The eagles (and the eaglets) have landed. I’m still not quite sure how Nathan and Meagan managed to pull off that journey, especially going to bed very late and getting up at 4 a.m. They managed to wrangle three large suitcases, two car seats, a stroller, and six backpacks. (Oh yeah. Also four kids.) Amazing!
We had a family photoshoot yesterday and I just had to share a few shots of the dramatic men in the family.
They started out with their crabby faces . . .
and then speedily morphed in overwrought hilarity.
Here are a few miscellaneous family shots.
What a joy to have these two come visit me this morning in my room. Summer has been very brave with the invasion of the Small Ones and, to our surprise, has not even once retreated upstairs to under the bed. She is a stalwart doggie, if there ever was one.
Andrew saw us folding napkins for dinner one night and thought he would try his hand at it. He might have a career in the folding of napkins.
He also helped me carry the holder for the breakfast casserole. He said, “So heavy, gwandma.”
I sat on the porch with these three before breakfast this morning.
Going inside for breakfast.
In church yesterday, the kids (sans Andrew) did a special song. One of my favorite parts of it was Grayson watching Noah and Madison and then repeating their motions about two seconds after the fact. He is a funny kid.
After the song, all four kids were part of a Children’s Moment with Steve. I have attached the whole video which is almost six minutes long. You are welcome to just scroll through you if you don’t have the time to watch it all but try to watch the song at least.
For some reason, I didn’t get the whole ending of the Children’s Moment but here’s the ending. After Grayson opened the empty box, Steve had him close his eyes and then he pulled Baby Jesus out of his pocket and put it in the box for Grayson to discover. Steve then made the point that Christmas without Jesus is empty.
I also just realized I cut Grayson off a little because I was trying to look at them in real life and not through the viewfinder so my phone kind of wandered. If you want to see all three kids better you can go to our Facebook page.
Their song starts around the 29th minute.
I will have plenty more to share down the road but right now I’ve got some precious people waiting for me downstairs so I’m going to run.
What about you? What was your favorite (or least favorite) thing about Christmas this year?
My favorite thing about Christmas this year was having friends over for dinner, my least favorite thing was cooking said dinner. We had a wonderful time, as we always do. I feel great friends the best Christmas present!
Cindy,
Having good friends is one of the greatest blessings of all. So glad you had a chance to get together.
Thanks for sharing some of your Christmas Merry-ness with us!! I’m so glad the Florida Smiths were able to make the trip to the OBX for Christmas. When I heard on the news about all the flight cancellations, I was so hoping they would not be affected. I look forward to seeing more of your photo shoot in the coming weeks. And here’s to a wonderful 2022!!
SueEllen,
Yeah, I was a little worried about those flight cancellations myself! So glad they made it. We DID have to cancel the ski trip, though, because it is 60 degrees and rainy in the mountains. Oh well. At least they made it here!
There will definitely be plenty of photos to come. Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Smith/Long Family!
This song and Children’s moment are just adorable. You have beautiful (and talented and brave) grandchildren. The pictures are wonderful (I seem to say that a lot here) and the way the menfolk interact with one another is great.
I can’t wait to hear more about your holiday as I’m sure there was much joy and laughter! I sure miss having little ones at this time of year.
Suzanne
Suzanne,
Yes, I loved getting to see the kids sing on Sunday. I’ve seen them in videos taken at their other grandparent’s church but this was my first time in person. Such a treasure!
There will be plenty more photos and stories to come!
Littles ones definitely DO make the season more merry. Hugs!
I can’t imagine traveling with all that gear and getting up that early to boot. Hats off to Meagan and Nathan.
The song was so cute. You have some very handsome/pretty grandchildren.
Favorite part of Christmas was probably our Christmas Eve services. There was a 30-minute choir concert prior to the service which was so beautiful.
Enjoy those little ones! Best wishes for a healthy and happy 2022!
Phyllis,
I know. Aren’t Christmas Eve services so wonderful? And to have a choir concert before the service makes it all the better.
Happy (almost) New Year to you!
Glad to see that the Smith tribe arrived safely. No small feat getting that trip accomplished! Your grands are all growing up way too fast and are just such a sweet group and talented too. Thanks for sharing the video.
Wishing you all a blessed, healthy and happy new year!!
Lee Anne,
Yeah, I still am not quite sure how they got all of that stuff through the airport. They obviously have some super powers!
Many blessings to you in this new year.
Oh Becky, what absolutely adorable grandchildren you have! And they have certainly got the “Smith” musical talent – Madison especially is a talented singer and performer – and at such a tender age! I really enjoyed watching this, thank you so much for sharing it. Love to you and yours xxx
Teresa,
Yes, Madison was born to be in front of people. She loves an audience and has a beautiful singing voice, plus she is writing little songs already. A girl after my own heart.
Thanks so much for your sweet words. Happiest new year!
So glad the Smith tribe arrived safely. Such sweet pictures and that video is adorable.
Enjoy and try and take a nap here and there! 🙂❤️😴
Love, Deb
Deb,
I managed to squeeze in a nap yesterday and it was marvelous! The days are long and hectic but hey are wonderful! Love you.
Nathan and Megan’s children are getting so big! That Noah is his daddy’s twin! Precious times!
Lisa,
We were watching some old movies last night of when Steve was around Noah’s age. If you didn’t know better, you would have said it was Noah on the screen. So interesting how the generations are tied together in looks and mannerisms. Love it.
Love the photos Becky. I tried to pick a favorite but they are all equally awesome. Nathan and Meagan remain my heroes, especially after organizing the plane trip with the four precious ones.
My family spent Christmas with Mom in Roanoke Rapids, NC. It was very nice spending time together and sharing a meal.
Happy New Year!
Gloria
Gloria,
Glad your family got to spend time with your mom, sharing a meal and conversation. Those moments are so precious.
Yes, Nathan and Meagan are my heroes too. I can barely get myself and one suitcase through an airport! 🙂
How precious – those adorable grandkids of yours. Can’t believe how tall Noah is. Seems like it was yesterday you announced the birth of your first grandkid. Love the song and Noah did a pretty good job too. Loved the pictures of Nathan, Steve and Gage. What a trio – they just all fit together so well. Andrew you are a good napkin folder – just wait until next year! An early Happy and Blessed New Years to all of you. Praying it will be a year of goodness and excitement (good, that is).
Sharyn,
Yes, those 8 years since announcing Noah’s birth do seem to have flown by.
And as for the older guys in the family? Yep, they ARE quite the trio. Good to see how well Gage fits right into the family.
How lovely to have those beautiful (and so grown up looking!) little ones in your home this Christmas. I’m visiting my own parents for the first time since pre-covid with my son, so that’s certainly been a highlight.
Ellen,
How wonderful that you and your son are getting to be with your parents; I’m sure that was a very sweet reunion after such a lengthy time.
Many blessings to you and your family today.
Thank you for sharing that adorable video of your singing grandchildren, so precious
Lesley,
Yeah, there is nothing cuter than kids singing because they can do no wrong. If they pick their nose, forget the song, turn around and stare at the back wall, walk off stage–not matter what, they are adorable! Glad you enjoyed the Smith Grands.
AND…..I just went back and read my post from last week and realized I have repeated myself. Lol I am a mess most of the time. Just ask my hubby and son who are here with me. A good mess though. Lol
And a small update…their trip to visit other grandparents in Venice Florida just got cancelled. One the grandkids already there tested positive this morning. They are headed back to Indiana. Grandparents will be left behind because they are assuming they will also test positive. Very sad for them.
Buff,
Actually, you make me feel better about myself with this comment because I seem to do that sort of stuff all the time. 🙂
And yet another wrinkle in your Christmas plans. So sorry COVID has impacted your family in Venice, especially that the grandparents were exposed. Here’s hoping that the next new weeks will settle down and be a bit more normal.
I should have proof read. The word “birthday” appeared magically.
We haven’t had Christmas yet. Two days before the Canada kids were leaving the oldest grand found out a school mate tested positive so Ethan had to quarantine for 10 days. His test was negative and quarantine was up midnight Christmas night. They drove 16 hrs yesterday and have 8 more today. This Grammy can hardly wait. Of course in Kissimmee around 4-7 pm traffic is horrendous. So they will be stuck I’m sure for awhile.
Anyway. Lasagna tonight. That’s all I know right now. Do we just open pjs like it’s Christmas Eve birthday r do we dive in to it all?!
Your kiddos are cute as buttons. Especially Andrew with that paci in his mouth. ❤️
Happy New Year!
Buff
Buff,
It’s fine that the word “birthday” just magically popped into your comment since Christmas IS a birthday. So your autocorrect (or whatever caused it) was right on the money!
Twenty-four hours is a LOT of travel. Ug. I love a road trip but that’s a big one! I well remember the traffic in the Kissimmee area. Being “stuck for a while” is par for the course.
Happy New Year to you and your traveling family!