Christmas card

Merry Christmas!

Love,

The Garners

Lane & Jamie,

Rhett (5 1/2), Alexee (2 1/2) & Crosby (8 months)

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My Mom made these photos of us when we were home for Thanksgiving--thanks, Mom!

Here are a few that didn't make it to print:

Can you guess who was not wanting to cooperate?

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I did think these were sweet of the kids though:

Brunch, big sister, etc.

Time for holiday clothes! They were not very cooperative (surprise!) for an after-church picture last week, but they looked cute anyway. I bought A's candy cane dress on sale after Christmas last year. Sometimes it's fun being forgetful--I was pleasantly surprised when I found it in the back of her closet this year!

I love the little lock of hair that always curls around her right eye.

They were in full silly-mode.

***

Today I hosted a brunch for the girls on our street. My neighbor/friend, Jennifer, helped me with the food, and it was a fun morning. Jennifer made pumpkin bread, blueberry scones and banana pineapple punch (very tasty). I made chili squares (recipe below--very good and easy--also one of Jennifer's recipes), cherry-pineapple dump cake, fruit dip and pumpkin spice coffee. I didn't take any pictures during the party. I don't know some of the girls very well so I felt a little silly snapping pictures of them while they were trying to eat and talk!

Chili/Jalapeno Squares

6 eggs, slightly beaten

4 cups cheese (2 cheddar, 2 Monteray Jack)

1 small can chopped green chili peppers (or two diced jalapenos--I used the green chilis)

2 T chopped onion

Mix all and bake approximately 30 minutes (or until set) at 350.

I even dusted off my china for the first time in many years! I should use it more often--I forgot how much I like it! Just wish it was dishwasher safe.

Another sweet neighbor also brought this dish. It's really good--I had it at her house recently, but I don't know the name of it.

***

Now that C is taking a bottle full time, R & A like to help. Today Alexee said, "I'm a good big sister." :) She's grown up so much since C was born. From the smile on his face, I think he was enjoying the attention from her. He lights up when Rhett & Alexee talk to him and make faces at him. They both love him so much. They call him "Cutie Crosby".

I love this picture of them together.
This evening Alexee wanted to point out everyone's stockings. I like seeing all the "socks" (as Alexee calls them) lined up--it's a full mantle this year!
One of the highlights of the Season for me so far was when Rhett volunteered to say the morning prayer on our way to school and he prayed, "Thank you for this Christmas Season when we can remember that You sent your Son to save us from our sins." I pray that we will keep our hearts focused on that truth this month.

State Capitol Building

This evening we took the kids to look at the Christmas decorations at the State Capitol Building:

I thought the "Joy" banners were so pretty!

Brrrr...cold but fun!

Lane took these neat ones of the lights after dark.

Smiles

I ordered the kids matching holiday shirts from here, and they wore them to our Bible Study Christmas party on Saturday. I didn't get pictures of all three together before R & A changed clothes (I'll try next time they wear them), but I took some of C in front of the Christmas tree. He was in such a happy mood--all smiles!
If you look very closely, I think you can see his ONE tooth on the bottom here:

Christmas party

Yesterday our Bible study group had a Christmas lunch at one couple's house. We had Italian food, which was so good: baked ziti, fettucine, bread and two salads. Charla made a delicious appetizer dip that I want to get the recipe for! Kids came to the party, too, so Charla read the Christmas story, and we all tried to dress the kids up as someone from the story. The kids sang "Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus" and Melody provided a cute cake (which I forgot to take a picture of).

Rhett: Joseph (he first wanted to be a king, but he agreed to take his crown off since there was no one to play Joseph.)

Ella: Mary

Gray: Baby Jesus in the manger

Alexee & Avery Reese: Angels

Crosby: Wise Man (but he took off the paper crown and chewed on it)

Zack: Shepherd

Wise Man

Angel & Mary

I liked the star dangling from the bamboo pole, provided by Lee & Melody:

Joseph

Charla (narrator) and the kids

Gray as Baby Jesus in the manger--so sweet!

Alexee and her Daddy

O Christmas tree!

We went back for our tree on Saturday!

Thanksgiving Album

We had a wonderful holiday! So much to be thankful for.

Album here.

8 months old

Crosby was 8 months old on Thanksgiving day. He just gets sweeter and sweeter! He is really thinking about crawling--he gets on all fours and rocks and reaches for toys. I think it will "click" any day now! He's also thinking about pulling up to his knees. He can get to sitting position from his back or tummy. It was so cute the first time I discovered he'd done that by himself. I went in his very dark room one night and felt in the crib and there he sat, waiting on me! He's STILL not sleeping through the night consistently, although it seems like he's making it until almost 4:30 or 5:00 a.m. most mornings...maybe we're almost there (I've been saying that for months!). He has one tooth on the bottom, and the other bottom tooth is giving him trouble right now so I think we will be seeing it soon. We put the swing and the bouncy seat in the garage--he has outgrown them. :( He very rarely cries. He's easy-going and snuggly. He just enjoys whatever he's doing, and we enjoy him too!

Thanksgiving Day

trying to pull up using the ottoman

almost crawling

he still sucks his thumb

We love you!