Arkansas Christmas

Christmas Eve...opening stockings

Brown eyed girls...Marla, Marty and Joy.

Is that Nate or Brooks?  They are looking more and more a like.  (It's Nate btw.)

Joy and Alex

The Grandkids:  Shepherd (5), Owen (4), Bella (4), Sadie (2) and Marley (2).

What a cute family---all grown up.

The girls!!

 The original 4...

Marley looking all cute.

Shepherd giving Grandpa a high five for his new camera.  "Is it Real??"

Off to Chick fil A to see the Binns.

Reagan saved something I gave him 13 years ago...we took a picture and then threw it away.  Freedom.

Best buds...Byron and Owen

We had a great time in Benton.  Our time always flys by and leaves us wanting more.  I'm thankful that it's only a 5 hour drive.  Thanks, Livers, for a wonderful time. 

Christmas in Texas

We made it a tradition last year to visit downtown Grapevine in December, for this is the Christmas Capital of Texas.  The kids love seeing the lights and dancing to the music.  I especially enjoyed hearing these words loudly sung on Main Street:

O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,

Come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.

Come and behold Him, born the King of angels;

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

Christ the Lord.

This made me laugh...the boys were so concerned...who killed Santa?

 The boys made homemade playdough and were so proud.

Somehow we always hit the neighbor jackpot!  In Temple some of our best friends lived 2 doors down.  We also scored with a neighbor who worked for Oakley and provided us with free sunglasses.  And then there was Linda, who babysat Marley whenever I needed.  Well, Grapevine has not disappointed. Our cul-d-sac here has been just as awesome.  We had Christmas with the next door neighbors.  They are so sweet to our kids...and our kids prefer them over the neighbor kids.  

The kids on Christmas (23rd) morning.  We celebrated early as a family since we would be in Arkansas on Christmas day.

And then onto the Heminway's for more Christmas fun.

Praise God for a reason to celebrate!!!

December...party party party

The boys did great singing at our Church Christmas program.  They're so cute and both get a little stage fright.  

We had several play dates with friends.  Since the boys are so close in age, Shepherd's friends quickly become Owen's friends as well.  Owen has started wearing a Faith uniform every day to be just like Shepherd.

We had several parties at Shcpherd's school.

 I love how Marley captures all the attention of the 4th graders.  They were going around the table saying "Marley say Madison"..."Marley say Alexis".

 Then on to a party at Chuck E. Cheese.  Again...Marley hangs out with the big girls.

 And then on to jumpzone.  party party party.

Shepherd's class Christmas party.  I'm one of the class room mom's so I get to help plan and execute his class parties.  I love watching him in class and interact with his friends.  

 We went to several light shows and journeyed to Bethlehem.  I just love this time of year and the excitement of the birth of our King.

Thanksgiving 2011

We had a fun time hanging out at the Hemingway's for Thanksgiving this year.  Lots of food, fun and playing.  Indy (the dog) always keeps the kids entertained. 

Then later on Thursday night we had a special treat---our good friends from medical school came to visit.  We really haven't hung out much since life in Little Rock, unless you count me "helping" deliver Amanda's twins last Christmas.  Okay, so maybe I didn't really help, but it was my first time to ever watch a c-section. They have 5 kiddos...so it was a fun full house.  The kids played so good together, it almost made me want 8 kids---almost.  Look at all those cuties.

Nate and Rusty had the smoker going all day making ribs and pulled pork for the HOGS vs. LSU game.  We had a party...and it was a really fun one the first half of the game.

Owen and Lucy...

Marley loved pushing Lucy around.  It made me laugh.

We have so many things to be thankful for.  Good friends are at the top of that list.  Thanks, Geidls, for coming all this way.  We loved having you here.