeboxes this year and made sure Santa had cookies and milk all without my help. 

Santa came!!

He left a note, apparently one of Ellie's gifts didn't fit inside our house. 

Emma got her purple hoverboard. She was outside later that afternoon and figured it out pretty quickly. 

Ellie got a journal. With all this reading she does, Santa probably thought she needed to start a little writing. 

Santa followed through with bringing Mack drums. 

The kids got a big gift from us, but they had to perform a scavenger hunt to obtain the puzzle pieces to put together to find out what the gift was:

Grandma and papa came bearing gifts later in the morning. 

BIG gifts

My children call my dad, Papa. I found this online and couldn't resist getting it for my dad. 

We finished the afternoon off with an outside fire, and some good wine before having steaks for dinner. 

A few days after Christmas, Amos, Anna, and Hardy came to town to celebrate Christmas with us and to attend the Chancey family Christmas party that was hosted by Matthew and Jesica in Thomasville this year. The Chancey Christmas theme this year was Feliz Navidad.

Hardy was an instant fan of the gifts grandma gave our kids. 

No worries Hardy, Grandma made sure you had a rocking horse that makes lots of noise! 

Ellie got one of these from Grandma when she was Hardy's age, and she wasn't too much of a fan initially. Hardy loved it. 

More crafting for the craft queen. 

Hardy's favorite thing to do all weekend was nap on Ellie. 

Breakfast time!

Emma preparing for Chancey Christmas!

Mariachi Mack

Elena Ellie

Bowers familia

Paco and his paci

Tift Familia

My mom sent me this too my dad the morning before we headed to Thomasville and  I almost spit out the water in my mouth I laughed so hard. 

And then there was my cousin, Mark

Grandma dressed well for the occasion also. 

I could not take him as seriously as Jesica is in this picture when he was talking. 

My cousin Ginger (Mark's wife,) and her brother, Jason. 

Part of the Chancey clan

The youngest few of the Chanceys

Sweet Will

Charlotte took a break in the stroller for a bit. 

a piñata got the festivities rolling

The kids each got a turn or two to hit it. 

Then there was a garage full of candy

After the piñata, it was time for the dirty santa gift exchange. 

Uncle Courtney was showing off his gift in hopes someone would steal it from him. 

Matt ended up with lots of hot chocolate and mugs (which I stole later in the game)

Amos got a fancy candle

The top side of our group shot. 

Once we were home Hardy was on a roll. 

Once again, Hardy, with belly out, ended up snoozing with Ellie. 

With school not back in yet, the kids have had plenty of time to play with their new toys. They decided to become a band and put on a show for us the other night. We had tickets and everything!

Emma was the ticket collector and announcer. She said she did not want to be  in the band. 

Ellie, of course, took the lead vocals and guitar.

Mack was the master drummer

The Bowers kids on the last day of 2018! In the yard, playing, ALL DAY!

Yesterday, I had to get out and run. I decided that Mack was finally old enough to ride his bike with the girls as I ran. He did so good following traffic rules in the neighborhood and staying with me. I had to snap this picture of them. I'm sure I looked like mama duck with her ducklings as we made our way around the neighborhood. Mack made it for 2.5 miles!