Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Our home all lit up!

We had a wonderful Christmas here in the Burlison household. We had class parties, dance presentations, and hosted some of our dearest family members for Christmas. Busy? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. The girls love doing the gingerbread house every year! Gotta love the premade $9 kits at Target and Walmart. They always love the idea of eating it after Christmas and I love to say, "Sure, have at it, " knowing they will only take a couple of bites.

Our Little Mover and Shaker

My neighbor and I have this wonderful setup. I take the kiddos to school in the morning and she picks up in the afternoon. This allows for our two youngest to have uninterrupted naps (crucial). On Tuesdays she takes the two girls to dance straight from school and I pick them up. Well, evidently some important information fell through the cracks, and I received a phone call from her saying, "The girls are going to have a little performance and Anna really wants me to stay, so don't worry about picking them up." My response, "WHAAATT???????" At that exact moment 3:20p (dance starts at 3:30) Scott comes through the door. I get off the phone and say, "I've got to go!" So I leave and pray the whole way there that I not miss it and that I get there safely. I get there to a room full of parents and kiddos anxiously awaiting to show off their moves. Ugggh, thank God for my trusty neighbor who was saving me a seat and laughing at me as I ran in the door! I could tell Mary Ella was relieved I had made it! Anyways, here are a few pics I took. My dear friend Suzie took pics of her daughters feet, so I thought I'd do the same. Too precious!

Can I party too???

We had Mary Ella's class "Winter Party"....one of the few times a year we can celebrate and serve sugary snacks (legally). Golly, times have changed. No Halloween Party, but a fall "treat"....No Thanksgiving Party, but a Thanksgiving "feast" with healthy snacks....No Easter Party, but a Spring treat. As you see below, Addy took a seat and somehow attained a plate full of goodies.

I got Robbed....

by Build-A-Bear. My sweet, dear friend, Jillian, from Longview joined us with her three boys. Our kiddos had been craving, literally CRAVING, each other....well, specifically Thomas and Mary Ella. They were itching to get out of the car and then they saw each other both wearing these shy, but very happy grins on their face. Thomas can make Mary Ella giggle like no other! We braved the very busy mall so that our children could build themselves stuffed animals. I had always heard these things were expensive, but we walked in and I saw $18-22 price tags and thought, "this isn't going to be too bad." Oh how mistaken I was. We added clothes, a voice, etc... Below is a picture of "Sara", Mary Ella's bear. Addy's bear was blue (her favorite color) wearing a sequin, CUTE, t-shirt with a jean skirt...her name? Barney. Then we had a no name, no accessory bunny rabbit (b/c I couldn't sit at that computer any longer with Addy's "help"). We got out their spending around $85. Yep my friends, that is almost $30 a bear, but doesn't Sara look adorable????? The time spent with our dear friends was totally worth it!

Our current favorite "spot" in the house.

For whatever reason our children enjoy piling into Molly's crib and playing...for a long time, I might add. They giggle away and we just let them have at it. After all, their having fun and are corralled. It is a win-win situation!

Here comes Christmas....and the buzzard!

One of our favorite childhood memories comes from visiting our grandparents. Grandmother would always provide the forbidden sugar cereal and we would sit in Grandaddy Pete's lap giggling hysterically as he counted our ribs and said, "here comes the buzzard. It goes round and round and round." Right about that time he would tickle our belly. As you can see below, Molly seems to find it pretty funny too!

Santa Came!

The grandparents wait with the children before given the Ok to come see!

I don't think Addy's ready for a license yet. Maybe these things need to be made out of steel???? I think Scott and I've pulled a few muscles trying to teach her how to drive this thing.

Molly trying to figure out her car and not quite sure what to think.

I guess I should put out a warning about all the American Girl stuff too. You wouldn't believe the mounds of accessories that go with this doll, but it is too much fun, so I won't complain. These fun dolls teach about history and friendships. I'm sensing an American Girl trip to Dallas soon!

We also got to spend some time with my dad for Christmas. The girls loved seeing he and Mommy Boo. We also got to see our Bostonian sister Kristin and her fiance' James. We have an exciting year coming up for these two. The are graduating from college and will be getting married some time next Fall! What fun it is to add another male to our family as the males are way outnumbered around here.

Kristin and James

I just had to leave you with this picture of our "caboose". Pure happiness and joy unless I'm trying to cook dinner (that 4-6pm syndrome has hit for this little tyke). Oh well, at least with the third one, I know it is a phase that will end. She has also begun to walk at 14 1/2 months. Why would she need to do so earlier???? She's been very content attached to my hip :).

One last moment....

As Scott and I cleaned up downstairs, it got eerily quiet upstairs, so naturally I went to check. I found our oldest princess helping our youngest princess to look the part.

Ahhhh, gotta relish that sibling harmony when you get it!

We hope you and those you love had a wonderful Christmas and wish you many blessings in the year 2009! Most importantly that you all know just how special you are to us.