Gifts From Granny And Papa

My grandma (Gran or Granny...whichever one I feel like calling her at the moment) sent some Christmas gifts our way. Josiah was so excited and opened Olivia's gift before I realized what he had done. She received a little lamb and already loves it so much.

The boys didn't realize this, but before we left Texas after Thanksgiving, Gran pulled me aside and gave me some popguns that my grandpa had made before he passed away. She has saved them and wanted my boys to have them for Christmas. I cried. I loved my grandpa so much, and it was so special to be able to hand my boys something from someone who meant the world to me. I have wished that Papa could sit and laugh with me at how loud and full of life my kids are. He would have loved to see this.

Thanks, Granny and Papa! I love you both more than I can say.

Ring Ring Ring

The boys and I were able to spend some time outside of Walmart today as we rang the bell for The Salvation Army. We were so excited, but our excitement didn't last too long. We were scheduled to ring the bell with a lady from our church whom we had not yet met. She was a nice lady, but she wasn't really willing to let us join her. She did let the boys ring the bell when they asked, but otherwise, we were kind of in the way. Honestly, it was pretty hilarious.

-Josiah, ring a ding dingin-

-twiddling our thumbs-

-peppy Isaac-

Our friend ran to her car, so we took over for a second. Notice Josiah. He was that hyper the entire time, much to our friend's dismay.

Next year we'll ring the bell with the ladies who dressed like elves from head to toe and decorated the sign area with the poinsettias that you can see in the background.

If you have a moment, give me a call and I will tell you all of the stories from our 2 hours there. :)

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

Jay and I were married around Christmastime and our church family had an ornament shower for us. The hostesses bought us a tree for the shower that has made us smile for 8 Christmases now. Sadly, the branches have paid their due. This year we decided we needed our first real tree!

We loaded up the kids and headed out for the tree farm. Well, it was a "farm" that was brought to us on US Highway 17. Still, it was fun to walk around through all of the trees and decide which one was perfect for our home.

I've always wanted to do this.

The boys enjoyed hot cocoa out in the garage while Jay and I got the tree ready to be taken inside.

I told Josiah that he looked like a little old man in this picture.

Isaac-with his new face.

-opening up the tree with their knives-

The boys both had plastic knives. They were proud.

There it is!

I love all of our ornaments and the stories and memories that come with them.

I Think She Just Wanted To Be Noticed

Right before lunch today, I found Olivia in her room like this.

The boys and I were concerned. Liv never skips out on lunch.

Don't those eyes look sad?

We all had to check in on her.

The boys were so concerned that they even got the stethoscope out.

Josiah thought the cure was -- "Mom, maybe we just need to think of something more fun than us." So he suggested to Olivia that he could spin her in her rocking chair. She didn't budge.

Isaac wrote her a note with a picture of her blowing bubbles.

Finally, the boys went and got her plate of food and put it in front of her. She hopped right up and ate like a champ.

While all of this was going on (it went on for about an hour), I couldn't help but think of the book "There's No Such Thing As A Dragon". In the book, a dragon appears in a boy's home. The mother tells the boy that there is no such thing as a dragon, so he ignores it all day since it would be silly to talk to something that doesn't exist. The dragon grows and grows until it eventually runs down the street with the house on its back like the shell on a snail. The boy finally insists that there is a dragon, a very BIG dragon. He pets the dragon on the head and it shrinks down to kitten size again. The mother admits, "I don't mind dragons this size. Why did it have to grow so big?" Her son tells her, "I think it just wanted to be noticed."

All that to say--I think Olivia just REALLY LIKES to be noticed.

While We Are Recovering...

This is what we are up to...

She played with this bowl and water for about 2 hours today. My floor is very clean now. :)

My boys made these today. I've never seen them so proud of something. I think that it all stems from the fact that I let them hang something on their walls with tape.

Isaac's "gray" white shark

Josiah's dolphin

Other than that, we are a pretty boring bunch around here. Oh, I forgot! Olivia let me fix her hair for about 30 minutes tonight. We tried out lots of different styles, and each hairdo had to be shown off to her adoring brothers. I love these kinds of days.

Texas Thanksgiving Part II

Here are the pictures from Borger. I really thought I had my camera out a whole lot more.

Hey! A picture of us! Thanks, Linds.

Football!

Watch out, Ryan!

He's so cute.

All of 'em.

Do boys need an excuse to tackle? No ball, no problem.

Olivia ventured outside for a moment. But she was getting lots more attention inside.

This is why they love their Aunt Shanna so much. She chases them!

My two grandmothers

Mama (on the left) taught me to love old movies.

Granny (on the right) tried her darnedest to teach me how to sew. I wish I would have paid closer attention!!!!

Silly faces

Liv getting tummy tickles from her Uncle David

My boys with their Mumzie and Aunt Shanna

Olivia wanted to wear that stocking.

Her Aunt Lindsey watched on while her daddy tried to catch up on sleep for the trip back. :)

Zach and my cousin, Johnathan

ATTACK!

Huddle up and plan better attack

I know--gross. Zach never wants to grow up (He's a Toys-R-Us kid) and I like to encourage him.

some of the gals

Look, Papa! I know you are proud. :)

Buff and Siah. I thought that this was the only picture of my dad, but then I found this...

Dad and Bill

(my best friend's dad and also my parents' neighbor)

Lindsey and Addilyn

I thought this was a classy way to close us out.