With Bells Ringing...

Another holiday tradition a success! It was the Nashville Symphony's Christmas Concert today. Every year, Bill and I get Anna and William dressed up and drive downtown to hear fantastic music.

This year we had to plan it a little differently since Bill had to work. So, we invited my niece, Abbey--a budding violinist--to join us. We decided to make it casual (comfortable) and wear jeans and sweaters. And, the kids invited and brought their elves to the concert (Libby, Caroline and Sammy).

The performance was spectacular! They had spirits perform while the symphony was playing--definitely keeping the children's attention. Afterwards, we went to Maggiano's for lunch and conversation. A very pleasant afternoon!

"Spend-the-Night" Party

Anna and my brother's daughter, Kelsey, love each other so much! We try to get them together on a regular basis. For this last "spend-the-night" party, Anna and Kelsey dressed up to spy on the boys--and then--headed off to gymnastics together. Here are some of the photos:

In Spy-Gear

At Gymnastics:

Hockey Night!

Bill and William love going to the Nashville Predator hockey games. Sometimes Anna and I will join them. On Saturday night, Anna wanted a break...so Bill and I took William and my nephew, Ian, to the game. Of course, the boys wanted to stop at one of their favorites restaurants before going to the Sommet Center.

At the game, the boys loved watching the players, watching the cheerleaders and eating the sweets. The Predators beat the Dallas Stars 3-0. A great night for all!

A Rare Moment

Anna and William gave each other this hug on Saturday evening. It warmed my heart! Definitely a moment to remember. Simple, but sweet.

Our First Snowfall

We got our first taste of snow Thursday night. We were hoping there would be so much snow when we woke up Friday morning that school would be cancelled. However, the snow was minimal in the city--not true east of Nashville. So, instead of pursuing education...we decided to pursue the largest amount of snowfall we could find. The kids, their elves and I suited up and went driving. We found some great snow between Murfreesboro and Knoxville. We had a blast!

Anna took some pictures on Thursday night of the flurries. I swear the pictures look like there's some paranormal activity happening in our backyard! You be the judge.

An Early Morning Elf Adventure

Sam and Caroline were able to reconnect with their friend, Frosty!

The elves played in the Christmas Tree at Green Hills Mall.

Sam, Caroline and Hazel taking a break in Santa's chair.

The three tired North Pole workers!

Anna & William took their elves to Starbucks for a pick-me-up!

Sam loved his warm mocha latte!


Early this morning (around 4:30am), Anna and William got up to play with their elves! It wasn't long before Sam and Caroline wanted to go on an adventure. We decided to go to the mall. It's a great place to go before all the stores are open. You pretty much can have the run of the place.

The elves played everywhere! They got to visit with some friends (Frosty and one of Santa's reindeer), warm up at Starbucks, rest in Santa's chair and shop for Webkinz at Davis-Kidds. It was a fun morning for all!

The Elves Are Here!

Sam (on left), Dasher's grandson, and Caroline (on right)

Anna's elf, Caroline, and William's elf, Sam, arrived at our house! The kids have been eagerly awaiting their return. Every morning for the past week, they wake up around 5am and search the house for them. This early morning wakefulness will continue until the morning after Christmas. (It should explain the dark circles around my eyes!)

This is something the kids love! They write notes each evening for their elves to take back to Santa. After the kids go to sleep, the elves take off to the North Pole where they report on Anna & William's behavior and give the letters to Santa. After a cup of hot chocolate and answers from Santa, the elves fly back to our house, where they either decide to create mischief or mayhem for the kids to find in the morning. When the children wake up, they hunt relentlessly for Caroline and Sam. After finding them, the kids quickly read the notes their elves have written to them and vow to behave well for another day!

This year the kids wanted a reindeer to travel with Caroline and Sam. They were so lucky because Dasher's grandson wanted to go on an "elf" adventure, so his grandfather gave him permission to come to our house this season!

While Visions of Sugar-plums Danced in Their Heads...

At night...

The Lummus Family Tree

The kids have been wanting to put up the Christmas tree ever since we returned from celebrating Thanksgiving in Huntsville. We started the tree on Thursday, but didn't finish it until this afternoon. The kids did all the decorating so it's ornament-heavy on the bottom of the tree. They insisted on Christmas music while the decorating was underway.

Celebrating Christmas is so much fun with the kids this age. The next big event for them is the arrival of their elves. Now that the Christmas tree is up, it shouldn't be much longer before Sam Elfie and Caroline (the elves) show up! We'll keep you posted!

Football in Huntsville!

Lesley decked out in her Alabama sportswear.

Bill and his dad waiting for the game to start.

The family mascot.

On Saturday, we traveled to Huntsville to celebrate Thanksgiving with Bill's family. We arrived in time to watch the Georgia Tech vs. Georgia game. John, Bill's brother-in-law and Georgia alumni, was rooting for Georgia...while Bill's dad and Georgia Tech alumni, Bill Sr., was cheering for the Yellow Jackets. John's team suffered a loss and we gave John a BIG box of chocolates to aid his misery.

The family got really excited though when the Alabama vs. Auburn game started. Bill Sr. received his Ph. D. from Alabama and my mother-in-law received her B.S. from Alabama. So...needless to say, they are strong BAMA fans. And my niece, Haley, has picked Alabama as her school, so she's another big supporter. Basically, the Lummus family are all Alabama folks. Thankfully, the Crimson Tide won the game!!

Much Thanks!!!

Game play.

Mary Elizabeth exhausted from the festivities!

We were able to pull together a great Thanksgiving celebration! My brothers, sister and I each brought a dish to Mom and Dad's house, while Mom & Dad prepared the main courses...no surprise that we ended up with entirely too much food. After dinner, Christina brought a game with her that we all found captivating...adults and children alike. I am so blessed with my family and friends!

"There is a Time for Everything, and a Season for Every Activity Under Heaven: a Time to be Born, and a Time to Die" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)

Family Photo

My cousin, John, and me.

Stephen and Patrick, Aunt Barbara's son.

Christina and Stephen on the airplane.

This week, my family suffered a loss. My Aunt Barbara, Dad's sister, passed away. My mom made arrangements for my sister, Christina, and my brother, Stephen, and me to travel with them to the funeral in Florida. Although the circumstances for the trip was unfortunate, I was glad for the opportunity to spend time with my family and visit with relatives I hadn't seen in a while. Aunt Barbara's daughter, Theresa, has her own blog...her link is posted on this site. Be sure to check it out.

Brownies-R-Us

Riding horses.

The girls at Confederate Square in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

At Mary, Queen of Angels

Anna and I have been doing a lot of Brownie activities this year. We had a party at Sweet & Sassy, visited a haunted cemetery, spent time at Mary, Queen of Angels Assisted Living Center and went camping in the cold rain. All in all, it's been a blast! I need to give William a shout out here...he's been a great sport about being pulled along on our Brownie Adventures. He's actually proved to be a great help to me on many occassions. I am lucky!

Hilton Head Vacation

Our family!

Anna & Maggie

Anna & Maggie clapping.

William at the golf course with Dad.

William & mom after a bike ride on the beach.

Daddy waiting on a wave.

This fall, we took the kids to Hilton Head with some friends of ours. The Hardin family, the Lenning family and the Paraschos family all made the journey with us. We stayed in a beautiful house that had its own pool & jacuzzi. The jacuzzi came in handy since there was a cold snap that week. But despite the weather, the majority of the crew spent lots of time in the ocean, riding bikes, and hanging out in the pool. It was absolutely fantastic.

ON OUR WAY BACK HOME

On our way back to Nashville, we stopped to visit with family in Atlanta. John, Lesley, Haley & Katie met us at Los Reyes in North Atlanta. It was a great restaurant with great food, but the best part was being with them and enjoying their company!

The cousins.

William and his uncle/godfather, John.

The Three Beauties...