On The Sunny Side with the Williams Family

I don't have many photos to share for January. We've been hibernating this winter.

Taylor did start volleyball this year. She was so fun to watch!

I instituted a no electronic rule for Charlie and Morgan and they had fun cheering her on. Although, if you ask Morgan she'll tell you that she does not watch the game- just the scoreboard.

Mark did a great job teaching her how to serve.

Charlie has been receiving fun craft boxes in the mail (the subscription was a christmas present from his Grandparents). We've had fun constructing them together.

Not to be left out, Morgan made up her own crafts to work on.

Charlie had a cubscouts lock in. He got to practice archery, play kickball and watch a movie before heading him to our own comfy beds.

This little one has spent quite a few days home with a fever this winter. (Wait until you hear about her February!)

Not to be outdone, Charlie developed a fever, too.

We celebrated Uncle Chad's birthday this month at Grandma's house.

I also took some practice Valentine photos with the kids to use next month.

I was taking some photos of little Morgan sleeping one morning when...

...she woke up and caught me!

Taylor and I attended our fourth Mother Daughter night at the school.

This time it was a tea party theme.

Charlie's cub scout den braved the cold and went on a hike this month.

It was fun finding some of the geo-taggin treasures left on the trail.

Well, those are the highlights for January. Stay tuned to hear about our wild, snowy February.

Historically, December has always been a picture heavy month. There's just so many precious moments to capture, so many memories to preserve, so much joy to immortalize. A quick scan down this post and you'll see what I mean.

My mom, my sisters and I are in charge of the Santa Shop at the kids school. It's always a LOT of work, but seeing the joy the children experience being able to buy gifts for their families makes it all worth it. Plus we get to wear these cool headbands.

Speaking of joy on faces, look at charlie as he watched his cub scout leaders get pies in their faces as part of their reward for selling a lot of popcorn.

I entertained the kids at Morgan's preschool Christmas party.

Charlie's letter to santa this year was the sweetest thing. It reads: "Dear Santa, Hi Santa. Are you having a great day? Thank you for sending your elf to my house. I love him. I'm trying to be nice by saying lady's first. (It's really hard) And I know what christmas is really about . it's about Jesus'es birthday! Merry Christmas! Signed with lots of love, Charlie"

My sisters and I got together for some girl time before Julie's wedding. We stayed in a hotel and went to the casino downtown.

Here's Charlie sitting by the antenna so we could get a good signal. Unfortunately, they lost that day so his efforts were in vain.

One of the kids' favorite Christmas traditions is making cookies each year. They've gotten better and better at this.

Believe it or not, this is an improvement.

Taylor and her Grandmama also made hot chocolate jars to give as gifts this year.

Charlie and Morgan had their first dance recital in December. Check out the audience. ALL of their grandparents came to cheer them on!

I had no idea how Morgan would react to being on a big stage in front of a large audience, but she did great. She simply performed her dance just as she had practiced.

It was adorable.

Charlie did great, too! His dance was not easy, but they pulled it off.

I also had the privilege of taking the dance photos for the studio.

We tried something new this year and went to Frosty Town for some free hot chocolates, candy and Santa encounter!

Since the older two kids got to shop at school, I thought I'd take Morgan out to shop for her big brother and sister. First we raided her piggy bank and then we set off to find the perfect gifts.

She put a lot of thought into her gifts. I couldn't have been more proud of her.

We had a very special time celebrating Christmas early with Grandmama.

She and Taylor had made this frozen blanket as a gift for Morgan. By the look on her face, I'd say she likes it.

We also got lots of fun gadgets this year!

I broke out my Christmas china that Grandmama gave me at the start of my marriage for our delicious holiday meal.

And check out these truffles the kids helped her make!

Unfortunately, Uncle David did not come home for Christmas this year, but he did send these fun gifts for the kids. He knows them well.

My future brother-in-law's sisters through a bachelorette dinner for Julie at a mexican restaurant just days before Christmas.

Another tradition involves my family coming over on Christmas Eve morning for a delicious breakfast.

Followed by the obligatory group photo.

And then our gift exchange. My mom was pleased to see that all her hints were noted and she finally got another calendar with photos of her loved ones.

Taylor's hot chocolate was a hit.

Morgan was thrilled to get this Anna doll. She told me that she was pretty sure it was going to be her favorite present.

On Christmas Eve night, Grandpa came over for dinner and more gift giving.

I just love this photo. Look how comfortable Taylor feels with her grandpa.

Finally it was time to put out our cookies for santa and our carrots for the reindeer and head to bed.

Is there anything more magical than Christmas morning? I take this photo every year of me with all my kiddies on Christmas morning. I never want to forget how blessed I am.

Let's take a little trip down memory lane...

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

I guess cookies are not the only thing at which they've improved. Their ability to still for 10 seconds for a photo has come a long way!
Okay- back to the present. (Only it's not the present, is it? We're already barreling through 2015!)

Santa brought Morgan a big girl camera. She was over the moon about it once she realized that it also takes video!

Santa also brought a sister for her Anna doll.

Charlie made me this sweet plate at school. (Oh and this photo reminds me. Charlie lost his front tooth on Christmas Eve, which means that Santa AND the tooth fairy came on the same night. He felt truly lucky.)

We gave the kids a karaoke machine for Christmas.

The girls tested it out after church.

Later in the day, we gathered for a Damon Family Christmas at Jessica's house.

For the second year in a row we sang Christmas carols.

(Can you spot the photo bomb?)

After most people went home, my sister let her hair down and partook in a shot of Frangelica. Could this be a new tradition immerging. Somehow I think not.

But we did begin a new tradition this year that I hope continues for many years. December 26th is my absolute favorite month of the year. We usually stay inside, in our jammies, and play with all our fun new toys and games. Well, this year we decided to give everyone in the family 30 minutes to choose our activity. Morgan chose "Hide and Seek Tag".

Charlie chose his new card game, Pirate Fluxx.

Daddy chose Taylor's new game, Clue.

Taylor picked Karaoke.

And I chose a rematch in Clue.

We did break from tradition slightly by leaving the house that night to attend Julie and Mark's rehearsal dinner.

And on December 27th, my big sister married the love of her life:

(I did not even bring my camera because I wanted to be fully immersed in the celebrating. I did take a few iPhone pics though)

After the wedding, Taylor and Grace went to Louisville with their grandparents. As a christmas gift, they attended a singing/dancing/acting workshop at a dinner theater.