Christmas 2011

Did you know that Santa and Mrs. Claus have a house here in Franklin, Tennessee???? Well they do, and we were invited to an Open House at their house this year. The kids were beside themselves. They wore their pj's, had cookies with Mrs. Claus and got to tour the whole house that is decked out for Christmas year round of course. Danielle still didn't want her picture in Santa's lap - maybe next year but she was mesmerized by him all the same. John Tanner was one of the first kids invited to sit in his lap and give him his wish list. It was very special and we appreciated getting to spend such a fun afternoon with the Clauses. Both of the kids had him sign their "Twas the Night Before Christmas" books and will treasure that for years and generations to come. Thank you Santa.

John Tanner has had his picture taken with this Santa Claus all 10 of his years. They even got to have lunch together at McDonald's one time when JT was about 4 years old.

JT and Danielle in one of Santa's toy rooms. They loved looking at every little detail and were amazed by all of this trinkets.

Danielle liked Santa and Mrs. Claus' bed and the fact that his red hat hangs on the bed post!

JT with Santa's suit hanging in the bathroom!

Dan and the kids at Lowe's with our $10.93 Christmas tree the week before Christmas!!! Between JT's birthday and Dan and I both being sick with colds, we just couldn't get the tree earlier. Worked in our favor financially though. We had just been to a lot right before this looking at $75 tree - when we found this one, we were able to buy it and dinner for less than $75 - Dan was thrilled!

My most special Christmas present this year. This Mary and Baby Jesus was carved for me by my Daddy. I just cried when I opened it, being so touched that he took the time to make this for me with his own two hands. I will treasure it always, just as I have always looked forward every year to putting out the Nativity figurines he carved when I was a child. Daddy, you will never know how much this means to me. I love you very much.

Danielle shows off her Pink Princess Christmas tree in her room. Just like when I was a little girl, she loved having a tree in her room with the lights on at night. There's just something magical about going to sleep by Christmas tree lights.

JT hangs his stocking wondering what will be in it the next morning?

Danielle hangs her Princess stocking on the fire place waiting for Santa to fill it up.

The kids putting out Santa's cookies and Diet Coke - anxiously waiting for Santa to get to 1702 Stoney Hill Lane! We were so excited to have Grandma spend the night with us too.

Christmas morning at the Kamunen's house - before another day of "kaos" ensues!

John Tanner gets a T-Rac pillow buddy. JT LOVES T-Rac at the Titans games.

Danielle gets the pink snow boots she has been wanting since the snow last year!!!! We had to work hard to convince her that these are not good shoes to wear to school everyday! She didn't buy this so easily.

Danielle gets a special book from Mommy on the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Danielle and Mommy watched the wedding together in the wee morning hours (3am) on April 29th. It was 30 years since Mommy watched William's parents have their own magical, royal wedding. I have a book that my mom gave me that Christmas - so it was exciting to share this with Danielle. I remember her sleepy eyes looking up at me after they came out of Westminster Abbey to get into the carriage and Danielle asked "Is she a princess now Mommy?" "Yes sweetheart, she is now Princess Catherine. Danielle thinks she is such a pretty princess with hair like "Belle" and she loves to hear news stories about her.

John Tanner and Daddy get tickets to the Predators VS Red Wings Hockey Game for the night after Christmas. Red Wings are JT's favorite rivals for the Preds so he was way excited. Unfortunately the Red Wings smoked us 4 to 1. But they had a great time anyway. John Tanner's favorite player is Jordin TooToo

The kids having fun with some of their new gifts. Danielle had been asking for a new umbrella for months!

Dan gets a new Titan's Hat

Grandma was WAY happy to get her new blanket to snuggle with this winter. Last year she gave me one with Edward on it. I had already bought this for her this year when I was visiting her one day and going through catalogs and she says....."did you know that they have Jacob blankets??" I just smiled and acted like I didn't know what she was talking about. She was pretty excited to open hers this year!

Uncle Bill is a closet "Twiguy", so I just had to get him something to mark him as a fan. So he got the
"Runs with Wolves" shirt.

Aunt Karla and Danielle having fun on Christmas day.

To mark the occasion that I got my "Mother-in-Love" hooked on Twilight - the books and the movies! It makes it even more fun that she's a team Jacob and I'm a team Edward! We had fun going to see "Breaking Dawn" together.

Grandma with her big gift for the year.....her new friend "Henry".

Aunt Karla and Uncle Mike with great news to add to the Christmas festivities!

Karla's Big announcement at Christmas. We are so happy to now have Uncle Mike join our family. Karla seems so happy and we are so happy for her and for Mike. We wish them many years of love and happiness to come!