Santa comming early this year???

When we realized Anna would not be with us Christmas Eve night we were worried about what Santa would do. Would he even come to G.G. and Pops house? Would he take all her toys to Belton this year? Although we know he had a plan, we did not know what it was. Last year he called Zeke's house at the end of our Bateman/Lynam Christmas party and told Anna to go to bed soon because he was coming that night! She was so excited! He must have forgotten to tell us this year. We decided it was best to be ready just in case he came early....glad we did.

So G.G. baked cookies with the kids and we put cookies and milk out for Santa and carrots out for the reindeer. Anna even added a Swiss cake roll for Santa. I guess she though he would be really hungry. Santa was lucky he got any milk because Sullivan drank most of it before we even put it out. It was so cute to see them doing this together.

Sullivan really thought the cup was neat because when you turn it up to drink out of it it says, "Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas!" We had to bribe him to leave it for Santa!

The kids in front of Pop's new TV he got for Christmas!

Mike came in from Virginia that night and Santa had not come when he got there at 3:00 am. But...when the kids woke up at 8:30 am, he had come!!! So, we very sleepily woke up to two very excited kiddos!!! There is nothing better!!

Christmas at McDonalds

Yep, that is what it was! Since we were all limited for time we decided to meet the Georgers, our Sicily family, in Columbia to spend some time and let the kids exchange gifts. Allison(Georger) met Noni and got Anna on the way down to save us the trip which was so nice. Mom and I were a little nervous about taking Sullivan since he had not been feeling well, but he was in good spirits and seemed to be feeling better so we loaded up the car and headed out. We met them in the parking lot of Ritz Camera and let the kids run around a bit. Weird huh? Yes it was but...it was so nice to see the kids play and fight again. Nothing quite like 2 year olds. Being in the military you know that you will eventually be apart from your friends but the bond you make with friends overseas is huge and it is so hard to be so far apart from that special family. Because that is what they come afterall. Not just friends but family. After playing in the parking lot a bit we headed to McDonald's to get the kiddo's some ice cream and let them open presents. It was a good time! They gave Sullivan a super cute pottery barn captains chair with SULLY embroidered on it and a cute little tote full of cars ! He was thrilled and loves his chair! Anna got an adorable bag with an A on it and some Hannah Montana jewelry! She was tickled! The kiddos played while we chatted and then it was time to say goodbye! Well, not until after a little shopping! It was so good to see our Sicily family, our dear friends and that precious baby Colin! He was such a ham and has just gotten so full of himself! He is still as handsome as ever. They are growing up so so fast! We missed seeing Brian this time but I was happy to at least get a little time with Allison and Colin! Can't wait until next time!!!

First Annual Oyster Roast

The weekend Mike took Sully and I to Sumter (Dec 16th) we had our first annual holiday oyster roast at G.G. and Pop's house. We had a great time cooking and eating oysters, shrimp, potatoes, slaw etc... Sullivan ate his first shell fish, an oyster and liked it! He makes us so so proud! Looking forward to next years event...





And all we got was a smuckers uncrustable....poor babies! Yeah right!!!

Christmas Time

We headed home 10 days early for Christmas. Unfortunately Mike had to head back to work but he did get to hunt while he was there. They do call it hunting for a reason. ;) Mom and I shopped some, but Sullivan got sick and that slowed us down tremendously. Other than Sully being sick Christmas was as usual, wonderful - filled with so much family and friends, lots of wonderful gifts, yummy eats and of course constant reminders of how blessed we are as a family and as individuals!

There was so much going on that I have decided to post in sections, so...this first section is our annual Lynam-Bateman Christmas Party. We have been doing these as long as I can remember. We used to do them on Christmas Eve and I can so vividly remember Zeke and I in the backseat of the car looking for Rudolph's nose as we drove home. Things have changed so much since we were little. We have sadly lost many family members and as the circle of life beautifully goes we have added many members to our family - from marriages to new babies! This year the annual Christmas party was at Bootsie's house at the Santee - a place we all love. Bootsie is my aunt by marriage. Her husband, my Uncle Jimmy, was my dads first cousin. It is amazing how close our families have been and how much fun we have had getting together. Bootsie has always been so wonderful to my family and my kids and I feel really blessed that she and mom really keep our families close. The kids on the way to "Gogi's" house!!! They were so excited!

Bootsie had Santa come to her house as a surprise to all the kids. It was great! Some were pleasantly surprised and told him everything they wanted and others....well, were not so pleasantly surprised and just wanted to "go outside" when her got there. Yes that was my Sully. Elliott was so sweet to tell Santa what Sullivan wanted. All he wanted was a blue jeep and a baby sister! He did get a camouflage jeep from G.G. and Pop but I warned him that he may have to wait until next year for the baby sister. (G.G. was a little help to the baby sister part - I feel no pressure at all! ;) ) Ashley, Jamie and Bootsie taking pictures of Burns with Santa

Anna telling Santa what she wanted for Christmas - iPod, Sperry's, Hannah Montana stuff...

Sullivan's picture with Santa! He was terrified!

Elliott telling Santa what was on Sullybear's list!

The kids with Santa Clause! Notice Zeke is included in this pix! :)

Anna holding baby Laurel for the first time!

Sullivan holding baby Laurel. He asks to hold her all the time. He had a little assistance this time.

G.G. in grand baby heaven!

Soon to be another addition in the family!

My baby girl! Gosh I wish we got to see Anna more often!

We had a really nice time. The kids got lots of great gifts! They played well together and all behaved! The food was fabulous and the company was even better! We look forward to many more Lynam/Bateman parties!

I'll be home for Christmas.....

There is nothing like being home for Christmas. Mom always has the house decked out and both Mom and Dad are excited about the holidays! Mom and I shop until our legs hurt at night and wrap presents into the wee hours of the night! We go see Christmas lights, go to Christmas Eve service at our family church and just really enjoy being together. I have some of the best Christmas memories: Eating oranges with daddy and throwing the peels in the fire, Christmas caroling on a boat while visiting Aunt Nancy, our family Christmas parties, decorating moms tree and how she left in on all hours of the day and night and even one time all year round, getting so many wonderful gifts, traveling on Christmas Day to see family we do not get to see often... I have so many wonderful memories that the list would never end. Each year is special in it's own way. As we get older it is so neat to see how our lives change and how our wants differ. I used to have a list of what I wanted. Mom still asks for it, but now there is nothing more important than being with my family and for my kids to have all the wonderful Christmas memories that I had. I want my kids to love it like I did and to bond like my brother and I did. Every year Zeke would wake up before me, go peek and then come to get me telling me "Santa came!" Sometimes he would wake up and get in the bed with me promising each other that whoever woke up first would wake the other one up. Funny, he was such a brat! He would always pout if he didn't get what he wanted or if my "pile" looked bigger than his (maybe his love language is "gift giving/receiving") and let me tell you we always got what we wanted! Mom and Dad started doing scavenger hunts for him just to see him pout and then get excited! We were so blessed as kids. We had everything we wanted and some, our stockings were filled, and we were blessed with a loving family who wanted nothing more than to see us filled with childlike joy Christmas morning. My parents are not wealthy but they made sure they could provide for us in every way that was important and for them, the happiness of their children on Christmas morning was a priority. So...as I grow older and see myself morphing into my parents, I too enjoy seeing my kids excited about Santa and what he may bring! I know this is not what it is all about....but like my parents I will do what fills my heart at Christmas time! It will not be all about receiving, they will also learn the joy of giving and we will never forget that this holiday is not ALL about the big jolly fat guy and presents but most importantly it is a celebration of the birth of Jesus and we will always remember His great sacrifice for each of us. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas. That your hearts were filled with the joy of Christmas and all that it encompasses! This is my favorite holiday - hands down!

"Duffie"

So, Sullivan named his Elf on the Shelf "Duffie". The only thing I can think of is that maybe he was trying to say elfie and said Duffie. It stuck. Every night he tells Duffie goodnight and he wakes up every morning in search of Duffie. "Hey Mama/Daddy, where's Duffie?" So, we go with him in search. You see, Duffie watches over Sullivan and then at night he uses his Christmas magic to fly to the North Pole to spend time with Santa. He is like an informant for Santa. He tells Santa what Sullivan wants for Christmas and if Sullivan has been good or bad that day. Then it is up to Santa. Duffie comes back and sits in a new place everyday. Did I mention that I LOVE the Christmas season and everything that comes with it(except the bill)!!!

Puttin' up the ole tree...

When we got back from S.C. we promptly decorated our house and put up our tree. I LOVE the Christmas season want to be able to enjoy it every minute we can. We decided since we would not be here very much to still use our Sigonella Christmas tree. It is quite pitiful, but it is ours and we have lots of memories with it. Maybe next year we will get a real one!! Sullivan had a good time decorating, or better yet throwing the balls around. He is in charge of turning the tree on every morning. Good times. I love the Christmas season!