Now that's what I call Christmas!

The family get-togethers began on the 22nd at our house...the Brand Christmas.

Posing all the kids before the gift-opening begins.

Rebecca got an easel. She loves it!


Anna and Vivian tearing into their gifts.


Ellen loves her new pet playset.


A Wii game?!


A basketball for William


MawMaw and Granddaddy start opening their gifts.


Not sure what this is all about.


In their matching ballerina gowns


Christmas Eve--The Woodall Christmas


Vivian and Rebecca both love these gifts from Granddaddy Bill.


Checking out the stockings...Rebecca and the recorder! Ellen shows her new sippy cup.



Home again and getting ready for Santa. Daddy reads 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.


Christmas morning: The first 3 were up at 5:45 to see what Santa brought!


Our stockings!


Ya think Henry might be a little excited?


Opening gifts


Wow!


Rebecca arrives downstairs fully dressed. She spots her pink MP3 player and her Hello Kitty camera and she is a happy girl!


Candy--my next favorite thing!


Off to Mema & Granddaddy's for a late breakfast.

Anna and Rebecca in their matching T-shirts that Beth decorated!


PawPaw and Ellen


Mema and Vivian


William, Walker, and Henry


Granddaddy


Now to Nannie & PawPaw's for a late lunch/early dinner

Nannie and PawPaw pose with their 11 grandchildren, ages 8 and under


Henry's excited again.


Anna and Vivian


I just can't believe I got an Elmo car!

Billy's birthday

Billy's dad took us all out for pizza for Billy's 39th birthday on Dec. 17th. (Got to get planning that 40th celebration next year!) I carried his traditional homemade red velvet birthday cake to the restaurant, in case you see a little of it on some toothy grins below.

Christmas parties

Whew, now that Christmas is OVER, I can sit back and reflect on all the fun we had! It was busy, busy, especially with all the activities at school. I am seriously thinking of having the boys in the same class next year. I know, I know, I vowed to have them separated for their own "identities," but this Mom is frazzled!
2009 was a good year for us, overall. It brought many changes and challenges, but I believe that each one has made us wiser, stronger, and more humble. God has blessed us in so many ways.

Throwing snowballs


Enjoying yummy food

Christmas fun at school

Henry decorating his gingerbread house


Rebecca putting some touches on hers


Vivian's preschool Christmas program



Getting a hug from Granddaddy David


Our angel. Her rendition of "Away in a Manger" will just melt your heart.



Vivian's preschool party



Henry's party: They decorated cookies and made several crafts.


William's party: They got a special visit from Santa!


Rebecca's party: They wore their pajamas and watched Polar Express and then had a fun party full of games and yummy snacks.

Ellen is now ONE

My sweet baby girl turned one on December 8th. Where has the time gone? She has grown from that little infant that just went everywhere I went over the past year into this little girl who has fought to make her presence known! She really loves to be out and about. She will not nap unless she is convinced that she won't miss anything! She is not walking yet. She can "lightning" crawl because the second she hears me open the dishwasher, she is there in a heartbeat. She loves to see what awaits her in there! She stands alone and cruises. She waves and blows kisses, and can say several words, like Mama, bye-bye, night-night, Daddy, more, Elmo. Billy even got her to say "Roll Tide" tonight! :) Her favorite food is banana. She adores her brothers and sisters. She has eight teeth now and her hair is getting very curly in the back.
We celebrated her birthday at home with family. She had a great time at her party, eating two whole cupcakes and showing everyone her "tricks."

December snowfall

We woke up December 5th to a little surprise, about a half inch of snow! Well, that wasn't the first time we were awakened...William woke me around 4 am vomiting beside my bed. This was after Henry vomited while riding through the Galaxy of Lights at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. (I was in the back seat of the van between Henry and William. Let's just say I am so glad there was a plastic bag in the car!) Ellen had been sick with a stomach virus earlier in the week, and was still having stomach "issues." I changed an icky diaper in a restaurant just before we headed to see the lights! Anyway, I digress... The snow was beautiful, although it didn't last very long. William was still under the weather and didn't feel like venturing out. Maybe January will bring more snow!