New Year's Eve

What better way to ring in the New Year than with a box of Hot Nows!

Elizabeth's December Pictures

Fun times in the church nursery

I bought Elizabeth a new hat for the holidays. I think she got my money out of it!

Mickey Mouse and Tigger at the YMCA

Helping Mommy Cook

What a pose! 

Kids in December

Here are some pictures of the happenings of the kids in December: 

Haven and Elizabeth playing at Small Group 

Jackson was mistaken for Santa by Mr. John

Christmas with Mrs. 'Tricia

Public run!

Jackson's bus driver, Mrs. Cathy, had knee surgery before school was out. We brought her dinner one night during the holiday break. Jackson made her this note to attach to the meal.
"I love you. I hope you feel better. To: Mrs. Cathy. From: Jackson" 

Pizza at Stevie B's before heading out to look at Christmas lights

Our Christmas Light Scavenger hunt

We went to the North Pole Experience at North Point Mall on Christmas Eve.

It has started...

I have to admit - I'm pretty excited about this stage of Elizabeth's life! She is now interested in dressing up!

Wesley had the boys in the Lego store spending Christmas money so I took Elizabeth to the Disney store. She saw the costumes, and I asked her if she wanted to try them on. She did, and we proceeded to try on almost all the costumes they had out!

How adorable!

Jablonski Christmas

After celebrating Christmas in Cumming, we packed up and headed to Tennessee for a fast weekend visit.  The kids were able to see both great-grandfathers and we enjoyed lots of quality family time. 

The kids and Pop Pop went to see Great Pop Pop 

Jackson and Elizabeth on "the ride"

Look, Mom! No hands!

Pop Pop and Elizabeth taking a turn

The kiddos in Net's chair

Wesley & Jackson took Elizabeth to the nursery with a Donut pit stop 

We escaped!

For Ryan's birthday, Emily and several of his friends tried out a new adventure called The Escape Game. It was so much fun that Emily immediately told Susan and me we needed to play this game over Christmas break. We set up our game, secured Mimi and PopPop to watch all 8 of the kiddos, and off we went to Escape Nashville. 

It was so much fun! I won't disclose any of the details of the game. I will just say - We escaped! 

Merry Christmas!

Santa was very kind to the Bender kids this year!
I guess they were especially good in 2014! 

Santa brought Jackson the #1 thing on his list - a new drum set!

Philip got Legos! Legos! and more Legos! 

Taking a ride on Elizabeth's new ride! 

I got a cute Kate Spade coffee cup 

"Thanks" Mimi and Pop Pop for Jackson's new recorder :-(

Sitting by the fire enjoying his new art set

Uncle Gerald gave Elizabeth a new crown!
She's an official Princess!

Christmas Eve Tradition

For the past several years, our Christmas Eve tradition has been attending a Christmas Eve service and having dinner with the Hazlewood gang. 2014 was no different. Philip & his preschool class were asked to sing at the service at North Lanier so we all attended there. It was really nice!

She wore a bow!

After service, the Hazlewoods and Mops (Kate's mom) came over for a nontraditional Christmas Eve dinner of Spaghetti and meatballs. Yummy!

Ben, Kate and Mops

After dinner, the kids decorated cookies for Santa. I hope he likes them!

Sam and his new Lipsomb basketball the kids got him