Christmas Eve at the Dowdy House!

Sam was SO excited about Christmas this year!  He was really into changing the number of days until Christmas and finding Billy the elf each morning!  On Christmas Eve he was just a BALL of energy!   We started our Christmas Eve by going to eat breakfast at the Dogwood!  I hope it's a tradition we can keep!  We then ran some last minute errands and headed home to rest!  We headed to Chris's parents for a quick dinner and then headed to Christmas Eve service!  It was SUCH a sweet service and when both Chris and I realized at the same time that Sam could hold his own candle we both teared up...when did he get to be so old!  After church we headed to my uncle Dip's and Aunt Rosemarie's house before we headed home to do all our Christmas Eve traditions!!  

Here are some pics from Chris's parents house: 

 The face...it's make me laugh every time!  Just try to look at Sam and not laugh...you can't...I've tried...you just can't!!

 This picture is so sweet!

 At my uncle's house getting ready to sing 12 days of Christmas!  We have done this EVERY year for forever!  The older we all get the more we fight over who gets 12 drummers drumming...this year I trumped everyone by claiming it in the Christmas card I sent uncle dip and aunt Rea!!!   HaHa...suckers:)  Do you notice Charley has her "bappy"?? Needless to say we were WAY past bedtime!!

 Uncle Dip is ALWAYS "Partridge in a Pear Tree"...this year he added hand motions...it made my heart VERY happy!!

 We also let Sam and Charley open their gifts that they got each other on Christmas Eve!  Sam was SO excited!  I went with Sam to pick out Charley's gift!  He was really sweet and picked out an "alphabet foam puzzle"!  He has played with it 10 times more than Charley but I loved his excitement as he searched the aisles for the perfect gift!  Here they are hugging after their exchange!

 Sam got a gas station for his train set!

 See Charley rubbing her hair already!  As soon as that "bappy" goes in her fingers start twirling!

 Setting out milk and cookies!  And our traditional DP!!  That started last year when Sam insisted we leave a DP out for Santa...I love it!  I have a feeling I will be making him set out a DP for Santa when he's 18 years old!!   We also left carrots for the reindeer!  Funny thing about the carrots...it snowed on Christmas Eve night and "the reindeer" had a little "trouble" finding the carrots because of the snow!!!  I also thought it was cute when Sam said we needed 8 carrots because Santa has 8 reindeer!

 All ready for Christmas morning!

Our Motto for 2011...Just Dance!!

Cam and Wayne gave us a "Family Game Night" package for Christmas and knowing the Dowdy's love for Dance they got us "Just Dance Kids" for the Wii!  Sam LOVES it!!  I have lost lots of calories simply by laughing at whoever Sam has conned into a dance battle!   Sam has some SERIOUS moves people!!  

Mom vs. Sam battle!  

 Mom vs. Dad...Chris has won EVERY time we have played...and YES I'm actually trying...it must be the purple Patriots sweater vest!!

 Go Sissy...It's your birthday!!   I could just eat this picture up!!

 Not really sure here folks...

 This move cracks me up...he is getting low!!  Don't worry we have videoed some of Sam's dance battles...and FULLY intend to completely embarrass him when he's 16 with them!!

Thanks Cam and Wayne!!!!

Christmas Traditions!!

 Last Sunday Sam sang at church!  He was so cute!  We had been practicing together as a family (the children's pastor sent us the link through youtube to practice) and Sam was ready!!  Funny story: In BOTH services the two girls beside Sam walked around and blocked precious Sam who was singing so sweetly...Chris and I kept looking at each other and cracking up because they were directly in front of his video shot...then he moved to the other side to get a better shot and the girls moved and were still blocking his shot!   We were proud of Sam for trying his best to remember the words and actually sing!

 That same day Mom, Laura and the kids came over to make cookies for Santa!  Our grandmother Nanny used to make cookies with us every year and so I'm so glad we still do this fun tradition!

 Charley ate every single cookie she decorated!  We finally had to cut her off!!

A couple days later we headed up to Nana and Papa's to make candy!  Sam got really into it!!  We think we should go into business!!   Too sad my camera batter died right after this picture was taken!  

Merry Christmas!!!  I hope you have enjoyed your family's traditions as much as we have here at the Dowdy House!!

Dickens of a Christmas...Dowdy/Collins invasion!

Last Friday we picked up the Collin's and headed to downtown for Dickens of a Christmas!  We ate at Eernie's, walked around downtown and headed to Hotel Roanoke to look at the trees! 

Sam loved looking at all the trees...Charley was ummm....Charley! :) 

 Brad pushing the stroller carrying everything including the camera! :)

 Who let's their children drink out of cups placed in the cup holder of their stroller while carrying their child on their shoulders??...it's us..the Dowdy's!!!

 Brad's face...priceless!

 After downtown we headed back to our house and played a little Risk...at 2 in the morning we were still playing a little Risk...see, WILD and CRAZY here at the Dowdy House!

I was so happy when April called on Friday to ask if we wanted to go to Dickens of a Christmas!  We knew with our forces combined our husbands could not tell us no! :)  We had so much fun!  Even the cramped ride there was a blast!  You know how you have those friends that no matter what you are doing you just have fun with...the Collin's are those kind of friends!  Thanks for a fun night!