The Christmas Crazies

I've got 'em! The Christmas Crazies. I know the date of Christmas. It's the same every year. But it always sneaks up on me anyway. And as usual I decided to take on a little too much....too much baking, too much shopping, too much crafting. When I get it all done I'll step back and look at everything and smile and I LOVE giving things away that make others happy, but I just need a few more hours in each day from now until the 25th. I'll get it all done. I always do! And I am SO excited about spending the holidays with friends and family.

Finn has developed quite the little personality. He is almost always in a good mood (especially after he has just eaten...he likes a full tummy...his mother's child) and it's easy to make him smile. He thinks we are real comedians and laughs at almost anything we say to him. He thinks pat-a-cake is a real hoot and his favorite song right now is Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. Luckily I know all the words to that one. :) My mom came last weekend and we took him to The Journey at church (an interactive story of Christmas) and he did great. He loved looking at the big screen inside the sanctuary and listening to the music. When it was time for us to begin our "journey" to Bethlehem, I wore him in his carrier and he was a champ. The Roman soldiers tried to buy him from me but I told them he was priceless. He had his first boat ride when we crossed the Sea of Galilee (on a pontoon boat, probably not what they used in Jesus' day). By the time we made it into the "city" where Mary and Joseph tried to find an inn he was asleep so he missed the camels, goats, cows, donkeys, tigers, lions, and panthers (YES, reeeeeaaaalllll ones.....it was sort of scary!). Anyway, I was so proud of my big boy for behaving so well.

The weekend before last we were in Augusta and Cleo and Lucy came to visit. It is funny how much more you get to see your parents once you have children. :) But I'm not complaining! We had a lot of fun and celebrated Matt's birthday with a yummy pound cake Kim had made. Here are some pictures:

 Finn and C.C. (and Lucy of course!)

 Finn is definitely already a "dog person"

 Billy Crank has a picture of all the grandkids in this Michelin shirt

Matt's usual spot in Augusta. Except he's usually studying instead of texting!

Oh and one last update. Those of you who were waiting with bated breath to see how I would do in the 5K in January may have to wait a while. I developed tendonitis in my right achilles tendon after doing just about everything wrong.....not stretching properly, going too far too quickly, not resting when it started bothering me. Anyway, it was REALLY killing me for over a week and I couldn't do anyway so I feel like I'm back to square one. Add that to my busy holiday life and my general hate of exercising and it's just a lethal combination. Oh well, maybe next month I'll get motivated again. Maybe not....