Merry Christmas!

A group of very old friends of mine toasting Audra and Tom's new engagement!

Casey waiting for the others at Alabama Theater's presentation of the Polar Express.

Christmas Eve Mass- loved watching Emily sing in the choir!

Coming around the corner Christmas morning to see what Santa had brought!

Christmas at the neighborhood resort

Tonight we went to see a small performance of the book "A Christmas Promise" and drink hot chocolate on this freezing cold night at the resort that's in our neighborhood. The kids are getting so excited for Christmas! We have to tell Casey at least 10 times a day how many days left until Christmas.
PS- The lights in the tent were changing color, hence the blue and red pics.

One week til Christmas..

Watching Charlie Brown's Christmas.

Someone special

Someone special came to a neighbor's house tonight and we were there!

Sad weekend...

The first picture is of the entire first grade performing their Christmas dance at my daughters' elementary school- it was taken at almost the exact time that the horrific shootings were happening in Connecticut. While these first graders were dancing their tails off and having such a happy time with smiling parents watching and cheering, the unspeakable was happening to another group of first graders in a different state. I have always teared up at school performances since Emily has battled childhood cancer... this one was no exception. After seeing so much suffering in the childhood cancer world, I swore I would never again take for granted a room full of healthy, happy, innocent children.

Doing something normal with the kids... decorating cookies!

Christmas trees always offer such a peaceful feeling at night.

Minivan Express

Tonight we surprised the girls with tickets to the minivan express under their covers. As they were climbing into bed, they found the golden tickets. They were told to put on their robes and slippers and meet us at the car. In the car they had hot chocolate and Christmas music, and we drove around looking at Christmas lights. The Preserve in Hoover is a sight to be seen... EVERY tree is lit down each street. It was like a winter wonderland. The girls had a great time!

So excited!!

Fun with my camera...

Excuses...

Designing Pumpkins...

The usual crew on Halloween....

Off to trick or treat!

Sick little one...

Getting better!

Our annual trip to North Carolina with the Carithers!

After a several mile hike, these crazy people still had the energy to climb the damn!

What's more fun than jumping in a pile of leaves?

A "casual" game of cornhole on Thanksgiving Day. : ) That's my Casey!

Admiring Grammy and Papa's tree before the Manheim Steamroller concert.

Happy 10th Birthday, Emily!

Playing with my new lens.. that's me in the reflection.

Ok here come the excuses for falling so far behind on my posting.... kids have been sick, I have been sick, my business Amanda Knerr Photography is booming (yay!), we went out of town, we have been having parties every weekend for Alabama football watching (double yay!), I could go on and on. So I decided rather than post a pic from every day, I would pick highlights from the last 6 weeks and RE-COMMIT to doing a better job in 2013!! Thanks for looking!

What we've been up to..

Punishment for not cleaning her room.

At the zoo with Anna's class!

Anyone remember what this gorilla was doing the last time I took it's picture?

Soccer practice...

Waiting for carpool

With friends after school..

Watching "Grease" the movie and prepping to be "Pink Lady's" for Halloween!

Emily's last at-bat for fall ball.

The look Casey gave me when I told her I had to get a shot..

Homework.

How we watch football at the Knerr's! TV borrowed from neighbor. : )

Alabama Theater for moms night out!

Eating an early dinner before soccer practice..

Fall Days..

Casey ready for the start of her first soccer game!

Casey, tired at halftime during her first soccer game! ; )

We went old-school at our house tonight and had our own "sweet tomatoes" salad bar... my kids' favorite restaurant in South Florida!

Ryan starting the Warrior Dash.

About to climb one of the obstacles...

Ryan is afraid of heights... I can see his white knuckles from here!

Jumping over fire with flair....

Swimming through the mudpit under barbed wire.

Finished!

Big smile.

And big turkey leg to go with his big free beer!

Harper and Casey doing the "wobble" at the warrior dash post-party.