Christmas in Vicksburg

We spent Christmas this year with Bryan's family in Vicksburg. We had a nice visit with everyone and enjoyed the company of family.

The fun started on Christmas Eve with a trip down to Lake Bruin to see Les and his family. Les is a friend of Bryan's from Baton Rouge. They met one summer when Bryan was working down there. He and his family are SO nice (even though they had an LSU decorated Christmas tree!) We just could not be so close to them without making a stop by.

Then, we headed to Allyson and Syd's house for a visit with their 3 children.

Banks really enjoyed all of their cool toys.

Sweet cousin Andrew had just celebrated his first birthday on Dec 20th.

Sarah Beth, Andrew, Banks, and Sophie really had a great time playing!

This is the "Johnston Family toy piano" and boy oh boy did Banks really bang it out on the thing. I hope it survived!

Banks enjoyed pretending to drive the car with Daddy while we waited for the family at the cemetery.

We all went to Crawford Street United Methodist for Christmas Eve service. Banks enjoyed the service from the Narthex (anyone surprised??)! Then we all headed over to Jennifer Lynne and Stephen's house for dinner and fun.

Weejie had 4 of his 5 there. Ricky and Brooke came the day after Christmas.

When we got home, we had to leave some cookies out for Santa. Thank you Leigh Anne for the adorable plate.

Santa Came to Vicksburg!!!!

Is all of this for me???? Wow!

Too much fun on my Thomas the Train riding toy.

Oh yeah! I got this real John Deere tractor from Weejie and SuSu! It is so cool!!!!

Now that I am a Johnston, Santa has to "wrap" some of the toys.

We enjoyed a yummy lunch of filets, baked potatoes, and salad.

Jennifer Lynne and Stephen (and baby girl)

It is a Johnston tradition to start a fire and burn the wrapping paper.

Banks was mesmerized by the fire.

Last but not least, Michael with his pups. Max, Sophie, and Big Girl.

13 Months Old

Here are a few pics of Banks at 13 months old.

We got a new Lens, the Tameron 28-75mm/F 2.8 from Weejie and Susan for Christmas and today's weather was perfect for testing it out on Banks. As usual, he was difficult to keep still, so this is the best I could do.

Christmas Pics and Posts to follow!

Daniel is Animal

I could not help myself. I had to steal this from Leigh Anne. It is just TOO funny!!!

Jack got a drum set and to say that the boys love it is an understatement. Leigh Anne says that every time she walks by their room, they are playing on it.

Kami, Michael's sister has always said that Daniel reminds her of Animal from the Muppets.

Well, from the looks of this picture, I think she is VERY ACCURATE!

I just busted out laughing when LA sent this to me last night.

Enjoy!

Christmas with Mamaw

Last Friday, we went to Mamaw's to celebrate Christmas with her. The kids, as usual, had a blast playing with each other and Mamaw made a yummy lunch!

The boys did the grocery shopping! My kind of guys!

I have never seen a child who can eat as much as Georgia sometimes. She ate about 3 or 4 plates of noodles.

....then she burned it all off climbing trees.

It warms my heart to see the boys playing the piano.

Banks loves his new toy turtle car from Mamaw. He was actually scooting it across the floor just a little bit ago.

Family Night

Last Night, the entire McCaig/Butler/Johnston clan went to The Club for "Family Night". We visited with Santa, ate yummy food, and danced, danced, danced!

We tried to ease the Sir into this one.....

....and it went just about as expected!

The Butler trio was ALL ABOUT Santa. They could not get enough of him. Georgia told him she wanted an American Girl Doll. Jack told him he wanted a Bat Mobile, and Daniel wants a Firetruck and "all babies". Oh my goodness!

You know it: We put the little Sir back up in the Big Guy's lap for a group shot. Poor Banks!

Camera setting gone wrong = sort of cool picture.

I never get tired of this view!

The Bulters

Mama and Daddy

Banks and Daniel had to sit by each other, of course.

Michael and Georgie

Banks was determined to shoot some video.

The Hoover High School Jazz Band always plays at Family Night and THEY ARE SO GOOD!!!!!

We love them and their music is just so festive and it just makes you happy!

The Butlers absolutely had a blast!

They even got Banks to dance some.

Banks ended up crawling ALL over the dance floor. (sorry germ-a phobes) It was too funny. He just would not let us hold him any longer. He had to be down on the floor with all of the action.

It was a GREAT night and we had so much fun with my family.

Now, it is off to Mamaw's tomorrow and then to Vicksburg.

More to come.

Merry Christmas!

Zoo Light Safari

We took Banks to the Zoo Light Safari last night. It was finally not freezing cold here (and not raining) so we thought it would be great night to go see the lights.

Banks has learned to use the snack grabber and boy oh boy...has it made rides easier!

Santa was waving to us as we were on the train ride.

Banks and I had to get our pic in the Bama display. Bryan has bee SUCH a good sport this year with me in Bama overload!

And finally, we rode the Merry-Go-Round. Bryan sat this one out and took pics and shot some video.