Christmas celebrating in Tennessee

Family.  That word means more to me this year than ever.  It's been a hard autumn and winter so far for our family... 3 cancer diagnoses in 2 weeks time... Loss of a friend.  Not the fun, fluffy stuff usually highlighted on this blog.  But, God's hand has never been felt more strongly.  He is so good.  And we cling to Him even harder through it all.

I COULD NOT WAIT to get to Tennessee this year and see my family.  The time together was wonderful and much too short!  Great food, fun presents, good conversations and the cousins laughing and playing together.  Hannah was enthralled with her cousin Elle and followed her around everywhere.

my beautiful mom and me

Jackson and cousin Elle

Sweet Emerson!

Tyson, Amanda, Mike, myself, Jackson, Hannah, Elle and Emerson went to the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge.  It was fun to show Jackson some of the history of the Manhattan Project and how both of my grandfathers (his great grandfathers) worked for labs that produced the Atomic Bombs.  Jackson and Elle really enjoyed the hands-on science stuff.  But the highlight was this "hair raising show".  Elle was first in the crowd to volunteer to touch the machine (Van de Graaff generator), and Hannah followed right after.  Amanda and Emerson did not have such an enjoyable experience as they both got a little shocked.  Fun memories... Tyson and I did this with our cousins many, many years ago.

the bearded brother at Big Ed's Pizzeria, our favorite

Hooray for more presents.  Aunt Kaye knows how to spoil them rotten!

Emerson cracked us up!  She climbed into this box and posed like a doll.  She didn't want to come out!

The clan

Hannah didn't take her eyes off of Elle... can you see a pattern?

Christmas day 2011

Christmas fell on a Sunday this year, which makes for some hectic times for a pastor's family. We enjoyed a little time together early before church as a family. First up was the reading of Scripture on the birth of our Savior. I won't lie... the kids didn't pay much attention. It was early and they were crazy excited. But, it sets a tone and a reminder for why we celebrate. We had many activities and lessons in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The first present openned was the Jesus figurine from their nativity set. They placed it in the manger and Hannah said, "Jesus is born!".

reading from Luke 2 (shirt courtesy of our neice Jenny!)

Then it was on to a few presents and stockings...

don't let the sleepy bed-head fool ya... he's one happy boy with some new ninjago, beyblade, imaginext, etc.

Hannah's new princess dress up set

After a few presents and yummy Orange french toast and sausage breakfast, we headed to church. First time in ages all four of us rode together since Daddy usually leaves very early to prep.

on the infamous train at church

Jack and cousin Ethan

Cousin mug shot

Granddaddy and Hannah

Love this picture of my Christmas angels!

GrandDee and Hannah

Later that afternoon, we went to Grandmother's for some celebrating with her, Matt's family and Karen's family.

Grandmother and Hannah in their matching red and white.

Super excited about a Hero Factory figure!

Following that gathering we came home, rested a little and then packed for our big trip to Tennessee. It was a wonderful Christmas day!

Birthday morning

For Jackson's 7th Birthday he requested Monkey Bread (with candles) for breakfast and instead of cake he asked for Chocolate Chess Pie with "Happy Birthday" written in green icing. Love that boy! :)

For the usual tradition we had a small family gathering that morning to celebrate him before more family gatherings that evening to celebrate Christmas. I am often asked if he minds having a birthday so close to Christmas, and I can honestly say at this point he doesn't seem to mind one bit! The presents just seems to keep coming with every family member we see for weeks. Who wouldn't love that?

Our Seven Year Old

 

Jackson, you have grown and matured so much in the last year.  Your dad and I are so proud of you!  With each passing year it has been pure joy to be your Mom.

There are so many things I love about you...

I love that you can still be all boy, yet pause to give me a hug or snuggle up on the couch beside me.  I love that you have Jesus in your heart.  I love to hear your prayers - especially how you pray for others in need so earnestly.  I love how you love to watch classic old movies with me (latest favorite is Swiss Family Robinson).  I love how you care after your sister - even when she annoys you.  :)  I love how you like school and work so hard.  I love how you approach life with such vigor and joy.

Happy 7th Birthday, sweet boy.  You are the best Christmas present a mommy could ever ask for!

The verse I pray over you most often:  "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”  - Joshua 1:9

Class party

We took in a birthday treat for Jackson's class last week.  He picked sugar cookies with icing and sprinkles to give out.  He has such a sweet class of friends! 

Seeing Triple?

Cousins Caleb and Ethan dressed just like Jackson by coincidence last Sunday!

Christmas in Pinetown

We celebrated Christmas last weekend in Pinetown with all of Mike's dad's side of the family.  It was so good to see his grandmother again (Great Granny to Jack &Hannah) along with all the aunts, uncles, cousins and more cousins.  Seriously, there are a lot of Windleys!  :)  Fun was had by all!

Me and my niece, Jenny.

Hannah and Elijah give Jenny a new hair-do with a set Aunt Norma gave her.  Jenny was a trouper!

Jackson & Daddy were really excited to see him get a marshmallow shooter.

Fun day @ Pullen Park

Before the crazy blitz of Christmas festivities began, we went as a family to the newly renovated Pullen Park.  It's by far our favorite park in the area.  Mike and I both have fond memories going there when we were children.  The excitement waned a bit when we discovered that the train, boats, and beautiful carousel were closed for the holidays.  
We still had fun on the new playgrounds, feeding ducks and walking around the lake on a freakishly warm day.  And windy! So grateful to have remembered my camera that day (since I usually never remember it!).

Is it sad that she makes her best smiles when she is being sneaky?!  She was jumping out behind the steps and yelling "Boo!".

Jack's favorite thing to do @ Pullen!

It's been a while, so I thought I'd update on the little quirks of the kiddos...

Hannahisms:

• "pink is my favorite color in the whole wide weird".  She insists that she needs at least one pink thing on everyday.
• Bottom = "bob-bum"
• Dora the explorer = "Dora the a stroller"
• excessive use (mostly incorrectly) of the word "actually".  Picked this up from Jackson.
• Pretends to go to her "little school" everyday just like Jackson.  At little school she "eats lunch, shares toys, and has a good day".
• Obsessed with talking about poop.  Ugh.  We are working on that one...ignoring it did NOT make it go away!
• She will hug, kiss, and tell you that you are beautiful and her best friend....and then turn and willfully disobey with a impish grin.  Such a stinker!
• She's utterly fascinated with the tooth fairy that comes to Jackson's room and talks about her all the time.
• I am so excited = I so cited. (squealing)
• She says the sweetest little prayers.  I love hearing her pray for her family, friends and church.

Latest and greatest with our J-man:

• Really thriving in school this year.  We are so blessed with a wonderful teacher!
• Favorite past times:  LEGOs legos legos, climbing trees, bike and scooter riding, joke/riddle telling.
• He is writing a Star Wars book with illustrations and everything.
• Jackson has just matured so much in the last several months.  I am really enjoying the more mature conversations (you know, things other than legos and Star Wars).  He's been given more responsibilities - and risen to the challenge in great ways.
• Still does NOT like the "fake Santa" at the mall.  He won't go near him.  :)

Y Guides

Shepherd Fox and Fire Fox @ the Camp Kanata closing ceremony

Mike and Jackson are doing Y Guides together this year (formerly "Indian Guides").  It is a wonderful program through the YMCA... kind of like boy scouts, but made for dads and sons.  Mike and his dad did it (many moons ago) and so did my dad and brother, Tyson.  

Mike chose his name to be "Shepherd Fox" and Jackson has chosen to be "Fire Fox".  So far, they are really enjoying their tribe, the Peak City Warriors, made of 8 other dads and sons.  Jackson's buddy Cole is also in the tribe.  They have already been on a campout, done some projects to earn badges and gone to a big tribal outing to Camp Kanata with all the other tribes.  Mike and Jackson assembled their vests all by themselves, too!  We will be hosting the December meeting in a few weeks.

How How!