Koppe Christmas at the River House 2007

We had a wonderful Koppe Christmas at the river house. Friday we decorated Christmas cookies and everyone (except for Uncle Bryan, he came later) was there. Our cookies look a little wild but it was fun. Friday night we had a feast of appetizers and desserts! We watched Polar Express with the little ones on Dave's huge TV. Then, after the little ones went to bed, the older people watched the traditional Christmas Vacation! No matter how many times I see that movie, it is still funny! Plus, my dad loved it, so it makes me think of him laughing!
Saturday morning, we opened presents and all got some great things! Later that day, the girls went shopping for a little while and the guys stayed home to watch the little ones and play video games.
Saturday night, G-mama babysat all the grandkids and all three couples went out to dinner. It was nice to have a night out and spend some time all together. It is not too often all six of us can sit and visit uninterrupted.
Sunday, all the families went our seperate ways. It is always so sad to me when the holidays come to a close. I guess you could say I have post-Christmas blues. I just love being with my family soo much and look forward to it so much that I hate it when it ends! I am very blessed in that way!
Tonight is New Year's Eve and John and Andi are going to a church lock-in, so it will just be me and Mike ringing in the New Year, the little ones will be fast asleep. Hopefully, we will make it to midnight, we are wimpy in our old age :)
I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New Year, and I am looking forward to what the next year will bring!!

John and Mike hanging out while John played video games!


Some of the group relaxing!


Our Christmas cookies! Beautiful huh?!


Landon loved decorating cookies, even though I think he ate more than he decorated.


Mom helping Addi with her cookies.


Catching a happy moment with mother and daughter!


Mom was singing to the kids, Santa Claus is coming to town, it was so cute!


Addi was running around and dancing to the singing Santa.


This is the first year that both Landon and Addi have not been afraid of the life size singing Santa. They loved dancing to him singing.


Landon giving Santa a funny look!


Mom's crazy cookie. For those Shrek fans out there, it reminded us of the gingerbread man.


Andi decorating cookies too!


The Koppe Christmas Tree!


John and Mike having some father/son time!


Dave and Landon hanging out! Landon loves his uncles!


Loved this face on Mary Paul!


Mary Paul is so good at walking now. She was walking everywhere!


Addi opening one of her presents!


Mary Paul opening her present from us!


Landon and his new Thomas the Train!


Andi and John being silly!


Mary Paul thought her present was very funny!!!


Saturday night Mom gave the three little ones a bath together in the big bathtub. It was so cute!


Landon loving his bath!


Mary Paul and Addi taking their first bath together!


I think Mary Paul had fun taking a bath with her cousins. This was her first time taking a bath with anybody.


Aunt Ryan helping Addi open her treasure chest of princess dresses!

Griner Christmas 2007

We have had a wonderful Christmas so far and it is not over yet!! The kid's vacation began with me, John, and the little ones travelling to Atlanta for John's recording session. We had a nice whirlwind visit with G-Mama and John's recording went very well. The Atlanta traffic was not too terrible, so I was thankful for that. I did ALOT of driving in two days time and was ready to get back home and settle in for the holiday.

Christmas Eve was fun. We watched Frosty the Snowman with the little ones and Shrek 3rd after they went to bed. We enjoyed our traditional Christmas Eve junkfood dinner complete with just about every kind of processed pre-made food (taquitos, little weenies, sausage balls, chips with spinach dip, etc.) All the kids liked the junk food, since I "try" not to buy a lot of that food often it was a real treat. The kids got their special annual Christmas ornament right before the little ones went to sleep. Landon and Addi were very excited about Santa coming!

Christmas morning began at 6 am and was just beautiful! All the kids loved their presents and I loved watching all of them enjoy it. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and watching everyone enjoy their gifts. I even got to take a nap!

Tomorrow we go to the river house for the Koppe Christmas. Santa will come again tomorrow night and we are all looking forward to being together. I am sure I will have some new pictures soon! Since Christmas is not quite over for us, I will say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Addi and Landon enjoying one of the many cookies that G-Mama spoils them with when we visit. This was on our quick trip to Atlanta last weekend.


G-Mama's beautiful new tree!!!


Me and my little ones in front of mom's tree.


Sadie all dressed up as Santa. How cute!


Mom showing the kids the special Christmas snowglobe.


Addi showing off her special Christmas ornament that she opened on Christmas Eve. If you can't tell it is Cookie Monster. She loves Cookie Monster!


Landon liking his new car ornament!


On Christmas Eve we played outside for about two hours and had so much fun. Daddy was home with us and we loved being together. Here is Landon attempting to po-go!


Addi wanted in on the action too. It was so funny, because neither one of them was really heavy enough to do it. They still loved it though!


Addi loves this toy lizard. It looks pretty real to me. Funny how much she likes to play with it. She did not get that from mommy!


Here is how Mike helps on Christmas Eve!!


Here is the happy Christmas Eve Griner family after opening the new ornaments!


LOOK! Santa came!!


Andi showing off her new ornament.


John opening his ornament.


Landon discovering a new truck!!


Addi analyzing her new airplane.


Landon loves his new race track!


Andi giving us her best Goooooo Dawgs cheer!


Addi trying out her new slide! Wheeeee!


John and Andi gave Addi a big Elmo and she loves it. Here she is giving it a big hug!


Landon discovering his new garbage truck! It has turned out to be one of his favorite toys. He and Addi love watching the garbage men come to our house on Wednesdays and we have even made friends with them. They are so nice to the kids and always wave and blow the big horn.


Andi showing off her new scarf and hat!


John opening up his new shirt.


Maggie loves opening presents and is really good at ripping off the paper.


Landon and Addi playing together Christmas afternoon. I love it when they play so nicely together.


Addi reaching for an ornament in her new slippers!


Addi loves jewlery. Here she is putting bracelets on her and her new teddy bear!


Maggie and her new toy given to her by Grandma Kay!


Mike relaxing in his new fleece from John and Andi!