Holly Cigars, Jolly Shopping, and Christmas Fitness.

Ecain here. So, it's 3:00 in the afternoon and I'm still in a bathrobe and slippers. This image defines what I've done all break. Oh, but there have been some dramatic in-between episodes this holiday season at the Cain household.  Sleeping and eating and doing nothing will not be included in this segment, seeings as how that has been 98% of what I have been doing. Alas, allow me to share a few highlights.

1. By awesome Bro turned 18 shortly after I arrived home from a week of an intense relationship with the library(need romance? just try it). I brought it to my Dad's attention that mr. 18 could now legally buy cigs, porn, and a lottery ticket, all of which i have been steadily buying since I was that age. So, he thought it would be a grand idea if he had a nice birthday cigar. My mother's reaction-AL, YOU MIGHT AS WELL GIVE HIM A SHOT OF THAT VODKA STUFF TOO THEN. YOU'RE ENCOURAGING INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR. I DON'T LIKE THIS AT ALL. AND BRIGGS-IF YOU ACT LIKE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT A SOCIAL LIFE. And so, Briggs and I sat on the screen porch that wintery birthday night, and smoked a holiday cigar, inhaling that manly goodness. Tis the season.

2. Family Shopping Trip-Yes, we have an ANNUAL shopping trip, where all six of us are packed into one car and have to go on a quest to find sibling presents, and listen to my father sing. Here is what we did:
-complained about not wanting to go to TJMax, Home Depot, or one of those weird camping stores
-made Aubrey (my sister) cry in Dillard's and start a scene
-run OUT of Dillards and into Belk
-terrorize the perfume lady, asking for samples of everything under the sun
-said "no thanks, I don't need any make-up I was JUST LOOKING" about 1928393 times.
-I watched my 5 family members run around in slow motion, and saw how other customers were probably looking at us, running around, calling eachother repeatedly on cell phones, and yelling CAN WE JUST GO NOW.
-made the announcement that no, we will not do this again...especially on December 23rd.
-after, went to eat at Wild Wings, where Aubrey and Ryan (2 of the siblings) fell asleep at the booth. The waiter asked, "tough day?" and I simply looked at him, smiled, and said, "you have no idea". tis the season.

3. Christmas Eve Day-My mother leaves the house at 11am on the dot to go grocery shopping. She returned at 6:30pm. She was in Kroger for 7.5 hours. She did not make any pit stops. This is not an exaggeration. And furthermore, it's not like she even bought the whole store. 7.5 hours. Yes, that is real life.

4. Christmas Day-My most memorable present had to be from my lovely 16 year old sister. Out of the kindess of her heart she gave me a Runner's World AND Women's Fitness magazine. Yes, I can take a hint. Thank you.

5. My New Years Resolution-read those magazines.

Happy Holidays everyone.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE HAPPY AND YOU'RE GOING TO SING ABOUT JOY.

Liz here. I've been missing 3G a lot... and trying to fill my time with catching up on trashy tv, babysitting a lot, and spending time with my best friends from high school.

So today, Wilson and Mom helped lead worship at a small Presbyterian church in town that our church planted. It was a sight to see Wilson on an electric blue drum set playing a steady beat to Hark the Harold. Classic.  Just what every church of 50 members wants, a 12 year old playing a drum set in their sanctuary.

Laura and I after church and lunch went shopping allllll over Greenville purposefully trying to take our sweet time. Mom planned a caroling trip for this afternoon. We were going to "try" to make it back home before she left at 3:45. Mom calls us at 3:35, threatens our lives if we don't come home to carol. Then, Laura Coleman pitches a temper tantrum like a 2 year old. Stomping up stairs, slamming doors, screaming, the works-- she could have won an oscar with the performance. Next thing you know, all of the Nickles, are in the car on the way to carol with some other families from the church mom had arranged. Mom lectured all of us about how these elderly people from our church can't even make it to church anymore because their situations and it's important for us to bring joy to them just for a little while-- she told us all that " YOU'RE GOING TO BE HAPPY and YOU'RE GOING TO SING ABOUT JOY."  It really was a great gesture-- but she could have just not taken us. She got names from the church of elderly that were sick, had lost spouses or couldn't drive anymore. We gave them a tray of cookies after we were done serenading them.



So, the three of us stand in the very back of the crowd at every house...Here's  mom trying to pull Wilson to the front of the crowd to sing and him refusing to go... we are waiting for the first people to answer their door.

So, when they come to the door we sing Silent Night. Since Wilson, Laura and I were the oldest kids there by at least 8 years... most of them couldn't read yet.  And here's the three of us looking awkward because we grew out of the cute and precious phase a long time ago. Since we know none of the adults are paying attention to us in the back, Wilson polishes up the art of performing and harmonizing. ( I apologize for the shakes in these videos. I was laughing uncontrollably the whole time. ) If you listen closely, you can hear Wilson's angelic voice.

This next video is Jingle Bells. Wilson in this one, pulls out a few dance moves. But, we do get in trouble. My favorite part of this video is when the three year old in front of us says.. "why are we singing outside". I was wondering the exact same thing.

Here are some photos of me being very responsible and a great babysitter. Just kidding, I really am responsible and trust worthy but this week has just been... funny.

Here's sweet Hayes. He's 2.  While I was coloring with his sister, he found a ball point pen and colored on... himself.

And, here's one of my 18 cousins, Margaret. She is also 2. She spilt an entire plate of macaroni and cheese on... herself. She's getting ready for the bath-- so sweet.

Well, that's it. I realllly miss 3G!! Stay tuned for more updates from the homes of 3G members from North Carolina to Georgia!

Wishing we were still precious and cute, the Nickles Christmas Card.

we survived!

well, 3g had a hell of a week. it was from the devil.

we survived and conquered....

•  44(ish) finals..
• 12 final papers.
• no sleep.
• THE STOMACH BUG (x3)
• teaching adult sunday school
• lesson plans
• study breaks
• used 4 bottles of lysol
• a new appearance of Taylor Swift on the hall
• 9234720 plays of "the dog days are over"
• 8883432344 plays of any Celine Dion song. 
• a successful "not so secret santa" gift swap.
• lots of money wasted on food. 
• great skype nights with... THE ENTIRE library.
• a car that refused to go up "heels."
• some questionable sushi
• a broken futon cover
• humidifiers
• art projects
• a night at the hampton inn with a mamma

we did all of this with the help of one another... or in the case of the stomach bug, in complete seclusion.

Here are pictures from christmas parties, from the most beautiful and well behaved ZTA pledge class... and pictures you need to see.. that need no caption at all. happy holidays from 3G!! Stay tunned as 3g members give funny stories of home life and as we reunite here and there over the break!

pictures you need to see: 

.... and guest appearances.

not enough time to blog. exams suck. a few videos off of liz's phone of the weekend...

Here are some great videos to capture our weekend--- Here are Mary Brown and Maria practicing their cheer moves before going out-- with Celine Dion music playing for inspiration.

Here's 3G on Saturday morning... we took a roadtrip to Greenwood Mall for some Chick-fil-a.

 and here are Hannah and Emily in great moods on a Saturday after a big night out...they really do love each other though.

and here's Hannah-- dancing in the passenger's seat of her own car. She really got into the song.

pc dead week... is a lie.

you probably won't be hearing much more from us until this weekend and all the Christmas parties! this is all we are doing this week---

we are being good and studying and writing papers during "dead week". hope everyone else is having fun..