Christmas Day

Christmas morning, the boys were up bright and early...I really think they didn't even sleep from around 3 until they were allowed to get up at 6. Some how the newspaper that we put up in the hall for them to run through in the morn, was down, and Nathan knew that they got chairs for the playroom. Well, it is their loss.

Playing Rock Band, the present that Santa brought for us...we LOVE to rock out!

Braden and his leggos, he put together a big Star Wars ship in two days, oh how he loves those.

Justin with his present, his first football, can you tell Dad is training him early. The babies didn't even know what was going on and didn't wake up until we were all done.

That afternoon we headed to Grandma and pa's for our usual Christmas lunch and festivities.

Ryan and Amy with baby Jess. The whole crew...

Julie and Todd with Jess...I promise Justin got held too. In fact Uncle Todd had him asleep in his arms most of the day.

Our traditional Christmas story reinactment by the grandchildren. All the grandkids there took part, even Josh who is 19...what a trooper and example.

Tyson and Lauren being Joseph and Mary with Baby Jessica...

The "old" wise man, bet you haven't heard that version before:) All gathered around baby Jesus, who has now changed to baby Justin.

Christmas Eve Traditions

Grandma and Grandpa spent the rest of Christmas eve with us:)

A tradition, reading a Christmas book that the boys open on Christmas Eve.

Our little family, with Grandma and Grandpa, enjoyed the rest of the evening! We did our usual Christmas traditions, reading the story from the bibile, opening a Christmas book and reading it, opening our Christmas onaments for the year. This year Tyson got a skatboarding one...he has been so into skatboarding this year and is really good at it. Braden got a piano, he has started lessons this year and enjoys it most of the time. Nathan got a soccer one, he is thriving in soccer this year! The babies got their first Christmas onaments. I love that tradition, every year when we decorate the tree we see who got what each year of their lives and it reminds us what they have been into for that year. And of course, the kids opened their Christmas pajamas!!!

Christmas Eve Dinner

Marci, Wade, and Wells, with Jessica

Cousin Kate with Justin...she LOVES babies and is such a great help!

Cherokee with Jessica:)

Since we only have one family in town, Christmas Eve we enjoy a nice dinner at our home. We invite any of Jaron's family that may have no other place to go also, to join us. This year we had a house full with Grandma and Grandpa, Julie Panter Family, Marci Hooton family and Spencer and Cherokee. It was wonderful to share together this wonderful time of year. There were plenty of arms to hold the babies, not only our two but Marci and Wades little one, Wells. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner and then watched some old home movies, such memories:)

Thanksgiving

Cute Megan and Brooke Berrett!

The crew...check out Bradley sound asleep...he was up all night shopping Black Friday, that crazy boy!

This year my brother Bradley and family were here as well as my mom. We had a wonderful week with them, we were constantly going. It was so much fun to spend time with my cute nieces and I loved watching my kids get bossed around by their cute cousins:) I kept telling them to get used to it as that is how it is with girls, they will soon find out! Bradley and Carroll did their annual Black Friday shopping and as always were gracious to pick up some stuff for us. They are the best! We just wished they all lived closer!

Babies Blessing - Nov. 2009

We were so lucky to have my brother Bradley and family and my mom here from CA for the babies blessing. We were also joined by Jaron's parents and both sisters and families, as well as our dear friends the Barrus, Reids, and Suzette and kids! It was a wonderful day, full of love and memories. We are so grateful to have these two sweet spirits in our home.

Playtime with the camera

What better day to play with the camera then Sunday. Our church isn't until 1 so Jaron broke out the camera and took some candid pics of the kids. I need to update our picture wall and I am so glad that he has the equipment to do it here at home. Unfortunatly, everytime we take pics of the kids, we think that maybe next time we will get a better photo, thus no updated photo wall!

Big Helpers

I have been dreading off track for a while now. Having two babies and the three older boys home 24/7 seemed like it would be quite overwhelming. Don't get me wrong we have had our share of fights, messes, yelling, etc. I have had to tell the kids to leave me alone for a bit here and there. All in all though it has been a real help to have the boys home. Tyson, Braden, and Nathan have all been willing to help out with the little ones. They all love to pick out their clothes and get them dressed. The other morning, Braden wanted to put Jess in a sundress. I didn't have the heart to tell him no, so we just put some leggins under it and called it good. It is cute to see what they dress them in. If I am busy I know that the boys will be spot on in helping entertain the babies if they get fussy. I know that the babes are going to miss them when they go back to school...hey so am I in some ways. They are also big helps when it comes to bath time, they even change a wet diaper here and there. I am so lucky to have such helpful boys that love their baby brother and sister.