A Redneck Christmas

 We traveled to Cotton Plant, MS (never heard of it) Saturday night before Christmas. It was about a 30 minute drive. They had acres of Christmas blowups set up. They said it is the largest collection of Christmas blowups in the country...I believe it. There were tons of people there and had people directing traffic and parking. It was free, but they accepted donations. They were all set up in themes and had different music for all. We wandered around for about an hour in 30 degrees but still didn't see it all.

 This reminded me of my Mema's christmas decorations. She had a light-up choir like this in miniature.

 My little snowmen next to the snowman.

 Pictures just don't do it justice!! It really did go on for acres!

Christmas in Nashville

 We spent Christmas in Nashville this year. AK had so much fun opening presents with her cousins. They had to leave Christmas Eve, so she really liked opening some early. She got to spend the night with them on the 23rd and thought she was such a big girl.

 The Reynolds family. (Michael's sister, Kathy)

 AK and Olivia showing off their splits.

 Santa left a baby Buttercup!! Wow! It's a magical show pony. (aka horsey robot)

 Aunt Kathy and AK making pop bead jewelry. AK told us we all had to work together to make a really long necklace. She is already a really good teamleader.

 Emma really enjoyed cuddling with baby Buttercup as well.

Stennis enjoying his Mississippi State Football Vault.

Medium Mouse

 As usual, we saw the Nutcracker at TPAC in Nashville, but this year our niece, Olivia, joined the cast as Medium Mouse. AK was super exited to get to see her perform. Olivia did such an outstanding job!!!

 We got to go backstage after the performance for pictures. This is Clara.

 Members of the Nashville Ballet from the Waltz of the Flowers.

With her cousin, Coleman while waiting for the cars.

Gingerbread House 2012

 This year was definitely the best Gingerbread house experience yet. I  basically just helped with the icing and she decorated it herself. She was so careful putting all the candies on. But as usual, the first words spoken once the house was completed..."can we eat it???!!" Needless to say, the house is being demolished by AK and Michael as I type.

So proud!!

Visit with Santa

 We had brunch with Santa at the Country Club today. AK was sooooo excited to see "the real Santa". She ran right up to him climbed in his lap and told him exactly what she wants for Christmas. 5 must be the perfect Santa age. This was much easier than going to the mall. She drew a picture for Mrs. Claus, so Ava was a little disappointed that she wasn't able to make the trip with Santa from the North Pole. I guess she was still busy baking cookies or building Gingerbread houses (which is our afternoon activity).

More house updates

 This is Saturday. Basically just more framing going on. That is Michael and AK walking on the second floor. It was fun to see 14 mallards hanging out in the pond in front of the house. Lucky for them, we aren't hunters!

 

 

2nd Floor

This is the house update as of Monday afternoon. There is a 2nd floor!

Christmas Parade 2012

 On our way to our float, we stopped to see Ava Kathryn's tree she planted when she was 1.

 Grandpa built a float to enter in this year's Greenville Christmas Parade. We went to Greenville this weekend to be part of all of the festivities and ride on the float. We had such a great time riding on the float, listening to the music, and waving to the crowds. The parade was HUGE this year. After the parade, we had hot chocolate and ice cream downtown and watched a lavish fireworks display over the levee.

 silliness on the float with toy soldiers and Aunt Tracy

Ava Kathryn and her new friend Hannah chilling towards the end of the parade route.

Last Game

Having fun at the last Mississippi State home game of 2012.

We got a Christmas Tree, a Real One!

Ava was super excited to go pick out a tree. Here she is hugging it after we got it set up and watered.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

 We spent Thanksgiving at my Aunt Rose and Uncle Don's house in Tupelo. Tracy and Mark got to come for most of the day and eat with us. Ava had the best time playing with her cousins. They were NONSTOP for hours! They played school, pushed each other on the bike thingy (pictured below), dug in the dirt, and had a fashion show. We had fabulous weather and equally fabulous food!

 My dad with his family.

 The craziness of the picture taking!

 The newest addition to the McGarrh family...my cousin Lindsey's baby Ashton.

The kids table. I don't think much eating actually ocurred here, though.

Goodbye Ellie

 Despite her best efforts to fight her cancer and chemo overdose, Ellie was in too much pain and was put to sleep today. We miss her so much. She has left a huge hole in our heart.

Hanging with old friends

 AK got together with her best friends at a chuck e cheese birthday party for Darby Claire. This year they are all at different schools and don't see each much. They were so silly and had a great time hanging out together again.

Witchy Woman

 Continuing our Halloween tradition, AK and I went to the Swinney's to trick-or-treat. Michael wasn't able to go with us because he was picking up Ellie from MSU vet school. As usual, Ava had a great time and loaded up!

 I'm not exactly sure what this pose was all about.

AK with her pumpkin she and Granpa carved while she was in Greenville. Every witch needs a kitty cat pumpkin!

Ellie-pup update

We went to visit Ellie at The Mississippi State Vet School where she has been in ICU since the night of October 16. Ellie had a cervical spine tumor debulked by the neurosurgeons at State mid August and has been recovering well until she was started on her chemotherapy regime. It was supposed to be a low dose and not even cause side effects to add a little length to her life. Unfortunately, our vet gave her a much higher (leathal) dose than she was supposed to recieve. Ellie was admitted to the vet school with virtually no white blood cells, platelets, or new red blood cells. No one really expected her to make it through this, but she has kept fighting and has responded well to the invented therapy since there was no documented treatment for a chemo overdose of this magnitude. Her white blood cell count is currently normal and she is no longer in isolation. Her platelet and red blood cells are being manufactured again, and barring anymore complications, we will bring her home on Tuesday. We are very hopeful. It was good to have the whole family together again for a little while today!

This was a picture of her when she wasn't doing very well in her crate in the ICU. The staff at State were very good about calling with updates and texting pictures.