McConnell Christmas

From our family to yours, have a blessed Christmas!

Sparkle's Last Stand

With Christmas just around the corner, we thought we'd post some of our little Elf on the Shelf's adventures and mischief this year.  

Here, she's enjoying our son's PS4 player.  

Found a red marker..... 

Making a "snow angel" with sugar.

Getting into the Halloween candy.  

Used a candle to do her "business".  I can't look at chocoloate chips the same again.

Here, she decided to lock up her "friends" using our little one's party favors of hand cuffs and combination locks.

Bad idea.  Sparkle messed with the wrong dolls.  Elsa (from the movie Frozen) used her powers to contain her the next day.

Taking a marshmellow bath.

As presents were being wrapped, we accidentally left the ribbon and paper out one night.

She also thought she would help decorate the tree.

On another day, we must have been paying bills and left our return address lables out. 

We also found her getting into our DVD movies.  I guess we know which movie is her favorite!

I didn't know these little elves could be such a mess.

Holiday at Peace

This wonderful family tradition takes us to the Greenville Symphony Orchestra's holiday performance.  With their beautiful music, it's impossible to leave without having the Christmas spirit.

Our children took advantage of the intermission to capture a few selfies.

We even got to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the event!

Double Digits

It finally arrived!  The most significant day of the year in our household - the little one's birthday.  She only talks about it for 12 full months.

I was invited to each lunch with her at school on her last day to be single digits.  The next morning, the best sister in the world made her pumpkin pancakes and brought them to her in bed with fresh fruit and milk.

For lunch, it was Daddy and Sissy's turn to eat at her school so long as they brought two dozen donuts to share with her class.

After school, it was time to Break Out of the single digits at a local puzzle room called the Greenville Escape Room.  Lots of fun!

Lots of fun!  Although we didn't escape, you can see by their smiles we enjoyed it.

The best part was when one of the locks turned on the disco!

Back at the house, it was time for pizza and cake.  Oh, speaking of cake.  Notice how the bakery did a great job with the theme!  Prison bars, handcuffs, padlock, chains...totally nailed it.  Highly recommend Publix.  Best cakes ever!

The girls were so loud.  Despite the cold and dark evening, the guys decided to stay in the garage where it was quite to change the oil in our vehicles.

She received some great presents:  movie gift cards, nail salon certificates, money, giraffe stuffed animals, jewlery, etc.  Wonderful evening.  Such a sweet group of girls.

Gingerbread Houses

With our oldest now home from college, we made a family of gingerbread houses.

It always makes a big mess, with little candy pieces rolling off the table and onto the floor.

 The trick is to use as much frosting (ie. glue) as fast as you can before it all dries.  

Then you have to resist the temptation of eating it right away.

Our finished product!  The family elf "Sparkle" found them last night.  I hope she doesn't eat them.

Blood Drive

Our church had a blood drive today.  For the first time, our family had 3 members donate!

Eric was the first to sign up, and our son bravely decided to join.  At 17, he was eligible and knew this was important.  

Our son did great!  So proud of him!  He came out a little weak, but after a bit of juice and sweet treats, he was fine.  

I was a bit hesitant after passing out 3 months ago, but reluctantly tried as well.  It was the best donation experience ever, taking only 5:47 minutes for a full pint and the fastest time of the day of all the 27 donors.  Must have been my nerves and the large cup of coffee.

Here's to the gift of life!

Chorus Concert

Our son is taking a 2nd year chorus class in high school.  Their Christmas program was this week, and it blew me away!  The group is really good.

Here's the link:  PVHS Chorus: Mary Did You Know

The camera quality isn't the best, especially when I'm zooming in/out. Just look for the tallest one in the back row (far left).  

Decorated!

Our little one couldn't wait to get the decorations up.  She said when she gets big and has a house of her own, she would keep the Christmas decorations up all year long.  Of course, the outside ones would come down because the neighbors wouldn't like it, but inside, they would still be up. 

As much as I dread getting all this out every year, she really does bring the magic to the season.  We've only been listening to her alarm clock play Christmas music for the past 12 months.

And, she still loves to play with the figurines.  

Joy to all this holiday season!

Thanksgiving

It was great to have the whole family home.  Unbeknownest to me, our oldest had signed all the kids up for a volunteer post at the local Turkey Trot 5k/8k.  They all got up at 7am to leave for their 3rd mile station.  So proud of them for giving back on this day of thanks.  

The meal was the best we've ever had!  Everything was absolutely delicious:  turkey, gravy, dressing, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, kale salad, beet salad, green beans, rolls, tea, and pumpkin cheesecake.  

Everyone was fine with me taking a picture except our son.  As soon as the picture was taken, he tore into the food.  My best compliment from him was, "This isn't too bad."  Score one for mom!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Player #76

The little one just ended her fall soccer season, and what great playing she did today!  

She's begun to enjoy goal keeper, like her big brother.  She stopped 5 goals today!

While she was in the goal box, I didn't realize my camera was still set on "scenic" mode rather than "action" mode.  Sorry they are so blurry.

Now with "action" turned on, I captured much better pictures.  You'll notice the little one isn't wearing the usual black short/pants uniform.  She prefers fun colors, which makes it easier to spot her.

She was passing, blocking, and running the ball so well. 

Running in to help a teammate.

She's really grown as a player over the past few months in looking for the pass, talking to teammates on the field, and looking for opportunities.  

Capturing her "corner kick".

So proud to watch from the sidelines!  Eric was a great coach, as usual, too.