Despite the fact that we just bought a house and were busy moving in the Elves managed to show up.  They were even a big help, here with me and Gary, while the kids were still at the Grandparents.  Infact the first several photos, the elves took and loaded to facebook with messages for the kids.  The kids got a kick out of watching their antics on line, and then were surprised when they traveled up to Alabama to see them there, and accompany them home.  This was our fourth year with the elves.  You can see more pictures in our public facebook album, and feel free to go back and view what the elves were up to in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

Dec. 1, 2016 Hey, are you there? Is this thing working right? - Mistletoe Give me that you can't work a phone. -Jingle He can work a phone just not the internet. -Twinkle OK, Britt, Ruth, and Rebecca, here's the deal. It's December 1st again, and we had plans to come and play at Grumps and Anna's house with you, but we got to looking around here and thought there was no way that you could come home before Christmas if your Momma didn't get some help. We will try to share pictures of everything we are doing till you get back. Can't wait to see you! Mistletoe, Jingle, and Twinkle

Dec. 1, 2016 - So the first thing we did last night while everyone was asleep was to set up the Christmas decorations, that's way more important than unpacking food and clothes and stuff. We even brought along a little box this year and picked out some ribbon for your tree, and some new ornaments, and most important the candy canes. We even put one in everyone's stocking, to be sure that you don't eat them all off the tree before Christmas gets here. Did we do a good job? Do you like our surprise? Can you see where we are hiding?

Dec. 2, 2016 - Last night we unpacked some of your boxes of books, and we found all the Christmas books. I'm sure Momma will read some when you get home, but do you think you could read some to us Britt and Ruth. We like it when kids read to us, it's more fun than when grown ups read. Can you guess which one of us was reading?

Dec. 2, 2016 - This is one of my favorite books, "The Night Before Christmas." - Twinkle

Dec. 3, 2016, Boost me higher! There has gotta be toys in one of these boxes!

Dec. 4, 2016 - Hey, last night we talked with Santa and since you haven't been able to hang out with us, he gave us special permission to give you his phone number. He said that you know he is super busy this month, that you might get his answering machine, and have to leave a message. Anyway, here's the number 1-951-262-3062.

Dec. 5, 2016, Today Mistletoe thought he could help Daddy tear out the old pantry to be able to paint and put in better shelving.

Dec. 6, 2016 - Today we decided to help with cutting in green in the guest room. It's the last room left to paint you know, and it needs to be done before y'all get home!

Dec. 7, 2016 - It was hot outside today, and no one wanted to go outside, no one but Jingle. She said we had to finish spray painting Ruth's bookcase so that we could put it in her room.

Dec. 8, 2016 - Let's hang this light, Jingle!  But, Twinkle, have you even read the instructions? No, let's just wing it. I don't think we are going to be able to do this. We need to get some help, some bigger, human help. Well, let's just try, I heard Ruth really wanted to have it up when she gets home, and they are coming back early now!

Dec 9, 2016 - After having no luck with the light yesterday, the elves decided to surprise the elves by coming to Ahna and Grumps today. After check facebook several times for updates, Ruth decided they needed to check and see if they were at Grumps and Anna's house.

Dec 10, 2016 - Road trip! Apparently the elves have never taken a trip with the kids, because what idiot would take a 12+ hour car ride when they could use their magic and fly?

Dec. 10, 2016 - Last night Ruth graciously shared the last of her fruit cup with the elves. When we arrived at Memaw and Mister's house they had eaten it all!

Dec 12, 2016 - Today the elves took it easy and hung out on the back porch where they could all keep an eye on the kids while they played. Not sure if they had a good report today since a few kids kept wanting to climb on boxes.

Dec. 13, 2016 - The elves doing what they love best hanging around, swinging off of light fixtures and turning furniture into a playground.

Dec. 14, 2016 - This morning the elves were watching the baby Jesus. We decided they too were in wonder that God would come to the earth as a lowly human in order to die for sinners.

Dec 15, 2016 - Last night the elves made Elf donuts and brought along breakfast for the kids.

Dec. 16, 2016 - The elves must have heard Ruth asking last night, why people call Christmas elves the Elf on the shelf. Because this morning they were just sitting on the bookshelf admiring the Christmas tree.

Dec. 17, 2016 - Last night the kids were very excited when after a week of asking Daddy told them they could wash his truck today. The elves must have wanted to get in on the fun because this morning, we found them washing the toy cars and trucks with their own wash rags.

Dec. 20, 2016 - Doing some baking like the Elves so subtly suggested by all sitting by the mixer this morning. I had three helpers for the first batch, and then they behaved so badly when we went to the store that I only have one little helper, but she is actually pretty good at this, this year, even if we have a liberal amount of flour around our work space. Later on the Elves must have been hungry after being away sick for two days. They seemed to approve if our baking day, since just before supper we found them with the remains of a cookie.

Dec 23, 2016 - The elves left a note 3 more days, but then today they didn't move. We tried to decide if the kids were too loud, or too bad yesterday to play. But we didn't figure out what happened.

Dec. 24, 2016 - The elves left one final surprise over night - a special door they installed so that they can visit during the year if they need to and a note. It explains that they saved up all their magic last night to be able to pull this off. The note also includes the surprise that they have special permission to take the elves to church on Sunday.

Dec. 25, 2016 - Last day with the elves. They are warming up by Memaw's fireplace. And it turns out, Santa had just enough time when he stopped by tonight to repair Rebecca's taggie owl.