The Wise Family

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Christmas Eve

We all look forward to Christmas Eve at Bebe & Daddy Jim's house. We always take family pictures as soon as we get to their house. During the year we love going back to see how each family has grown and changed over the years. Each year a grandchild helps Bebe light the candles in the den. Over the last few years, Bebe has started a new tradition of handing out small candles and we blow them out after Daddy Jim thanks God for our family and especially for sending Jesus as a precious baby so many years ago. Then we visit over a wonderful dinner. After everything is cleaned up, we all find spots in the den and listen as Daddy Jim reads the Christmas story. Then all the paper starts flying as the children start opening their presents - one at a time.

Daddy Jim & Bebe with all the grandchildren

Our family

Rhett, Angie, Lexie, Liza & Sam

Josh, Miley and Meg

Reagan, Leigh Ann, Charlotte and John David (with Catherine on the way)

Walker & Sam

(Chip and Walker had a run in before we left the house.

Based on the scratches on Walker's face, I think Chip won!)

Bebe & Daddy Jim getting everything ready for dinner.

The boys drinking their little Coke bottles.

The kids are ready for dinner

Walker loved his Spy Watch

Anna Grace and her fur vest Bebe gave her.

Bebe & Daddy Jim gave the boys maroon wigs. Walker & Sam LOVED them.

John David wasn't so sure about it.

Sweet Meg enjoyed her 1st Christmas at Bebe & Daddy Jim's house.

Anna Grace & Liza

Christmas Goodies

One of our Christmas traditions is making goodies. The kids always love to help. This year we made some favorites and also tried out a new recipe. Our new treat was chocolate covered pretzels with sprinkles. The kids really enjoyed making them - and eating them. The only draw back was all the sprinkles all over the kitchen!

We also made our alltime fav - oreo balls. The kids love crushing the oreos in the food processor, mixing the crumbs with cream cheese, rolling all those little balls, and dipping them in white chocolate. YUM!

Chip loves cleaning up!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Walker's Christmas Party

Walker was so excited about his class Christmas party.

He couldn't wait for some cupcakes, games and gifts!!

After all the snacks, the kids played Christmas Picture Bingo.

Walker was so excited that he was the 1st to Bingo!

Vick enjoyed Bingo.

Then they opened their stockings to see what surprises were inside.

Each child brought little "happies" for the other children in the class. Walker was adamant that he wanted to get "Bubba Teeth" for the boys. So we went to CiCi's Pizza and got 8 sets from the vending machine! He didn't think the girls would like funky teeth, so he got them coloring books. Needless to say, the boys LOVED their teeth!!

Germarcus

Sam

Monday, December 20, 2010

SANTA!

The kids finally had their Christmas lists finished and decided it was time to go tell Santa. I think Anna Grace said she wanted a tie-dyed bike, digital camera. cell phone, dry erase board and surprises. Walker said he wanted drums, an electric guitar, bike, football cards and Mighty Beans. Mom asked for earplugs!!!

She's Growing Up...

Just before Christmas break, I finally allowed Anna Grace to get her ears pierced. She has been begging for years and I kept telling her that she had to be 10 years old. So she was pretty surprised when I said we could go ahead and get them pierced at Christmas.

Avery Ray went along for moral support. Anna Grace was so brave! She said it hurt a little but was so glad she finally got it done! I think she looks beautiful, but I'm a little teary-eyed that my little girl is growing up!

Singing and Reading

The Pierce St. Pride Choir sang at Barnes and Noble after Thanksgiving to kick off their Book Fair. Even though it was cold and rainy, there were lots of kids running around in lime green Pierce St. Pride shirts (and lots of moms and dads!) The kids did a great job singing their hearts out!

Of course, the kids begged for some new books (love that!) So, this is what I found when I turned around in the car on the way home!

Operation Christmas Child

The Harrisburg Baptist Church children's choirs presented Christmas Around the World for the Operation Christmas Child service. It was absolutely wonderful! Walker's 1st grade choir dressed like children Europe. They were precious! I think Walker looks a little like Pinocchio!

The Young Musicians choir is made up of 4th - 6th graders. They dressed as children from South America and sang songs from that culture. My favorite was "The Virgin Mary had a Baby Boy." Love it!! Operation Christmas Child always gets us in the Christmas spirit, but also reminds us that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

John the Elf Returns

Starting the weekend after Thanksgiving, the kids began their search for John the Elf. Every morning. they would scan every nick and cranny looking for John. Each morning that he wasn't here, the kids would be so disappointment - especially when they heard that the elves at their friends' houses had already returned. One morning, Walker asked if John wasn't coming back because he and Anna Grace were "too old." I assured him that they were not too old and that John usually didn't come back until the beginning on December.

Finally, after much anticipation, John returned. Evidently, John got here during the day while we were all gone to work and school. The kids were so excited!! John even brought along gifts for the kids all the way from the North Pole!! What a wonderful way to kick off the Christmas season!!

Decking the Halls

Anna Grace and Walker really enjoyed decorating the Christmas trees this year. We always love unwrapping each ornament and talking about where it came from.

Chip even got in on the decorating action!

After the big tree was finished the kids tackled the trees in their rooms. They've both decided that they have so many ornaments they need new trees for their rooms!