Dylan's plate

Here is the plate Dylan made me... isn't it beautiful?

Christmas #2

Yesterday Blake and Dylan got in from S.C. Abby & Jacob were so excited to see them. When they saw them get off the plane they both started jumping up and down and screaming "Hey you!" It was hysterical. It was great to see both of them. Meemaw, Grandpa, and Uncle Dustin got here around 6 o'clock and we began our second Christmas shortly after their arrival.

Abby and Jacob were really excited to have ANOTHER Christmas. Abby loved her cd player and books with cds to go along with it. She quickly retreated to her room to play teacher and read to us. Jacob liked his xylophone. Dylan and Blake had lots of presents and I am not sure if they had a favorite gift, but Dylan liked his Legos (and has already finished building two sets) and his cube people. Blake got 20 Questions from Granddaddy Jim and Granola and none of us can put it down. Dylan made Steve a really nice mug and made me a beautiful decorative Christmas plate.

We had a really nice evening and today we are going to lunch and spending time with Meemaw, Grandpa, Uncle Dustin and the kids!

Christmas #1

We had a very nice Christmas. Abby was very excited about Santa's visit. She asked how Santa would get in the house, how he would get down the chimney, up the chimney, etc. On Christmas Eve Abby decorated cookies with Grandma. We then put out four cookies and milk (which Abby poured). Jacob did not anticipate Santa's visit as much as his big sister.

We actually slept in Christmas morning and had to wake Jacob up to open presents. Abby was scared to come out of the room because she thought Santa would still be out in the living room. I had to carry her out to see what Santa had left. When they emptied their stockings Jacob wanted to eat the jelly beans Santa left for his Daddy. Abby loved digging into her stocking and pulling out each item one by one. Abby was very excited to see the Dora cash register, microwave and tea set that Santa left her. Jacob just wanted to play with Abby's cash register microphone. Abby passed the gifts out to their recipients and helped Jacob open his when all of hers were gone. We all got really great gifts and had a wonderful Christmas morning (with yummy Cinnabon for breakfast). Grandma made pork roast for dinner and it was delicious. Abby could not get enough of the pork and gravy. Jacob spent most of the day pushing around his new tractor with his basketball along for the ride. We had a relaxing Christmas afternoon.

Blake and Dylan will fly in Thursday and Meemaw, Grandpa and Uncle Dustin will drive in from Arkansas. We will have Christmas #2 when they get here. We are all looking forward to Dylan's visit. We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

Blake's Birthday

Tomorrow Blake will be 14 years old. He will also be on a plane flying to S.C. for Christmas. So, I took half the day off of work to take him to the movies to see "Casino Royale." Well, when we looked up the time for the movie it said 2:40. We had planned to watch the movie and then meet Steve, Abby & Jacob for dinner at Olive Garden. When we got to the theater the time we thought the movie was playing was not listed. We could not go to the later movie because we already had plans for 5 o'clock. We ended up seeing "Happy Feet" which was cute, but no James Bond.

We met Steve and the kiddos for dinner, but both of them were misbehaving, especially Jacob. So, Jacob and I left Olive Garden and headed home. When Steve, Blake & Abby returned the Parker's came over and we had cake, ice cream and opened presents. Everything didn't turn out as planned but we had a nice day. It is always fun spending time with Blake.

Like I mentioned, Blake leaves tomorrow for S.C. My mom comes in on the 22nd for a Christmas visit. Blake & Dylan come back on the 28th and Steve's folks are coming down as well. We will have two Christmas celebrations in our house. We are looking forward to all of our company and getting some good, quality time and FUN in with Dylan.

Merry Christmas and please remember all of our service men and women who are fighting overseas and aren't able to be home for the holidays.

Christmas is Coming

We had a really nice weekend. Blake did lots of babysitting for us. Steve and I went to our squadron Christmas party and had a really nice time. We even won an Olive Garden gift card. Saturday I went to a wrapping party. It was fun to get together with the girls and talk, eat, and wrap. When I came home with the gifts, Abby and Jacob helped me put them under the tree. Jacob liked to put his gifts IN the tree. It was very cute.

Sunday, Steve and I went downtown and did some last minute Christmas shopping. Blake was a great help and watched the kiddos for us.

We are really excited to see Dylan (who just earned his next belt in Tae Kwon Do). Merry week before Christmas!

Basketball and Christmas Lights

( Abby with Mrs. Claus. )
(Abby, Amy, Ethan, Jacob, Jillian, Kara, and Niklaus)

Blake had a basketball tournament today. His team won one game (in which he shot three baskets) and lost one game (in which the coach didn't put him in very much... hmmm, maybe they would have won if he'd put Blake in the game?!?). We are very proud of Blake and Steve had a great time watching the games.

After the game, Steve, Abby, Jacob and I went to the River Bend Nature Center with the Parker's to see "Electric Critters." It is an event where they have all sorts of Christmas light displays (mostly animals and Santas) off of the nature walk. It was really neat and the kids enjoyed seeing "Christmas." Both Abby and Jacob were scared of Santa, but Abby warmed right up to Mrs. Claus. She said Santa is too loud, but she likes Mrs. Claus.

Things here are good. Blake babysat last night and Steve and I went out with some friends for a few hours. Today, Abby helped me move ornaments up higher on the tree because Jacob has broken two ornaments already. I haven't put any gifts under the tree for fear that they will be opened.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season!

Blake's Game

Blake (and the Bulldogs) had his second basketball game tonight. Blake started and scored about an 18 foot jump shot. The Bulldogs won!!!! Good work, Blake!

Christmas Decorating

Today Blake hung up the Christmas lights on our house and yesterday he and Abby hung up our stockings. I am trying to get to the rest of the house, but I am slow. Maybe by tonight????

Birthday Flowers

Here are some pics of my b-day flowers (from Steve and the girls). My favorite flowers are daisies... can't you tell? Also, a pic of Abby with a flower out of one of the arrangements.

More Snow Pictures