Christmas/New Year's 2010

Christmas 2010...the year that "Elfin" entered our lives,  Santa came to Auburn, Jack got the flu and Auburn had a white Christmas...and we missed it!

Jamie brought Elfin (our Elf on the Shelf as named by Jack) into our lives in early December...and then he learned to live with the responsibility: Elfin got into the cookie jar, ate Jamie's last orange, tried to go to school with Porter via hiding in her back pack (umm...yes, we touch our elf...kinda missed that part), played Jamie's PacMan game, etc. Betsy cried the first night when she was reminded that Elfin was watching, "I don't wanna be on the naughty list..." (A few nights later, she asked if Santa knew what she was thinking during an "episode.") Porter swore she saw Elfin fly by her classroom window and was usually the first one up to find out where he had landed. Jack, at two, was doing well to get "Santa" at all.

We also decided to forego traveling to a parent's house for Christmas. We love our church family, and we yearned to share a Christmas Eve service with them, and Santa was just getting tired of our memos requesting that he transport our goods to another state. So with plans made, Jack of course promptly got the flu two days before Christmas and we missed the church service. However, thanks to Tamiflu, he was quickly on the mend, and it seems that we have avoided any follow-up infections! Despite the health (or lack thereof) set back (Luckily, the girls and I had our flu shot...and Jamie has seemingly avoided any fall out.), we had a sweet and quiet time opening one gift and reading/discussing the Christmas story on Christmas Eve. Then, we had a nice, laid back Christmas morning with a manageable amount of gifts.

Jack's favorite present...for the day anyway

Jamie's Christmas Eve present...that benefited us all Christmas morning

Betsy enjoying her new IPod

We loaded up the car after a yummy breakfast and headed to Arkansas to join my family for Christmas dinner festivities. Downside...snow most of the way. Upside...no one else was on the road! We arrived safely in just over 6 hours and enjoyed a wonderful meal with extended family. Presents were distributed and the "sane amount" of gifts started to be stretched. I was able to do some cleaning/walk through memory lane via my closet one day, and the kids and I joined Meme and PaPaw for a hike the next. Then, we packed up again and headed to Tennessee to be with Jamie's family.

Cousins Jack & Riley enjoying apples

Jack and Jed...probably up to trouble

Brave Hiking Crew

Hiking Leaders (I was just camera crew.)

Calling him "Baby Tiger" was the only way we could get him to climb under and over trees. I was Mommy Tiger and Meme was Grumpy Tiger growling from behind.

Our Ice, Ice Cold & Happy Kid

More good food...and presents...officially surpassing the sane intake limits...we were blessed to be with more family. Jamie's sister Hunter took a part-time holiday job at the "Ice" exhibit at the Opryland Hotel so we enjoyed that with family as well. Jamie and I got away for an afternoon to shop and eat with Lori Jean and Hunter...with no kiddos! We had a wonderful meal. Unfortunately, Gigi, Grandad and the kids had, as Betsy says, "An UN-Cracker Barrel quality meal."

Gigi & Grandad waiting to slide on the Ice slide

We packed up again...very carefully seeing as the van was pushing its limits as were my creative packing skills...and headed just a bit south to enjoy New Year's Eve with friends and their two boys (ages 6 and 9). It was great fun to watch the kids (stair-stepped third, second, first grades and kindergarten...with Jack attempting to keep up) so quickly make friends and play together so easily. With good food (have I mentioned food in every paragraph?), games and catching up to do, we easily met the New Year's...as did the kids.

Jack...zonked!

The drive home was easy, though a little sad for Jamie to miss so many good bowl games. The kids conked out more than normal, but we made it home safely and early enough for me to easily restock the fridge and pantry for the week. So...2011...bring it on. The Mantooth Family welcomes you.

Betsy fighting sleep

Betsy giving in....

Porter slept almost the entire trip home.