"Kooky Cookies"

Every year since I have known your DeeDee, we bake batches and batches of delectible cookies at Christmas time. And this year was no different. Landon, you were so eager to help. You measured and poured, mixed and scooped. Mamaw chopped the figs and dates and offered much comic relief. We made the "kitchen sink cookie" (there's chocolate, coconut, dates, figs, nuts, peanut butter chips, you name it, it's in there), a chocolate chip variety and an all chocolate one. Shelby, you weren't too sure about the mixer, but you were sure about the taste-testing!

"Tracking Santa"

Today we headed down south to DeeDee and Papa's for Christmas. But not before we went by Poppie, JuJu and Me-Me's to give them kisses. It just so happened that this Saturday morning was the morning that Santa rides through their neighborhood on a fire truck. When we got there, we all could hear the sirens, but couldn't really tell how far away they were, and I really was ready to get the journey started and didn't want to wait around for the old guy. So, we loaded up in two cars and went on a Santa hunt! We caught up to him all the way in another neighborhood and jumped out of the cars, just in the nick of time (pun definitely intended)! Poppie had made a little sign letting him know we were traveling to New Orleans, so he would be sure to know where we were. We caught loads of tootsie rolls and candy canes; great for our car ride!?

"The Elf on the Shelf"

So...last night, we had a visitor come all the way from the north pole. It is an elf, and he brought a book all about him. We learned that he was Santa's helper, and he would watch us everyday, and then report back to Santa each night. We gave him a name, Mistletoe Mark, and put him up on the shelf for him to keep an eye on us.

Don't you dare touch him, Landon!

The first night that Mistletoe Mark was with us, we woke up to this! He had all of our Christmas books dumped out, and he was reading one to the snowman and the reindeer! Mommy promptly returned him to his shelf.

The next morning, he was found in the bathroom sink filled with miniature marshmallows. He even had a rubber ducky and tiny little towels.

He had a bird's eye view this morning. And he must have been cold. He was wearing the mitten and stocking ornaments on his hands and feet!

Last night you spent the night at Poppie and JuJu's, and what do you know, Mark showed up over there. He was found in the pantry eating potty corn!

It took us a while to find him this morning; he was totally camoflagued at the top of the tree. The next morning (I forgot the picture) he was kneeling at our nativity with a note reminding Landon to remember the reason for the season.

Mischievous Mistletoe Mark thought it would be fun to play with some of Landon's cars! I tell you, this is one bad elf. He is into everything!

Would you believe that he followed us down to New Orleans to Papa and DeeDee's?!? We found him this morning all snugged up in a Santa hat in the cats' bed.

This was too much! He was found on the couch eating popcorn watching the movie "Elf!"

And here he is on our baking table after many batched baked, making snow angels out of flour! This elf gets into more mischief!

What a surprise this morning! He had gotten DeeDee's computer and somehow received emails from Santa for Landon and Shelby! He really is watching!

And on his last morning, Christmas Eve morning, he left us a tangled mess of ribbon and tape AND "Monsters, Inc." and "Beauty and the Beast" as a little good bye present. We sure did enjoy searching for Mark each day and seeing that elves get into a little trouble themselves. Here's hoping he gives a good report to the Old Man!

"Pancakes With Santa 2011"

Today was Pancakes with Santa at church. We invited our neighbors to come too. Landon, you came prepared too. You had been shopping for toys in catalogs for weeks prior to this. And with your final selections made, you brought your magazines with you, so Santa would know exactly what you wanted this year for Christmas. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived shortly after we got there, and Landon, you were eager to get in line. Shelby was not so sure. Once you got up to Santa's lap, you flipped page after page telling him your wishes. We tried to get Shelby to sit on his lap, but that was NOT happening. Once we told Santa of all of our wishes, we enjoyed some delicious pancakes with some great friends.