Christmas Steps with NKOTB

Step 1: We can have lots of fun (at Pops and Meme's house) Christmas Eve morning with my parents, the Hartwein's and Maglingers.

Step 2: There's so much we can do (at Mamaw D.'s house) Christmas Eve night.

Step 3: It's just you and me (our house) Christmas morning.

Step 4: I can give you more (Pap and Nana's house) for Christmas brunch.

Step 5: Don't you know that the time is right (Granny's house) Christmas afternoon.

A RYAN's Holiday

My family (Pogue-side) started a new tradition this year at Ryan's Grill in Elizabethtown. Since my family is in BG and our other relatives are in Nicholasville and Louisville, E-town is a convenient medium. My grandparents decided not to have Christmas at their homeplace in Louisville this year. They headed south for their Florida pad. I can't say that I blame them. The holidays can be overwhelming and have been difficult for my grandparents (and all of us) since my uncle Mark's death 10 years ago. He was the "life of the party" so to speak. I love seeing my extended family and couldn't stand the thought of not seeing them this Christmas. SO, we all put our heads together and decided on Ryan's in E-town. I'm hoping we can make it a new tradition with no cooking and NO CLEAN-UP. Hooray--win, win.

Here are some fun photos from our event:

The Pogue/Deaton/Wilson/Maglinger/Mastin fellas

The Pogue Girls

Dad and Uncle Jackie. Baby Miles has fortunately survived among the STREP victims at our home. Karson and Isaac stayed behind in BG due to their illness.

Evan taking photos. It's was a photo-frenzy that evening.

My cousin Lyndi who is expecting a baby in February and looks FABULOUS, me and Brittany (my "best" cousin). I don't have any family memories that don't include Britt. From the famous Button Your Fly shirts, Barbie and the Rockers, our band WINK, selling squashed berries as nailpolish, severe burns, etc., etc., I love this girl like a sister.

My oldest cousin Lori and youngest cousin Lauren.

Family photo minus two.

Kenton (aka BEAN), Jackie and Brittany.

My grandparents came through BG earlier this month and got to visit with us.

ICE

Ice, Ice Baby
VANILLA Ice, Ice Baby

All right STOP, we went down to Nashville
Saw Grinch on Ice surrounded in Who-Ville

Wore some ugly parkas, froze our hind ends
Can't wait 'till next year so we can do it again.

Our family went to see The Grinch on ICE in Nashville yesterday. It was a freezing (9 degrees) good time!

The CREW

The Ice Slide that I couldn't resist.

Two blue Who's!



Our little papoose.

The Letter R

That's not a neon green booger on the chair, just a rubber dinosaur. I won her dress on eBay for .99 cents which didn't include shipping. I love eBay and have purchased several things on there this holiday season.

Karson had her preschool Christmas program last night. I was very proud of all the children. There's nothing easy about being on stage in front of TONS of people and singing. Most of the children had speaking parts also. Karson's class spelled out CHRISTMAS. She was the letter 'R'. R - is for the rustle of Angel wings. That was her line. Ms. Laura told me that she could quote everyone's line after hearing them one time. What can I say, the girl doesn't forget much. We filmed her (at home) after the show saying each part. My mom told me that when I was little like her, I would tell her what she forgot on the grocery list. My little girl is growing up quickly. I'm very proud of the child she is becoming each day =).

Two proud grandmothers.

A few proud uncles.

Her bff's Tucker and Kennedy.

Some boogery brothers. Isaac is sportin' his green Ninja Turtles shirt which is about 3 sizes to big. He's the pickiest child when it comes to clothes. It MUST have a character of some sort. Miles is eating two cookies at once. We had to bribe him with food to get him to go. Sitting still is not on his agenda these days.