Getting away...and gators.

A few days after Christmas we headed farther South with some friends.

They have connections to a free place to stay outside Orlando...who can say no to that?!? :)

We spent most days lazying around...

sleeping in-ish...

swimming.

swimming.

and more swimming.

there were water slides and lazy rivers.

and Gatorland.

Where there were gators. Lots and lots of gators.

Thank you, Dawn and Mike for a great time away!

You let us know when you need another family to travel with...

We are so. there!

December photos 2011

A December overview and a slew of photos:

 Decorating Christmas cookies with the Hudsons

 Chloe's class Christmas Party

 Friends Eva and Brenley

 Little D with C and E at Callaway Gardens

 The Grandkids on the trolley to see the lights.

 Us with Granna and Zeke

 Found Rudolph and the Gingerbread Man

 Christmas morning at Granna and Zeke's...

and photographic proof that Kevin wore those pajamas....all day.

(which he ASKED for!!)  :)

 There was no shortage of things to open

 A few of Chloe's favorite gifts

Granna and Zeke apologized over and over for the ginormous chair...

they had no idea how HUGE it was going to be!

 Chloe and Granna making a Christmas dessert.

(sorry for the blurry photo)

 Christmas Dinner

This photo needs several explanations. 

We got to celebrate Christmas with Uncle Dale this year.

He and Zeke figured out that it has been 35 years since they were together for Christmas...

super special!

Every year, Uncle Dale sends us three huge boxes full of Christmas gifts...in which is always some funny gift for us all to enjoy.

This year...stick on mustaches.

HYSTERICAL!

Also...

who's the new guy in the red hat??

That's AJ...he is Jamie's special someone. :)

 The Grandkids joined in the mustache fun

 Oh. my. goodness.

Love this photo.

 Our family Christmas at home

Hands down, Eli's favorite Christmas gift.

A remote control, air swimming shark!

Thank you, Boppi and GrandBob!

He LOVES it!

Second Annual Search for the Best Christmas Lights

Last year we started a new tradition...
We headed out last night for our second annual search for the best Christmas lights displays.
Our friend, Katuschka, joined us this year.

We followed some of our own advice from last year...
- we did categories
- Dollar General always has something cute and cheap for the awards.

But we got started a little late again this year...

We got into our jammies in anticipation of the judges possibly falling asleep...

We drove around for quite awhile and began to wonder if most of the town also packed their Christmas decorations in the very back of their storage units...very few lights.

But we persevered and finally found some award worthy lights!!

This house won the 'Biggest and Best' for the second year in a row!! 

Seriously. Awesome. Lights!

This one had a penguin of lights on an island surrounded by blue lights and palm trees. 

Creative indeed!

This house had a HUGE Nativity scene complete with angels and birds. 

(You can barely see it there in the background) 

Clearly focused on the true Reason for the season.

We are enjoying this tradition and were again excited about the families opening their mailboxes today to find their awards!!

Tusch suggested having 'write in' cards for surprise lights along the way...we thought that was a great idea for next year!

Smilebooth + The Williams Family = FUN

I shared a few of these pictures on the FB, but wanted to post them here also.
The AIM Christmas party was last Saturday and they had  Smilebooth there for picture taking fun.
We may have overindulged.