Yum Yum Popcorn!

We received the greatest gift the other day! This cute little air popcorn popper! Isn't it adorable? I love it and it reminds me of my dad popping us popcorn in his air popper growing up!

The kids loved waiting for it to pop and then watching it pop out into the bowl! Sasha and Stephen we give it a huge thumbs up! Thank you so much! You are so thoughtful! We LOVE it!

Every once in awhile...

I come across this...

and thank God that they DO LOVE EACH OTHER!

Prayers for my family...

On Christmas Day my precious Granny lost one of her brothers. He had been sick with a virus and it went too long before they took him to the ER and he passed away. I just got word today that my Granny's other brother passed away last night. I can't imagine the loss of a sibling, much less both brothers in less than a week. My Granny is precious and is exhausted from taking care of my ill grandfather. When my first great-uncle past away it really upset my Papa. I am really worried how it might affect him this time. Please please pray for strength during this time. My poor Granny...

Pray for Stellan!!!!!

I've been following this sweet family for months now and they NEED your prayers NOW. Baby Stellan has RSV and it's bad. He is in ICU and needs prayers now. Please take a moment and pray for him, his family and the doctors treating him.

Happy Birthday to me!

Today is my birthday and I've had the best day!

Lots of phone calls! My next door neighbor brought over oreo cakes with candles for the kids to set up for me! So sweet!

Later I meet my hubby, kids and our friends Matt, Jessi and Grayson out for dinner! Yum-O!
Then my sweet sister in law brought over a cake and they all sang Happy Birthday to ME! Now we are playing American Idol on the Wii with Hannah, Chele and my family! It's been a good day! Thanks everyone!

Down on the 25th, Up on the 27th

Yes, I took my real tree down on the 25th. I actually had 1/2 or more of the ornaments off before I left for my parents around 10:30 am. I know, I know I am awful, but it runs in the family!

So today we went out looking for us a artificial tree. I enjoyed the real tree but need something that can hold my ornaments on the whole month! This is what I came home with. I think I like it. I see some whole's in this picture, but I also haven't seperated all the limbs.

Who else do you know that took a tree down one day and then 2 days later put up another one? I just wanted to make sure it was the one before I missed my opportunity to return it!

My Christmas Familiy Portrait 2008

I enjoyed my Christmas so much! I got to visit my whole family. The kids had the best time playing and just being together!
Before going our seperate ways we decided on a quick family picture! I am so glad we did! I think it turned out perfect!
I am so looking forward to another get together, but next time we are getting the games out! Looking forward to a night of Taboo or Catch Phase! Merry Christmas I love you all!

Miss Kennedy just as sassy as ever! But these are so her!

I did alittle cropping to get this one. I just loved Walker's little face! And Alli is blurred but she has the biggest smile on her face in i think must of these! She was tickled about something!

Meeting Baby Daniel!

Yesterday, the 26th, we got to meet a little cousin for the first time! Baby Daniel! He is the cutest little guy and the best baby I think I have ever been around...really! He never fussed or cried and just sat and watched everything going on around him! He is a doll!

Griffin wasn't too sure of the new kid in his territory. Griffin had a hard time sharing...But Walker loved him!

Daniel belongs to Jason's 1st cousin Stephen. He and his wife Sasha used to live in NYC. So when we were there this summer they took us out to lunch and showed us around! We have really enjoyed getting to know them!

There has been some joking going on about who could "ice" the best...so yesterday we put their skills to the test! They iced cupcakes. First one finished was crowned the Icing King! Good job Stephen! Babe, you'll get him next time ;)!

We are so happy that you all (John, Monnie, Granny, Stephen, Sasha and Daniel) got to come over yesterday! We enjoyed our time! Had a great time playing Catch Phase, watching the children play and just catching up! Hope you guys have a safe trip traveling tonight! Hope to get together again soon! In fact, as you left yesterday I got a little sad thinking that it might be awhile before we saw you again...Hopefully not! Love you all! Happy New Year!

Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas! Full of family, laughter and fun!


Griffin was more interested in the bags or the boxes.

And Walker couldn't wait to unwrap his presents. It was torcher to wait even just a few minutes.

And Griffin enjoyed sitting or riding on the presents. He scooted all over the living room on this gift that didn't belong to him. Luckily, it was only a blanket and it belonged to his big sister who thinks he hung the moon...

I hope you all had a wonderful day too! Full of family and friends!

Naughty and Nice!

Wow with one day left we finally got by to see Santa! And remember I told you it wouldn't be pretty!

It wasn't pretty until good ol' Santa pulled the candy canes out of his hat and boy did that change his attitude!

He picked a cane and sat for the remainder of the shoot!

With a 1/2 way smile! I'll take what I can get!

This is what they asked for (Santa only allows 1 request each):
Walker: a remote control monster truck (check, a remote control motorcycle)
Alli: an ipod (uh oh!)
Griffin from the mouth of Alli: cars (check, 1 hot wheel for his stocking)


Words from Walker:

When we got back into the car Alli was talking about what she told Santa Griffin wanted...cars. And Walker says, don't you know those are the #2 choking hazard for babies. Isn't that right Mama? This is because earlier we were talking about the lids off water bottles being the #1 choking hazard now for babies. See, they are always listening!

Wonder....

Recently I read another bloggers post, Becoming Me, and wanted to share it. It is beautifully written and inspirational. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Words from Walker

My Papa hasn't been feeling great so my mom has been staying down at my their house at night to help my granny with him. He woke my mom up moaning the other night, his legs were aching. Walker heard mom say this and said to me, "Do you think Papa's still growing?" Papa got a good laugh out of that! My Papa was 85 yrs old in June!

Our weekend in a post

Our "Yay it's Christmas Break" Party! I promised the kids the night before that we would have this little party with just our little family. We had hotdogs over the fire and roasted marshmellows and had smores. We all really enjoyed just hanging out and relaxing in the backyard. I will say that a fire pit and a one year old really don't mix! Well, and Jason would add a nervous nelly doesn't mix either! Other than trying to keep G safe from the fire it was relaxing!




After eating and playing we gave everyone a bath and loaded in the car and drove around to look at lights! They really enjoyed seeing all the lights and driving by Santa's house. We have a house near us whose decorations are over the top PLUS the man of the house dresses up like Santa and sits out in his walkway handing out candy and having his picture made with all who stop! This is a huge deal for our kids. We have talked to this Santa every year since Alli was a baby! In fact, we will probably only have our picture made this year with him instead of the one in the mall. Honestly, Griffin isn't going to have much to do with any Santa so I assume just driving a few minutes from the house and NOT waiting in a long line! We also drove thru one neighborhood that displays the story of Jesus's birth. We took turns reading the signs and enjoyed chatting with the kids about what they read or heard!

(Griffin is enjoying his smore)
*********************************************************************

On Saturday Griffin put our red pillows on the fireplace and started jabbering to Jason. Of course nothing he said sounded familar. So I asked him if he was wanting Daddy to sit on the fireplace. He immediately shakes his head NO with tons of excitement! This actually means YES! So Jason went and sat down next to him and G turns to me and says, "Cheese"!

He wanted his picture made with his Daddy! So I jumped up and ran to grab my camera! I wasn't going to miss this one...sweet boy!

Then he sat next to his Daddy looking at his ABC book!

******************************************************************
Saturday night was Hill and Holt's firm Christmas party! What I LOVE about these parties it is just us and Matt and Jessi! No pressure to impress anybody! I love it! I love it! I love it! At the other firms J's worked for we called them "AFF's" (Ackward Firm Functions). Oh how awful they were! So anyway, the guys made reservations at Kiepersol Estates Restaurant! It.was.wonderful! We had the best time visiting with Matt and Jessi child free! We enjoyed sampling each others food (that would never fly at the AFF's). And last, the guys surprised us with presents! They bought us perfume and an ornament to remember our first year self employed! They really out did themselves! We were completely surprised and so thankful for our husbands hard work and dedication to God, us, their children and their jobs. I love you Babe!

***************************************************************************

Today (Sunday) I made lunch for my very deserving parents. My mom works so hard taking care of her parents and helping my dad build barns and other jobs around the place. I so wish I could do more. We took lunch out and ate and visited everyone for several hours! We really enjoyed our time.

My grandparents looked good and they enjoyed seeing the kiddos! Griffin ALWAYS puts a smile on Papa's face! Griffin (William) is Papa's name sake! Papa gets a kick out of Griffin and all his energy...he's got lots! I gave them our Christmas present to open. I wanted them to open it when things were calm and I could enjoy watching her open it! On Christmas eve with all the family there it can be alittle chaotic. I made her a 12 month calender with pictures from our past year! SHE LOVED IT! I'd suggested this for anyone who has that hard to buy for person that has everything! Maybe next year I can be more organized and have more pictures of more family members! Merry Christmas Papa and Granny! I love you oh so very much! As I tear up I will leave it at that!

******************************************************************************

This evening we went over to J's parents to make pumpkin rolls and peanut butter balls! I didn't get pictures of the pumpkin rolls, but they are a favorite!

Griffin really enjoyed throwing the "bahlls" in the chocolate.

Our day ended with pizza from "The King"! Oh man! It doesn't get much better!

Merry Christmas everyone! I doubt I'll be bloggin much this week! Have a wonderful day and remember, "Jesus is the reason for the Season!"

12 Days of Christmas!

I found this on one of the blogs I frequent and just loved it! Hope you all get a kick out of it too! Merry Christmas!

Little helping hands

Both of my boys are very helpful. Walker always has been and Griffin seems to be following in his big brothers footsteps.
Maybe little girls aren't as helpful now with things like laundry, dishes, etc because they know that one day it will all be up to them to get these things done! Just teasing Babe...

First thing after school Walker helped me clean and vacuum out my car! He helped the entire time.
Alli read a book while we cleaned and later joined us with her dog and her roller blades on. This was fine...it is the first day of Christmas break!
Next I turn around to Griffin clean off the table with his very own wash cloth. Sweet boy!
And just now as you can see from the above pictures he took it upon himself to help do laundry. Now, he was actually putting the dirty clothes and backpacks you know they are full of germs from their schools into the dryer, but in his defense he was "helping"!
And in Alli's defense I am sure when she was his age she was eager to help out around the house too! She's just outgrown it right now!

This girls heart belongs to...

Wyatt!