I had good intentions of posting about our Christmas festivities before the turn of the new year, but I suppose I just got too busy living life to actually talk about it. And so, for the sake of posterity, I will post about the Christmas of 2010.
Firstly, this has been the hands-down "funnest" Christmas ever. As fun as the Christmases of my own childhood were, I daresay they are even better know that I am a mother. I remember momma being giddy around this time when we were young. Giddy is not a word that would otherwise describe momma, but come Christmastime ... momma was giddy. This year, I would call her and tell her that I know now that she wasn't crazy back then, just having a real good time. :o) Christmas really is "the most wonderful time of the year."
We baked and ate heavily. We consumed dangerous amounts of snowballs, sugar cookies, fudge, and store-bought candy canes.
To counter the sweetness, we each ate our weight in sausage balls, which really have nothing in particular to do with Christmas but everything to do with all holidays.
And don't forget the oyster stew.
This year, our home saw more twinkly lights buried in green boughs than ever before. I love the glow of tiny lights. I am not the only one who falls victim to its allure.
One evening, while Mike was bathing the babies, I set up trees in each of their rooms. Just small ones, nothing major ... but, oh my goodness, they loved them. Amelia Kate was always making promises to go directly to sleep if we left hers lit. The first night it was up, she told her daddy it was so beautiful she didn't want to close her eyes. Haha! I love that it doesn't take much to make them happy. I made a big deal out of it, and they just fed off of that. It was truly the greatest.
Jack's tree ...
Amelia's tree ...
Amelia is attracted to all things glitzy these days, so I thought it was only fitting that her tree have some sparkle. Her tree was outfitted with tiny pearl lights, blush pink glass ornaments, and silver and gold extras. Glitz is a total departure for me. So it is glitz with restraint. I figure that little girls deserve a little sparkle just like the big girls every now and then. ;o)
Both Jack and Amelia must have been on Santa's good list this year, because sure treated them Christmas morning.
Santa even dropped off some snow here in Atlanta ... just enough for some tiny snowmen, which is plenty for me.
The 2010 Barber family Christmas plate - worth sentimental value only.
And we all know that is worth far more than any other value.
Our little family's time together at Christmas is so very special to us, and it's something I cherish with all my heart. We have been thrilled to create new traditions and grow closer together in them.
Now that the New Year is in full swing, Mike and I are busy on our resolutions lists and coming up with ways we can help each other see our hopes and dreams. The first one on my list has something to do with watching what I eat, of course. And I'll get right to it ...
right after I eat this celebratory New Year firecracker cupcake...
Happy New Year to all y'all, my sweet friends!
Hey doll
aaahhh beautiful pictures.
Your kiddos are darling
hope you had a fab new years!
oxooxox,
jessi
Posted by: scrappy jessi | January 02, 2011 at 04:21 PM
Love all the pictures! Their precious faces are sheer JOY! Sounds like a wonderful Christmas!!
Posted by: Shannon | January 02, 2011 at 04:26 PM
Everything looks perfectly festive. I especially love the family Christmas plate. And the pictures of the food, of course.
Oh, and in case you didn't know it, AK grew a mile sometime since you last posted a picture of her. Not sure how that happened.
Posted by: Julie, the Mama | January 02, 2011 at 04:56 PM
Awwww, awesome! We have a lot of the same traditions! I did Christmas trees in the kids rooms this year too. I did a bright pink one in Audrey's! I did silver and gold in the boy's and let them decorate them both and they had so much fun. They came up with some neat little ideas. What is your recipe for the sausage balls? Yummy!!!
And did you make those Barbie clothes???
Posted by: Erin Branscom | January 02, 2011 at 05:16 PM
I'm a single dad of 2, age 2 and 5. I find your site so interesting and helpful. I hope I have much time each day to drop by and check your site for recent post. By the way thank you for sharing this.
Posted by: Single Dad | January 02, 2011 at 08:03 PM
brilliant! I'm so glad you posted about your Christmas.
I set up a tiny silver tinsel tree for my little girls favourite toy, Naught-Nee the cat. She was so ecstatic that he had his own tree, I nearly cried seeing her happiness! It's so true that it really does not take much to make tiny people truly happy.
Wishing you a very happy new year :O) xx
Posted by: sadie | January 03, 2011 at 12:01 AM
It looks like you had a fabulous Christmas. And those New Years cupcakes look yummy! Aren't little ones SO MUCH FUN? It almost makes me want to have another. Almost:)
Posted by: Maria | January 03, 2011 at 04:20 AM
Looks like y'all had a great Christmas! I love the pictures of Amelia and Jack. They are so good!! I cannot get over how good they did with Santa. Wow! Happy New Year :)
Posted by: Carrie Mizell | January 03, 2011 at 08:34 AM
Such cute pictures! I love AK and Jack Jack's faces--especially AK's smiles when she looks like she's up to mischief! I love the traditions you are starting, particularly the Christmas trees in each room. Such a sweet idea and I know your family will be so happy to have them in the future! :) Happy New Year to you too!!
Posted by: Becky | January 03, 2011 at 09:42 AM
Such a sweet Christmas recap! :) Looks like yall had a great one! The pics of JackJack and AK are precious, as always. Those two sure are some pretty babies!!! I love that you put a tree in their rooms this year! SO fun! I cant wait for next year, I know AB will be SO into it! She was into it this year, but I know next will be even better! And may I also say how darling Barbie's dresses are?!?!? I dont know where you found them, but they are precious!
Posted by: Annie | January 03, 2011 at 12:19 PM
What beautiful pictures! We missed seeing you in person but your comments with the pics are priceless! AK must take after cousin Emilee. I always said, "if it ain't flashy and trashy" she wasn't interested. She's grown out of it now so live large while you can! Love ya,
Posted by: Aunt Kay | January 03, 2011 at 12:33 PM
Love the photos! I've never had oyster stew. Maybe I'll get brave and try it next year!
Posted by: Johna | January 03, 2011 at 03:50 PM
Whoa! Those are some seriously southern Barbies with big hair. I know that is what all of ours looked like growing up...but somehow I thought they had a more tamed mane these days.
Glad you put up Jack’s fish face. All the pictures are great but I am partial to the one with his mouth hanging open. Don’t know why. Just love it. But I adore the kids and the lights! Little sweeties. Makes me miss them. I just have to get on YouTube and watch AK baking cookies when that feeling comes. Or when I want a PB&J.
Glad to know that Amelia likes glitz. You have been holding out on that for some reason. Come April you will have a Bedazzler in your mailbox. Complete with rhinestone refills. If I would have had the information sooner, your little snowman might have had a glamed up face : )
Happy you had a Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Kelly Jo | January 03, 2011 at 06:48 PM
All your decorations looks so magical! And I just love, love, love your babies' cute little christmas outfits! Precious!
Posted by: christy | January 04, 2011 at 08:19 AM
Oh everything looked so cozy and warm!!! What a beautiful Christmas you had! I only wish I could have taken part in all those snow ball cookies and sausage balls.
How sweet that you put little trees in their rooms!!! That is a memorable tradition that I'm sure they will treasure each year.
Many blessings to you and the fam for a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year my southern friend!!!
And tell your kids to just STOP getting so big. Jack Jack looks entirely too much like a little boy and not enough like the baby I remember him as. Geesh!
Posted by: Bri | January 04, 2011 at 12:23 PM
I just love this post. seriously. just love it. :)
(and we have a picture with the same santa)
Posted by: Amy | January 05, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Thank you for sharing such wonderful photos! Love the ones of Amelia Kate & Jack! Adorable! Looks like you and your family had a fantastic Christmas!
Happy New Year to you, too!!
Posted by: Lynn | January 05, 2011 at 02:24 PM
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ there are not enough ♥'s around to express how much I love your Christmas 2010 pictures and happenings. Your children are beautiful and I am so glad that they are growing up with the love of God, their parents and family around them. The holidays are so special and I think you all enjoyed and glorified Jesus with each and every celebration. Wishing you blessings throughout the year and wishing you many, many happy blogging hours just sayin that I adore looking at those cute children and hearing about the funny stories of your life.
Gran C in Athens
Posted by: Carol & Max Harrell | January 05, 2011 at 03:45 PM
Beautiful photos and a beautiful family. Thankyou for sharing them with us, Katie. Happy New Year to you all.
Blessings
Claire
Posted by: Heart Reflections Live | January 05, 2011 at 05:53 PM
Dearest Katie,
I should like to begin by saying:
Oh, that belly!
Aren't those little bellies the Good Lord's dearest design?
Katie, I find this post so touching, as I have experienced what I can call a First Christmas. My little one is now old enough to live the wonders of this beautiful season, and I certainly live them in a dear new way. Thank you, sweet friend.
Posted by: Searcy | January 07, 2011 at 12:20 PM
Your babies are precious! I'm hoping for my first Santa picture with my babies next year....fingers crossed!
Posted by: Jaime Price | January 08, 2011 at 11:02 AM
Your family is precious! Would you be willing to share your sausage ball recipe?? I am in MOPS and that would be a great brunch treat to take! Thanks!
Posted by: www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawmkehb4IaNtdwsA3VDK_28sklfLnAxJWgM | January 11, 2011 at 04:18 PM
I love love love this post, mama! And I simply must tell you that we got about 20,000 Barbies this Christmas and so now naked ones are trekking all over the place with us, LOL. It made me think of you guys. ;o)
I'm back to blogging, too, so I wanted to share that...and did I tell you that we're having another little Budd in the summer?! Oh my, bring on the water ice for what I know is sore feet on hot days to come! Not that I'm going to put my toes into cherry or anything...although...hmmm...
So glad you guys had a wonderful Christmas and praying for a terrific new year, too!!
Posted by: Kelly | January 11, 2011 at 07:43 PM
Hi Katie. We have bought a new (to us) house, and are trying to figure out some sort of backsplash in the kitchen. I remember that you had started a backsplash project. What did you do, and how did it turn out? Can we see pix?! I love all your ideas and projects! Thanks!
~Susan~
Posted by: Susan Huff | January 12, 2011 at 07:40 AM
They are darling, and you are blessed all-around. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Jeannine | January 12, 2011 at 08:13 AM
I love getting to see those beautiful pictures of Amelia and Jack. Your Christmas decorations were beautiful! I'm loving the Barbie collection and the homemade Christmas plate. =)
Miss you guys! Love you!
Posted by: Rachel | January 13, 2011 at 02:46 PM
Katie, beautiful pics! Your kids are precious! I'm a Mom of 3 little ones! I loved the sneak peek in Jack's room! It's really cute! Loved that old truck by his christmas tree! Where did you find those Barbie's are they vintage!?! What about the GI Joe stuff is it vintage? What book is that pic of the sleigh ride from? Love that illustration!
Looks like you all had a terrific Christmas! Give us a scoop on your January resolutions and deep cleaning and organizing! I'm assuming you are busy whipping your house into shape like the rest of us! :)
~ Ali
Posted by: Ali | January 14, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Have you bought or DIY a dollhouse for you cutie yet? Just curious! I'm on the hunt myself for a dollhouse and was thinking of trying to make one! If I bought one I love the PBK's dollhouse but, its pricey!
~ Ali
Posted by: Ali | January 16, 2011 at 01:19 PM
I love your site! Great family and lovely pictures!
Posted by: Jean Mattox | January 20, 2011 at 07:30 PM
Katie,
I miss you and your posts! I'm thinking you must have taken the entire month to deep clean and organize your home or maybe you have gone to visit your little niece or maybe just maybe you have decided to take on a special "bun in the oven" project for 2011! Whatever you are doing I'm sure you are doing it with laughter and style! Happy New Year!
~ Ali
Posted by: Ali | January 25, 2011 at 10:49 AM
where oh were is our friend Katie?? Hope all is well, sure do miss your posts!!
Posted by: Alix | January 31, 2011 at 05:37 AM
hello??!!?!?!?!? you out there?!?!?!?! we havent had a Katie-post in weeks. I'm having withdrawls... Hope all is well with you guys! Just checking on ya and saying I miss ya!!! :)
Posted by: Annie | February 04, 2011 at 03:42 AM
Hey Katie, I know you're a busy Mommy, but really missing your posts. Let us know what's been up this month with those babies and that beautiful home of yall's.
~Susan~
Posted by: Susan Huff | February 04, 2011 at 02:35 PM
Missing your blog posts! Hope all is well with your family!
Posted by: Amber | February 04, 2011 at 06:38 PM
Katie! I've missed your posts lately. I hope all is well. Your children are just precious and what a great gift you and your husband give to them in your home and life. I just adore the photo of your daughter baking. I have so many memories of my little sister baking shirtless with flour all over her and in her hair. Priceless memories!
Posted by: christi | February 10, 2011 at 05:58 PM
We love sausage balls for all holidays around our house too! :)
Posted by: Sarah {Monogram Chick} | February 11, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Honey, where are ya?
Posted by: Farrah | February 12, 2011 at 06:47 PM
I check in every day, almost, miss your posts and seeing those sweet kiddos, hope everything is fine and dandy, no one sick or hurt and that maybe you're just super busy! Blessings, Mindi
Posted by: Mindi White | February 13, 2011 at 08:20 PM
hope all is well with you and yours, and that you had a lovely Valentine's.
x
Posted by: sadie | February 18, 2011 at 05:19 AM
Hey, girl! I miss your posts! It's not like you to go so long without sharing. Hope everything is okay. Just wanted you to know you're in my prayers.
Posted by: Amanda | February 19, 2011 at 07:52 AM
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Posted by: 4D Ultrasounds | March 07, 2011 at 02:23 AM
Where did you find those precious Barbie outfits? I, too, have a 4 year old and finding clothes for her Barbies is increasingly frustrating--those outfits are adorable and, for lack of a better word, not skanky.
Posted by: Joy Peterson | August 23, 2011 at 09:46 AM