Christmas at Nannie's

This year has been a different year. Gathering at Nannie's house has been exciting for the little ones, but sad for those of us who realize how different it is without Papa and Grandaddy. Thank goodness for the busy-ness of the kids for keeping our chins up and smiles all the way around. Sunday, we gathered at Nannies's house after church. Mom had said that she was not cooking. I suggested that we order platters from Publix. These platters where a hit. Sara put together some fabulous appetizers. We sat and enjoyed the kids and visited until after dark. Grandmother was able to join us for a few hours. She quietly sat and enjoyed the sites around her.
Hunter was so excited about opening gifts he couldn't help but ask every 10 minutes if it was time to open gifts. Finally, after lunch, Adam (aka Santa) started having the little ones pass out gifts. It was so cute to see him interact with them and try to orchestrate the process of handing out the gifts. The little ones looked like busy little elves. Hunter was the head elf trying to keep control of the situation, which was impossible at times. Once all of the gifts were open, we began to tear into them. Each of them had 5 gifts from Nannie. We also exchanged names. Sara bought for Hunter and Mackenzie this year. She found "My Little Ponies" for Mackenzie and a Lego game for Hunter. Nannie found a few special items for the kids. One in particular has a big significance.
As Mackenzie tore into one of the packages, I spotted a light blue box with "Madame Alexandre" posted all over it. Nannie gave her Mackenzie her first "Madame Alexandre" doll, Puddin'. Here is a little history of the significance...growing up, I was given a collector's doll every birthday. However, every Christmas Eve, I would go to bed and wake up with a new Madame Alexandre doll at the end of my bed. I ALWAYS looked forward to seeing what doll I would be blessed with that year. Thanks to Nannie, I still have them all and am ready to share them. Now Mackenzie has her own to play with.
She was also given a microphone, a Dora microphone to be exact and a tutu. With the doll in under her arm, the skirt on, and microphone in hand, we had a concert to blow all other concerts away. Evan had also received a microphone. They had a few duets.
Hunter was given additions for his Lego City. He went right to work. I love watching him work on these projects. It amazes me how he can follow those step by step instructions without any help from us. Putting puzzles and Lego creations together, reading, and writing have really become a talent of his this year. I am so proud of him.
Even though the room seemed different without the two men who meant most to us growing up, we all still enjoyed each other's company and made some new memories to begin this chapter of our lives.

PS
I have so many pictures because so many cameras where going. Thanks to everyone for capturing these moments.