Christmas Morning!

This Christmas was so very special with our kids being 7, 5 & 2 years of age.  We enjoyed being together and just relaxing in our PJ's most of the day.  Here are some pictures from the kids opening gifts Chrismas morning...most of them from our CA family....We miss you guys!
Aunt Linda and Aunt Deb got the boys the trilogy of Toy Story...what great movies!

Braxton, Asher & Tennyson got Mark a lighted non-fog shaving mirror.

Great Aunt Vonnette got the kids wooden 3-D puzzles, divided plates, glow sticks, candy and foam builiding sets! The plates have since been used at every meal and the chilly weather prevented their mid-night glow stick hike.

Nana Susan got Braxton & Asher new magformers to add to their collection...one of our favorite toys...it travels with us everywhere.  They build the neatest objects with these magnetic toys.

Their cousin Maddy got Tennyson this Playdough set.  We have never had Playdough before ever but all the kids have really enjoyed it.

Aunt Vonnette gave the kids the foam building sets.  While I was putting Tennyson down for her nap Braxton put his together with SUPER GLUE on our wood floor...yikes!

Mark's mom gave us albums our our visits to CA and TX and large prints for us to frame!

Tennyson was dressing & playing with Oliva (the pig) dress set that Aunt Deb got Tennyson

Here is a copy of my annual calendar that I make for many of our family members that enjoy looking at our kids throughout the year.  It includes monthly information such as birthdays, anniversaries, and other pertinent information for extended family members and close friends. 

Christmas with Brother's Fmaily

My brother and his family invited us and my parents to celebrate Christmas at their home.  We enjoyed a nice chili and chicken dinner with Christmas treats for dessert.  The kids had  SOOO much fun being with their cousins.  Here are a few images from our evening with them.  Lisa makes delicious lemon poppyseed bread everyear and I have been enjoying it all week...Thank you Lisa!
Granddaddy with Piper and Emmie

L-R: Sutton, Piper, Tennyson, Braxton, Emmie, Asher

Grandmommy with Sutton, Emmie & Piper

Sutton shared one of her barbie dolls with Tennyson.  She really liked it.  We have more tractors and cars than dolls at our house. 

The girls gave the boys hot wheels...a big hit!

Piper & Emmie gave me a pop quiz on all the Disney princesses...I really need to learn those!

Meet our new bunny!

I must say that reptiles are by far MUCH easier to care for than mammals.  I had a weak moment at the reptile show last Saturday and somehow came home with a lionhead baby bunny.  Her name is Sophie.  She is all fluff and has a great personality.  She loves to be held...even by the children!  She loves her new home in the chicken coupe/run.  She and the tortoise have similar diets so it makes feeding easy.

Making Memories

 This year we decided to go to one of our favorite places near Granddaddy's and Mana's house...Mr. Cooper's.  In the Summer we are frequent flyers to check on the figs, apples, and pears trees.  This time the kids had a blast rolling an old tin garbage can and of coarse  juming on hay bails.  I grew up making memories at Mr. Cooper's and now it is fun to see my children making such sweet memories of their own.

And we played and played until sunset

Two of our joys

Braxton was at school while we took these pics today.  Tennyson and Asher kept saying..."Mommy, take my picture." How can a mother refuse such an oppotunity?!!

It's the holiday season

This year we decided to go to Neely Farms in Thorsby, AL to pick and cut our own Christmas tree.  It was a great experience and we all had fun. Here are a few images from our excursion.  It was quite overcast but at least the temperature was bearable.

Braxton was SO excited about sawing the tree down.  He practices a lot around the house.

The boys got a full tour of the farm...that was right up their alley.

We hope you enjoy preparing for the holiday like we were able to.