What a BIG Christmas!

I think this was my most favorite Christmas yet. Each celebration/get-together was so nice, so laid back, and so enjoyable. The kids were so excited this year and everything couldn't have gone any better. It was such a treat. We brought home bunches of presents some of which I have already put up so the kids don't play with everything at one time. I know those "hidden" presents will come in handy when those cold, long winter days are upon us.
It really was a treat spending Christmas day with so many of my family members that I don't ever get to see. Everyone couldn't believe how much Will had grown and Abby was so cute and friendly. I appreciate every one's sacrifice and willingness to make that happen.
We are home now....fatter and happier than we left. I am a little sad Christmas is over but the show must go on. Brian goes back to work tomorrow and I've got 38 NEW batman to talk this week. Yes, you read it right. 38 batman that Brian ordered off of e-bay as one of Will's Christmas presents. If I thought talking to 10 batman each day was tiresome, now I've got 10 + 38 more....so...I better go rest up.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Words can't describe how special December 25th is to me, my family, my friends, our nation, and to our salvation. One of the most significant days in our history. A king, like no other, was born in a barn amidst animals, hay, and filth.....such humble beginnings for such royalty. I am so grateful to be His daughter and I hope and pray that Will and Abby will CHOSE to one day be a part of his royal family as well.
Tomorrow we are headed to Brian's hometown for our first celebration of Jesus' birthday and then off to my family's home on Christmas day. I can't wait for the festivities to begin. The kids (espically Will) are so excited about all the fun that comes along with Christmas. The presents and suspense make it so much fun.
Tonight, we made Jesus his birthday cake...part of our family ritual..and Will would have nothing else but to make Jesus a Dr. Doom cake. What a contradiction huh?!!! However, Will wanted it and Daddy delivered. I am so impressed with Brian's cake decorating skills. Looks like no more bakery cakes for this family. Brian has found a new calling.
Merry Christmas to all of you and may He, the reason for the season, be at the center of your heart and home this holiday.

Snowy December

Well, it looks like we are snowed in today. No complaints here though....there is something so fun and cozy about being snowed in with your kids. However, I am sure there are many other people in the world that don't share the same opinion. I can't imagine not having a warm home to take shelter in. "Bad" weather always makes me so thankful for all of my earthly comforts.

So, it looks like we will spend the day playing lots of ironman, batman and hopefully building a snowman. The kids both have snowsuits and boots so might as well put them to good use.

Not much else to report. We attended the annual Christmas party down the street on Saturday and had a fun time. It was so nice to get out. A big thank you to Big Jule for staying the night and watching the kiddos. All in all, it was a great weekend. We are all looking forward to the upcoming holiday. Brian is taking a little time off and we will be going home to ***** on Christmas Day for the first time in 7 years. I can't wait for so many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins to meet Abby and see Will again. However, it is never an easy decision deciding which family gets which holiday but hopefully a rotation will make that decision a little easier in the future...because you at least know what's coming.

Well, the kids are already in full costume so time to go play a little bad ironman (Sissy) and good ironman (Will).

My little girl is 2!

It is so hard to believe that my little girl is now 2 years old. I can still remember nearly every single detail of her birth. From the first contraction at 11:00 to holding her in my arms 2 hours later. A two hour whirl wind.
We are so blessed to have our "pretty gurl". She has changed so much over the past few months and it is so nice seeing everyone falling in love with her. She has become so friendly and can just light up a room with that smile. She is talking more and more and says the cutest things.
Her birthday party was on Saturday but unfortunately a big snow storm and hazardous road conditions kept Ney, Lee, Hugh, Ethan, and Eli from coming. Needless to say, we had lots of food and still managed to have lots of fun. Abby had a big time and I think everyone enjoyed themselves. Will is already ready for his birthday and asked me the other day to take the Christmas tree down so it can be his birthday. However, he did walk away with a couple presents at Sissy's party (thank you Maw-Maw and D-D) so he didn't have it too bad.

Happy Birthday Abby!

God make the world with it's towering trees

Majestic mountains and restless seas,

Then paused and said, "It needs one more thing--

Someone to laugh and dance and sing

To walk in the woods and gather flowers,

To commune with nature in quiet hours."

So God created little girls

With laughing eyes and bouncing curls

With joyful hearts and feminine wiles.

And when he'd completed the task he'd begun

He was pleased and proud of the job he'd done.

For the world, when seen through a little girl's eyes

Greatly resembles Paradise.

I love you so much little girl! Happy Birthday

So, what do you do when...

it is rainy and cold outside, you don't feel good because you have a cold, and don't feel like talking to action figures all day?? You.....build......a.....can you guess it.....a fort! You build a fort!! Guaranteed hours of fun as long as you realize you are going to have to get in there with them, get bonked in the head a few times, and get ordered around. :))

Thanksgiving..

How do I, picture queen, spend 5 days with my family (immediate and extended) and walk away with two pictures???? I am so disappointed with myself. None the less, we had a great little break, ate lots of yummy food, and really enjoyed our time together. I am so thankful for everyone in my life.

The next couple weeks are going to be a little crazy with Sissy's birthday party coming up and Christmas. Lots of shopping, wrapping, and fun ahead.

Long lost friend..

Today was such a treat. Me and the taylor tots hopped in the minivan, drove to ****, and met our very dear friends Jennifer, Houston, and Edie at the mall. It was the half-way point between here and their new home (big sigh) and we had such a great time. Of course, I left my camera in the car and the photo booth in the mall wouldn't accept debit cards, so I walked away with those two little pictures. I took the first one and Will took the other. :)

We miss our St. John family so much but love that they are happy and settled in their new home. Already looking forward to next time.

Houston said he was coming home with us. :)

My cute friend.

We love our church...

and fortunately our kids do too. Not only do we have super talented preachers, but our children's department is top notch as well. I love that with each sermon me and Brian are able to walk out with more biblical knowledge than what we came with and a real life application of what we can do with that knowledge. There is no doubt God is in and all over that place and we are blessed to be a part of it.

One of the highlights for Will and Abby each week is the bus ride to the church. Yes, our church is so big that they have buses that will take you right up to the front door. It is an unnecessary luxury for people of our age and health but such a convenience for young families (and our older population) and such fun for all the kids. Here are some clips from this past Sunday.

Not much to blog about....

It has been a slow and quiet week around here. Brian has been working longer hours and all of us (except Will...BIG surprise) have had a pretty yucky cold with lots of head congestion and major fatigue. Not very fun. Will has a big Thanksgiving celebration at preschool tomorrow and we are all going. I can't wait. I will take my camera and snap lots of pictures.

I finally sat down and made my "to beat the winter blues" list. I listed the days of the week and all the different options of places to go and things to do for this winter. I love warm weather and playing outside so the winters are such a challenge for me. I don't like getting out in the cold yet I get such cabin fever sitting in the house. I am going to try and do a better job of making myself get out with the kids.

Here are some pics from our week.

A mid week break...

Since Brian had to go to Madison, WI for 3 days this week, I decided to pack up the kids, skip preschool, and head home to Maw-Maw and D-D's. I enjoyed the get-away and the break from our daily routine. The kids did too. We had dinner with Matt-n-Ash, played outside quite a bit, and ate lots of good food. Tonight we are all anxiously awaiting Brian's arrival home as he should be here in just a couple hours. The kids and I have really missed him. We are sooo ready for him to come home.

Here are some pictures from our stay. Looking forward to the weekend ahead and the fun it has in store.

Our miserable picture experience...

I go for cheap everytime and cheap isn't always worth it. As Brian likes to remind me, you often get what you pay for. I set up a family picture appointment on Sunday for 10:10. We started getting ready at 8:30, got there at 10:10, waited for one hour and 15 minutes, which was one hour too long, Abby and Will were so over being there, wouldn't smile, Abby was screaming and crying, they snapped 24 pictures, we walked out with one....2 1/2 hours later. It was so miserable. We all left in a bad mood. Never again will I go for cheap. I will just pay the darn sitting fee in exchange for getting right in and getting it done. We really wanted a picture with just the two kids but it just wasn't going to happen. Here is what we walked away with and what will be arriving in your mailbox in the next couple weeks. Notice Abby has Handy Manny in her hands and tears in her eyes. Will has snow batman in his hands and a half-smile. Though neither kiddo was looking at the camera...at least they were looking in the same direction. Hopefully better luck next year. :)

Halloween

Will and Abby had such a big time trick-or-treating this year. Abby didn't quite understand that you don't eat every piece of candy as it is given to you. It was a battle to keep the candy in her bucket versus her mouth. Between the two of them, we had a HUGE tub full of candy which has been trouble for all of us. Our mouths are always chomping on something.

Thanks to MawMaw and DD for coming up and passing out candy so me and Brian could take the kids around. It was a lot of fun and Will is already plotting what he will be next year and after hitting the day-after-Halloween-50% off costume sale, he has several choices. You know me and a good deal.

Fun times with the Rainwaters

Our Rainwater family came and visited us today and we sure had a wonderful time. The boys played for nearly 7 hours straight...not one argument, disagreement, or tear was shed. It is really amazing. They are like kindred spirits. It also helps that I really like "Aunt Vicki" as well.

Will has his Halloween party at preschool tomorrow. He is so excited about dressing up as Ironman and going to school. I hope he has a big time. If only I could be a fly on the wall....

Here are some pictures from our day.

And a special little shot out to my new sweet friend Emily. :)

Preschool Open House

Last night we all went to Will's preschool open house. It was so neat seeing his room, his little cubbie, his art creations, pictures of him, and most of all...to see him excited about being there. He did NOT want to leave. We were amazed. Even with the lure of ice cream and Chick-Fil-A, he still wanted us to stay in his classroom. It spoke volumes to me.

Today I am going with him and his class on a field trip to the library. I can't wait to see him in action and be a part of his day.