Thank Heavens!

Karsyn

If you've ever had a picky eater ( I have!  I have!! eh-hum...Evan and Addi), you can sure appreciate it when you have a little one that's not.  Karsyn loves just about anything we put in front of her.  Thank Heavens!!!!  Tonight, she chowed down on turkey chili and a little bit of hummus.  She enjoyed every bite of it! I loved watching her.  And just in case you are wondering about Payton, she'll try just about anything.  She not the world's biggest fan of veggies, but we're working on that. =)  You might also notice in this picture that Karsyn isn't in a high chair.  We've switched her over to a booster seat.  This mama will no longer have scrub down a high chair, wash the trays or run the cover through the washing machine.  All I have to do is wipe down her seat with a Clorox wipe and we're good to go.  I can't believe that our little family of 6 doesn't need a high chair any more...we're moving onto the next stage, and sometimes that hard.  But, I'm so glad that the high chair won't be taking up so much space in the dining room.  Hope you all have a great weekend!!!

Christmas Day {2012}

Early this morning, I heard Evan, Payton, and Addi up watching cartoons in the living room.  I was a little surprised that they didn't all come running into our bedroom as soon as their eyes opened. =)  I woke up Karsyn and Daddy and it was time to open presents.  Santa left a bouncy turtle and bicycle under our tree for Karsyn and Addi.  Santa had also spent some time mopping our living room and dining room  floors last night, so he earned some major brownie points with this mama. =)

Payton, Karsyn, Evan, & Addi

Karsyn loved bouncing on her little turtle.  She was doing her super adorable Karsyn giggle the whole time.

Karsyn

I guess Addi didn't notice at all when she got up in the morning, that there were more presents....and a bike with her name on it under the tree.  When I flipped the lights on, she ran to the tree saying, "A BICYCLE!!!  A BICYCLE!!!!"  It was so cute!  We couldn't help but laugh.

Addi

After we opened presents, ate breakfast and got ready, we headed out to Grandma's house.  If you can believe it, I didn't take any pictures there.  It was sure exhaustion I tell you, it's been such a busy week.  This Christmas will surely go down as one of the best.  Although, we really missed some of our family that we didn't get to see, we greatly enjoyed the time with those that we did.  There are a lot of moments I won't forget.  I love my family and I just feel so blessed.  But most of all, this Christmas, I am grateful for the gift of Salvation that God offered us through Jesus Christ his Son. 

Christmas Eve {2012} - Part 2

After it got dark on Christmas Eve, Daddy was able to join Nana, Papa G, the kiddos and myself to go look at Christmas lights.  There is a local Christian College that puts on a beautiful display that has well over a million lights!  You can walk or drive through the display.  We chose to walk through.  Here's a group picture.

Our little family of 6 with Nana and Papa G

There are lights every where you look.  It's so pretty.  I love the look of wonder on each of the kids' faces as we walk through. Christmas music is being played and you can't help but sing along.  Some of the displays dance along with the music.  Here's a look at one of the decorated trees.  A picture just can't do it justice.

Here's our little family of 6.  Karsyn was a tired baby and she slept most of the way through.  Daddy kept her nice and snuggled up so that she would stay warm. 

Our little family of 6

Here's a great picture of Nana and Papa.  Aren't they the cutest?

Nana and Papa

There's a bridge that you can walk through that has lights that dance to music.  Here's part of our crew on that.

Nana, Papa, Evan, and Payton

I love love LOVE walking through the lights.  It's just so much fun!  After we were through looking at lights, we went to Nana and Papa's house to open gifts.  What a blessing!  We made it home just in time to get the kids in their Christmas jammies, sprinkled reindeer food in the front yard, and put cookies out for Santa. Christmas Eve was a good day followed by a wonderful night!

Christmas Eve {2012} - Part 1

This Christmas Eve, the kiddos and I rode along with Nana, Papa G to meet up with Uncle Billy, Aunt Kary, Natalie, Emily and Stephen to visit both sets of great grand parents.  We started off by visiting Grandpa James and Grandma Shirley.  The kiddos always love going to their house, because they get a can of pop of their very own.   Papa G was enjoying a can of orange pop here...(A little inside family joke.)

Papa G and Aunt Kary

We exchanged gifts, had a few snacks and then headed to Grandma Paula and Grandpa Chucks house.  I just love this picture of Evan and his great grandpa. Two handsome fellows. =)

Great Grandpa Chuck and Evan

Here's a picture of my mom with her mom and dad.  I love this picture too.

Nana, Great Grandpa Chuck, and Grandma Paula

I wasn't the only one taking pictures.  Addi was more than happy to help Aunt Kary out by taking a few pictures for her.

Addi and Aunt Kary

We had such a nice time visiting and I felt super blessed that my kiddos got to spend the day with their extended family and to have some time playing with their cousins.  Christmas Eve {2012} - Part 2 coming right up.

A King's Birthday

Tonight, was our church's annual children's Christmas program titled 'A King's Birthday.'  All of the kiddos did such a great job and I am especially proud of my handsome wise man and 2 sweet little angels.  Here's Evan in his costume.  I just love it!

Evan

My Addi Angel really enjoyed that her Aunt Ashley was a play helper.  She loves her Aunt Ashley very much.  I was kind of nervous about how Addi would do during the program.  On the way there, she got nervous and cried a little.  Once we got to the church and she got into her costume, she did wonderful!

Angel Addi with Aunt Ashley

Payton was an angel too.  I thinks she looked so pretty!  She did a great job too!

Angel Payton

Here's our friend who we call Jman.  He was a Shepard boy.  He's such a ham!

Our friend and Shepard boy - Jman

Before the program started, Aunt Ashley entertained a couple little angels.  They love playing games on Aunt Ashley cell phone.

Addi, Payton, and Aunt Ashley

I had to be at the church extra early, so I dropped Karsyn off at Nana and Papa's house.  When they got to the church, Nana had pulled her hair back into 2 little clips.  I thought it looked super cute!  Karsyn went to the church nursery for the first time without me for part of the program.  She did great.  No tears at all from either one of us. =)

Karsyn

Before the play started the kids were all part of a bell choir.  When Addi saw us, her little face lit up.  At one point, I heard her tell Payton, "Ring your bell!"  I couldn't help but laugh.

Bell choir

The program was short, sweet, and to the point.  I hope this really helps the kids keep the true meaning of Christmas in their heart.  Since the play, I can't help but think of a song by Third Day called Manger Throne.  Here are the lyric:

What kind of King would leave His throne
In Heaven to make this earth His home?
While men seek fame and great renown
In loneliness our King comes down

Jesus, Jesus, precious One
How we thank You that You've come
Jesus, Jesus, precious One
A manger throne for God’s own Son

You left the sound of angels' praise
To come for men with unkind ways
And by this Baby's helplessness
The power of nations is laid to rest

What kind of King would come so small
From glory to a humble stall?
That dirty manger is my heart, too
I'll make it a royal throne for You

My heart is a throne
My heart is a throne for God's own Son

Santa and Sisters

I love looking at pictures, especially around the holidays. I found these cute pictures from 4 years ago, when Payton is the age that Addi is now. You know how I love to do sister comparison pictures. =) But, before we get to that, check out how cute Evan was with Santa.... He wouldn't sit on his lap, but he didn't mind getting close to him.

Santa & Evan

Here he is in front of our Christmas tree.  In this picture, he is 4 years-old.  I think he is just too cute!!!

Evan

Here's Payton with Santa.  She was 3 years-old.  Her Christmas dress from that year was my very favorite.  She looked so pretty.

Santa & Payton

Here she is at home in front of our Christmas Tree.  I forgot how long her hair was....she's growing it out again now.  She was and still is so pretty!  (She just looked at this picture and said, "I had way more hair than Addi does now.  lol)

Payton

And here's a picture of Addi at this Christmas Time at 3 years-old.  I think you can tell they are sisters, but I don't think they look too much alike. 

Addisyn

What do you think?????

Christmas Brunch 2012

Last year, Aunt Ashley, Nana, and I were trying to make plans for Christmas, and Aunt Ashley came up with the wonderful idea of having a brunch.  We had such a good time last year, we knew we wanted it to be family tradition.  Nana hosted our 2nd Annual Christmas Brunch and I have to tell you, it gets better every year. (Nana - thank you so much for all you do.  You thought of every detail and made today so special.)  So, what do you do at a brunch, you might be wondering?  Let me show you with a ton (and I mean a ton) of pictures.......  First, we eat a lot of yummy food.  Mostly breakfast type food, but the beauty of a brunch is that anything goes.

Addi and Karsyn had a picnic in the living room.

Family filling their plates buffet style.

Karsyn knows no days without lots of kisses from Addi.

Cousins chowing down.

We play games at brunch and with Nana and Papa G's toys.

Jessi and Addi playing the matching game.

Robby and Evan playing checkers.

I love Addi's sassy smirk.

We made ornaments at our brunch.  So glad Aunt Ashley and Rita were helping out. =)

Making Santa ornaments.

Then, we took a lot of pictures at our brunch.

Our little family of 6

This might be a more accurate depiction of our family.

Great Grandpa James and Great Grandma Shirley

Cousins - Aeryn, Payton, & Erin

Billy, Kary, Natalie, Emily, & Stephen

Papa G & Nana

Nana & Grandma Paula

Aunt Ashley & Me

Cousins - Rita, Aunt Ashley, & Me

Natalie & Uncle Billy

Jason Daddy & Chaddy

Uncle Chad, Stephen, Papa G, Jason, Evan, Uncle Billy, and Great Grandpa James

Emily & Uncle Billy

And, the best 2 for last.....

Crazy Cousins having fun.

Then, Addi told everyone to be a star fish. LOL!

We had such a nice time.  I really loved every second of it.  All the kids were great.  Everyone laughed and had a good time.  The only thing missing was Aunt Becky and her family.  At one point, when we were taking pictures, I told her to get in the picture and she was in Texas. =(  I miss her a bunch.   After last night at Grandma's house and today, we have some tucked our children.  Hopefully, they'll all get a good nights rest, because tomorrow is their church Christmas Program.  And Nana, I just want to tell you thank you again.  What a wonderful day!!!