Lights and Face Painting

I was off for two weeks at Christmas with C & C, so when Aunt B called after Christmas and wanted to go to Zoo.light Safari at the zoo, we thought it was a great idea. The night we chose to go was actually one of the cooler nights of December, but we still had a great time.

First up, ride the train. This is always a favorite at the zoo. Everyone cuddled up close with Aunt B.
Then, we walked around to see more of the lights and saw where they were painting faces. Carter and Callen wanted in on the action.

Carter sat amazingly still while the kind gentleman painted a lion on his cheek.
Then, it was Callen's turn. She sat pretty still as well, but tended to pull away from him because "it tickles."
The finished products...much more detailed lions than I was anticipating!

We walked through the barn and then had to stop and take our picture with Big Al (you can see that they are equal opportunity with the AU set up right next to the UA one.)
After leaving the zoo, we met Daddy for dinner to cap off our fun night with Aunt B.

Christmas Day Re-Cap

Christmas morning was an exciting one in our house. These two slept until 6:30 {which I thought was pretty good} and then patiently posed for a picture before we opened presents.

After our photo shoot, it was off to see if there was anything in our stockings. The picture quality isn't all that great, but it was too cute not to include.
Carter had several fun items in his stocking, but his favorite was a "real" Alabama jersey. Just in time for wearing in preparation for the 2012 BCS Nat.ional Champ.ionship game.
Callen's favorite item among her stocking treats was a stuffed Hello Kit.ty, but you can see it well in this picture.
Once the stockings had been emptied, we moved on the the presents under the tree. The first one Carter opened was a set of Han.dy Man.ny tools he had been wanting. He was excited to hear them sing and put them to work fixing things around our house.
He opened several more gifts that he had requested from Santa, and then opened his "big RC car" from Toy Sto.ry. It is a remote control car that he LOVES.
Callen was wondering what Santa brought that was in this big bag....
A drawing table! She was so excited! Can you tell?
Callen also loves bubbles, but she has a hard time blowing them herself, so Santa brought her a bubble machine. She was all about it. I am pretty sure that is the only time I will allow the machine to blow bubbles INSIDE the house!

It didn't take Callen any time to get to work coloring on the paper roll on the drawing table.
We had to beg Carter to change clothes later in the day; he was so into driving RC and fixing things with his tools.
After opening presents, we had a yummy breakfast with Bamma and Big Pat, and a relaxing Christmas Day with each other capped off by watching Ne.mo, which Callen got in her stocking!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, the Willis clan headed to church early...we went to the 2:30 service, which was completely packed! I cannot imagine what the 4:30 service was like! The service was great and the children were well behaved considering that they are 4 & 2.

After church we headed home to change clothes and prep dinner, as we had Bamma and Big Pat, Aunt B and Uncle Ken joining us for Christmas Eve dinner. Nick made his Christmas Eve gumbo and we had yummy mini ham sandwiches to accompany. It was delightful.

Before we could get started with the little ones opening their presents from family, we couldn't resist pressing the men into service around the house. Uncle Ken owns a hardware store, so when my dad commented that our dishwasher handle {which has been loose as long as I can remember} needed tightening, they went to work taking the door apart to tighten it.

Since they completed that so well, I thought I'd ask Uncle Ken if he minded fixing the handle to our back door {it came off when you opened the door}. He was happy to oblige! Thanks to Ken, Dad and Nick for fixing all of our issues!

Ken and Dad fixing the door handle

On to the opening of the presents...Callen was excited to get some color won.der books from Aunt B and Uncle Ken. {I was equally excited that it was color won.der.)

Carter loved his Buzz Light.year sleeping bag from Bamma and Big Pat.
Keeping with the sleep theme, Callen was thrilled with princess sheets that Bamma and Big Pat gave her.
Bamma and Big Pat wanted to make sure that Carter and Callen would be warm cheering on the Tide to another championship, so they also got Tide sweatshirts.

Aunt B and Uncle Ken gave Carter an Opt.imus Pri.me helmet that has sound effects and lets you talk while changing your voice to sound like Opt.imus Pri.me. He loves it!
Trying out their warm hats from Mrs. Dollie and Mr. Young...
It was a great day/night that we enjoyed spending with family. Then, it was off to bed in anticipation of Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas!

From Our Family to Yours....

Lovoy Christmas Dinner

On Wednesday night, we celebrated Christmas with my side of the family at Mom and Dad's house. Mom cooked a lovely dinner, and we enjoyed spending time together.

Santa left some gift bags of goodies at Bamma and Big Pat's house for Carter and Callen, and Callen found a sucker that she kept close tabs on until after dinner when she was able to eat it!

Carter and Callen ready to open presents!

Finally, they get to rip paper! Uncle Steve and Aunt Emily gave them Hung.ry Hip.pos! {never mind that we have managed already to lose two of the marbles} Callen also received some Fan.cy Nan.cy game cards.
Carter was pretty thrilled to open his present and find a Toy Sto.ry Alien Fish.ing game.
Big Pat and Carter had it working and were fishing for aliens in no time! I am pretty sure that Carter has played it at least once an hour that he has been awake since!

Uncle Steve and Aunt Emily helped Callen get Hun.gry Hip.pos all set up and ready to play. Which, of course, they did.

Aunt B and Uncle Ken observed the madness - Aunt B took pictures, of course. I think they are just enjoying the "quiet" that is this Christmas, for next year, their little one will surely be in the mix as well!

We had a wonderful night and enjoyed spending time celebrating Christmas with family!