A trip to the big city...

We decided to be spontaneous tonight and head into the big city...we texted Dad and asked if we could meet him at the mall. So around rush hour we headed to the mall near Karl's work.....and we went inside for some festive fun.We really don't do Santa at Christmas, we all know he is just fun. Jolie still likes to go see him and get her picture made with him.  We found the line for Santa and got in it....he was not there....he was on a reindeer water break? 

We took a few photos around the pretty and festive decor while we waited, my boys went and visited several stores while we waited, but Karlie stuck out the wait with us.

Sisters pose by the tree

The bros pose while we wait in line...

 There was lots of time to take photos in the waiting line...

We are almost to the start of the line...

 The best gift of Christmas is JEsus! That's how Jolie says it.

 Sweeties

 Festive trees...

 Aren't they sweet and photogenic?

 Talking with Santa

 It was fun visiting the big city and seeing Santa...it was even more fun when 

all my children ages 4 to 21 sat with Santa for a photo...
it was an awesome evening.

Merry Christmas 2013!

Jolie's Christmas Musical

It's Christmas time....and it was time for the church musical....Jolie wore her sparkle stars dress and sang beautifully...here's the photos I snagged off the big screen.

 at first I could not find her...she was behind the camara pole...

 I found her on the big screen af rew times.

 Isn't she precious.

 Singing  about JEsus

Family Christmas Traditions~Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights

Our family has a few Christmas traditions that we look forward to and love to do. One of those traditions is to go to Callaway Gardens and see the lights. This tradition is not one we do every year, but as often as we can. We've been enjoying the Callaway lights since the very first year that Callaway started doing the lights, and that was all the way back to Zach's first Christmas in 1992.

Since we don't have a vehicle that we can all ride in together Karl thought we should rent one. We started out in a mini van, because they had rented out all of the larger suvs. So we ended up squeezing into the mini van until we could get down the road to the next Enterprise to rent the larger one. When we got there, we all opted for the large homeschool van so that we could have plenty of space.

Karlie called it our Duggar van...

We stopped at the Bulloch House for a lupper. We enjoyed the awesome food, the lovely decor, and the giftshop.

 We headed over to Callaway Gardens, and had some time to spare, so we went to see the butterfly house.

 Karl and me

 The kids pose with Gam and Pop

 We Saw a few butterflies.

 Jolie and Pop

Jolie wants to be in every photo with Emily and Zach.

 The butterfly house has lots of places for photo opportunities...

 pretty flowers, butterflies, and girls....

 I told ya, Momma had her camera and she was using it...

 There was a huge tree in the entrance to the butterfly house. 

Shek poses for me by the tree.

 Then it was time to get on the trolleys, and bundle up for the ride. We sang carols, and looked at beautiful lights.

 Sitting on the trolley

 Gam and Pop wait for the trolley to roll

 Where's the lights

 Karl

 It's not everyday, I wear one of those winter caps...

 The lights...

 I snapped a few photos...

 the photos of the lights just don't do it justice...you have to see it in person...

 We headed back to the village tent, Jolie wanted to see Jesus.

 She calls him JEsus....just like a true southerner pronunciation.

 Jolie loves having her face painted.

She had a butterfly and a rudolph nose.

 Jolie loves the characters that are dressed up...unlike my other children. She hugged and hugged Rudolph. He picked her up and danced with her. It was so precious.

 how did he know that she loves dancing and twirling...

Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights 2013...a great family tradition.

Egypt Night

It was Egypt night at Konos Academy last night. The kids wore Egyptian type outfits, hairstyles and makeup.
Karlie wore a sheet, wrapped and pinned and topped with her old acteens robe thing that had been cut for a collar....and then the eye shadow.

Those Egypt eyes are almost '80's eyes aren't they?

Each student had topics to discuss. Some acted out skits, did videos or told about their topic. Karlie's group discussed the hair, and makeup for the Egyptians.

After the presentations, there was Egyptian food and fellowship and a few photos with friends. 

Aren't they lovely Egyptians?