Christmas time is my favorite time of year. I love everything about the season! We had a wonderful Christmas season. We were off to Grammy and Papaw's house first to celebrate Christmas. We loved seeing all the cousins. My kids each have a buddy cousin about their age with the added bonus of their "teenage" cousins (Macie brags to her friends about this)! After leaving Tyler, we headed to Nonnie and Pappy's house. We got there in time to make cookies for Santa and go to the Christmas Eve service. Santa came which is always so much fun and excitement. We then celebrate with my brothers' families a couple of days later. We enjoyed all the cousin time there as well. How lucky are we to have so many lifetime playmates. Zack and I also had a "Date Day" which was extra fun. Mom and I were sad that our final plan of visiting both of my grandmothers didn't work out due to bad weather but we will shoot for summer. After packing the car which took over 1 1/2 to get it all figured out, Mom and I headed to Missouri. We didn't go our normal route due to weather; however, we had some fun singing "Maybe it was Memphis," as we passed the city and we will NEVER EVER look at a McDonald's the same after our Arkansas McDonald's experience. Actually neither of us want to eat there for a long time or maybe NEVER! However, it was a great drive home. Once we arrived, it was Christmas all over again. Every toy was taken out of the boxes, put together, played with and then some. Although it looked like a tornado it, Christmas twice was super fun. We hated for Nonnie to get on the plane for Texas but we were so glad to have her with us. We are abundantly blessed with wonderful families to love, celebrate Christ's birth with, and just be together. It's so much for than presents and things. I think I always get emotional when I think about all we have(CHRIST, FAMILY, health, food, homes) and all those who don't. God is so good!
The best way to get all the kids to take a picture is...NO presents until we get the picture we want!
Weston was quick to show Kylan how to change underwear into a weapon holder. At one point, I heard them talking on the stairs about going outside to get bad guys even though it was dark.
Wii Bowling
Traditional Gingerbread houses
Pappy, you and Weston seem to have the same mind set...sweets, sweets, sweets.
Headed to the Christmas Eve Service....
We were telling Weston that we were going to celebrate the birth of Jesus before we went into church. "Where is Baby Jesus" he asked immediately as we entered. He reminded us of Macie two years ago because he raised his hand and he also got close to catching Pappy's shirt on fire with the candle.
One present opened, note written to Santa, and TWO VERY excited kids!!!
Santa won't mind if there is a bite missing.
See ya next year, Candy Cane
Bedtime book....but these two had to get up again just because...
Santa came
We woke Kinsley and she wasn't quite ready to open presents.
Santa brought Macie an Easy Bake Oven.
"THAT"
Kisnley points and says "that" over and over for things she wants. It's pretty cute until she throws a fit when she doesn't get what she wants. Believe me, the Wal-Mart lady thought it was hysterical as Kinsley ate the donut that almost caused a melt down at the check out line.
All three of these cousins are missing teeth!!!
These girls know how to pose for the picture...but the boys seem to be a different story.
Intelligent Minds
I love games! It was fun to play several with the kids and with the adults.
Zack and I loved our "Date Day!" We left at 10 and got home at 10. We went to North Park to shop. After shopping, we watched American Sniper which is one of the most emotional movies I have watched. It was overwhelming and when leaving the theater, no one said a word. Their was a solemn feel which made me cry even a little more. After the movie, we had dinner and stopped by to say hi to a few of Zack's work buddies. We loved our time! Thank you, Nonnie and Pappy!
Here is a little preview of Macie's Birthday!
WESTON and his bullets, guns, and muscles. His wife will be well protected one day. As for now, he can just protect his momma and sisters.
Macie wanted me to take her picture over and over so I could send it to Mrs. Busch who then would show the class.
The Gingerbread Lady came to Macie's school. This is the most happening event at the end of the first half of the year. I was glad to share in the excitement.
The neighborhood friends had a little fun on early dismissal.
These are a bit out of order but I am leaving them because it takes a little time to fix them. Sorry.
We love tents.
My DAD! Our Pappy!
My battery light was on so Mom and I took it to the shop the day before we left for Chesterfield. Pappy was going to watch the kids for just a bit and lay them down for nap. Well, to my surprise I went in to get Kinsley from her nap and her outfit was on backwards. For a minute, I questions whether I did that not even thinking Pappy would change Kinsley. Then Mom and I laughed but weren't going to say a word to Dad. He later told us that Kinsley had a poop so even though he was a bit nervous, he changed her! We laughed and laughed as he told us that outfit was tricky to take off and put on. He didn't realize there were snaps around the bottom area. Anyway, she was clean and dressed AND THAT is ALL that matters. (I AM LAUGHING RIGHT NOW!!) What a great PAPPY!
The girls would laugh as I pulled them up and down the street. It was super sweet.
Kinsley loves necklaces! She loves when we tell her she is pretty.
