Christmas Day

Christmas Day was fun filled with lots of time together, opening gifts, eating sweets, relaxing on the couch, watching "a Christmas story", hanging outside with the neighbors, and watching football!  Kids loved all their gifts from each other...  and from Santa!

Claudia made Kaylea a pink cover for her eyes while she sleeps.  Kaylea always complains when Claudia leaves on her light while she reads at night.  Kaylea loved it!  and Claudia was amazing sewing it herself.

My friend Deanna made us some sticky buns for Christmas morning... they were gone in 15 minutes!

Scott and the kids loved watching you tube videos using a Go Pro Camera...

Daniel quickly found his snowboard helmet and attached the camera... He's ready for Big Sky, Montana!

The slack line came from us!  The only trees in the front yard that the line could attach to are located on either side of the driveway... ummmm, there is a problem getting the cars out of the driveway!!!!

Legos was the only request from Samuel... and he spent all day putting together his new vehicles and buildings... happy, happy, happy child!

Claudia spent all day in her rollerblades that came from Santa...  she learned how to jump, go down steep hills, and spin on her toe!  "mom, come watch me do a new trick!"

Merry Christmas to all... it's great being together as a family and enjoying that time.  We are so blessed and grateful for all the love our family, friends, AND our Savior has for us:)

13th birthday...

Daniel and I were chatting a week after his 13th birthday and discussing him getting older and me not liking it!  Ahhhhh, where does the time go?  He only received one present from us.  It was, what I thought, a really cool robotic arm that you have to build from crazy pieces.  It's a bit of work putting together but knew it would work Daniels brain!  I was positive he would "love" it.  

As we were chatting, he said, and I quote, "mom, I was disappointed about my birthday present."  Surprised, I asked why?  

He said, "I just really wanted a phone, and it looks so boring!"  Hahaha... He's not getting a phone. 

On Monday afternoon I "punished" him for doing something to one of his siblings and sent him to work on his birthday present.  I knew he would be out of everyone's way...  

Well...  He hasn't put it down since...  Hahahahaha!   Score one for mom!  

Pinching noses, writing with an expo marker, Cutting paper with scissors, and turning pages of a book, and picking up magnetic balls. 

He's loved it and so have we!  See mom does know best!

Sick kids... While dads on call!

This is what the rest of us do when dads operating at the hospital and kids are sick.  Monopoly World uses credit cards which is so funny to me... The world my kids live in just cracks me up!   So we play their favorite board game, drink warm hot chocolate, and take/drink DayQuil with ibprophen. Oh, the joys of winter season!  Being thankful for a warm house and modern medicine!

Secret service.

I love surprising friends, family, and strangers with service or special gifts. This year our advent calendar is filled with giving gifts to our Savior... By "loving thy neighbor!"

Pulling in trash cans for our neighbors was so exciting for the kids...  They ran up and down the street trying not to get caught.

Samuel took this picture of our neighbors cans...  So funny!  

The kids put notes on microwave bags of popcorn which read, "enjoy some popcorn with your movie!"  We then went to several different Redboxes and taped the bags all over.  One guy rolled his window down and told my kids, "y'all are the best!"

Such a great fun night.  

At Jude's marathon

A great weekend in Memphis. Scott and I were excited to "run for Ryan". A teen who battled leukemia as a child then died of a brain tumor at 13.  We met his parents through friends of ours and wanted to be a part of his team.  

I've always wanted to run the St. Jude's marathon and was excited to return to Memphis to see friends. 

Le Bonheur was were Scott did his pediatric fellowship.  St. Jude's and Le Bonheur work together to help brain tumor patients.  Lots of Scotts patients came from St Jude's.  

I was able to sneak into White Station Elementary to get an amazing hug from the one and only Mrs. Pickering.  The most loving, huggable, sweetest, kindest, teacher in the world!   There isn't a week, in my world, that goes by... Where Mrs. Pickering isn't mentioned.  Kaylea adores that lady... And we do too!  She gave our Kaylea the confidence, love, and support that she needed during a difficult year.  We are forever grateful!   

Having lunch with my lunch buddies was such a great treat!  Courtney and Celia were there to talk me through challenges with my kiddos and moving!  They are amazing ladies and mothers... I totally admire:). 

My Memphis neighbor and running partner, Leigh met me at the starting line! We were blessed to have great neighbors and we still keep in touch!  This girl pushed me to run my best marathon at 3:58.14.  

Running... Not walking on Beale St.  

Literally watching firefighters put out fire on running route!   Crazy excitement.  

Because scott had been sick with the flu for the past three weeks... His race was a bust for him. 

He started out strong but by mile 15 his time was going down hill fast...  Ahhhh, I caught him at 1/2 mile left and we finished together.  Wow!!!!   That was exciting for me.  And technically, I beat him by 48 seconds.  Ha!   I really can't count it because he was sick.   

We had a great time in Memphis!!!!

Until we see ya again!  

Advent calendar

To keep me busy while volunteering in the office at school, I made an advent calendar out of scrapbook paper and toilet paper rolls:). 

Most are service to neighbors, friends, family, AND strangers...  

A day behind... But we'll catch up:). 

Taking advantage

This boy snuck into my bed this morning and wanted to cuddle.  No objections here!!!!  I'm taking every sweet, innocent, love able moment to spend hanging with this kid.  

In a matter of two weeks he will officially be a teenager!  Where did 13 years go?!?  

I love him more now than the day he was born.  He pushes my patience to the max!  He is way smarter than I was... Ever!  He is a great leader at church and with his friends.  He works hard at his sports.  He is mostly concerned and kind to his siblings... But with pick at any chance he gets.  

I am so proud to call him my son.  

If I love this kid so much... even though he pushes me to my limits, I can only imagine how much Heavenly Father loves us... Even when we mess up!  

 

"Daniel, I love you to the outer limits of space... And back!" As Samuel tells me!

Santa's Forest Tree Farm

An exciting day choosing our Christmas Tree from a farm out in the country near where my grandparents Jarretts lived.  

My parents met us there and we tromped and traicied through all the pine trees...  We laughed and laughed as the kids changed their mind a gazillion times as to which tree was perfect for our family.  

Kids all got a chance to chat with santa... 

I love how his voice changes as he comes to the country.  I know he worked hard on his southern accent to make sure he fit right in!

Daniel...  Legos

Kaylea... Crafts

Claudia... Roller blades

Samuel... Dirt bike

Kids even cut the tree down all by themselves...

Daniel and samuel using team work to pull the tree up the hill.  Ugh, ugh, ugh,  so cute... Those two!  

A trip down the zip line... Kaylea first. 

Then samuel.  

Claudia laughed all the way...

And here's our tree...  

Me and my Mom!  A great afternoon!  

Happy thanksgiving!!!

This year... Along with Thanksgiving came birthdays...  Aunt Elaine, cousin Jarrett, and Papa!  

We couldn't be with Papa on his birthday...  But this is the best description and picture of him with my kids taken this summer!   Grandkids and icecream!   Two of his favorite things in the world!   

We are so thankful for all our many blessings.  Christ our Savior, a loving family, healthy family, a job, a wonderful cozy home, and so many amazing friends from near and far!   How blessed we are!

And a forever family!

 

The day before thanksgiving...

Spending time with my dad's side of the family... Is such a great time!  We rarely get together but when we do...  My heart if filled!

This year Aunt Hazeline, my mamaw's sister, was able to come over and hang out with us.  She keeps us laughing and we enjoy listening to all her stories.   Especially of the stories of her childhood!  

I need to figure out another holiday... Besides Christmas that we can all hang out together...  Maybe cousin day????