A New Year brings a New Life!

This is what I spotted as I drove up the driveway after picking the children up from school today! Now, I'm no gardener BY ANY STRETCH, but I think the first of January is a little early for these beauties! But it's no surprise with the 80 days of rain we've had and the super mild temperatures! Nonetheless, it did my heart good to know that year after year, these beautiful flowers come back time and time again - in God's perfect timing! His mercies are new every morning - and every year!

The children ready for school this morning - I'm doing my best to keep them in winter clothes, but note the short sleeve shirts with tights and boots (and the pants that Wilson keeps pulled up =)!!! No where but the GREAT OLE SOUTH!

****update - I think the 50 mph winds, tornado sirens and rain we're having right now means cold weather is on it's way!!!! Dear Jesus, please keep all safe!

A First Birthday Party!

We had the honor of celebrating this curly-haired princess' FIRST BIRTHDAY today! All the children had a blast (and the adults too)!

Henderson was on the go, most of the party!

Emma Claire and Wilson enjoyed lots of cake and goodies!

My children love to be "front and center"!

About to take a tumble! He caught himself here and it's anybody's guess how this didn't come out a big blur! (my camera really isn't that great)

Before the big tumble! - All smiles!

Why is Wilson standing so still?

It has something to do with his "Balloon Obsession"

Yes, he screamed and threw a fit until he got it!




York peppermint patty - coming out of the mouth! - He shoved the whole thing in there and I MADE him chew it up and swallow it - Lovely!

Sissy-girl had a blast with new toys and little children all around!

Henderson and his "women"!!!! =)

Awwww, isn't that sweet?

Happy 1st Birthday Emerson!

We love you!

Pajama Party!

After having a house full on New Year's Eve, I deemed that was not enough, and my mom brought my neice and nephew from Indiana to play on Thursday AND to spend the night!!! It was a wild day - my house is more like a daycare center right now, but I wouldn't have it any other way - the children are having a blast! Here is everyone clad in footed pajamas - there's nothing more cozy than some sweet children in fleece footies!

Welcome 2009

We had a great New Year's Eve last night, ringing in the New Year with family and friends at our house! The chidren enjoyed some fireworks and played until 11:30 pm - they were a little disappointed at watching the "Ball" drop b/c they really didn't show much of the ball, but rather people kissing - which they thought was just "YUCK". A good, wild time was had by all!

Emma Claire, Mary Alice and Patton

Emma Claire and Mary Alice can't keep their eyes off the fireworks - Chandler is stealing the show!

The Sparklers were a HUGE hit - go figure!

Keeping their distance from the BIG, LOUD ones!

Here's to a wonderful 2009, full of health, love, family, friends and Jesus!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

From our family to yours!

Christmas Cards, what to do???

I need some help from bloggyville!

What do you do with the picture-Christmas cards that you have received and so elaborately displayed in your home?

Do you just throw them away?

Or do you put them up and keep them forever?

My first instinct is to just throw them away, but THAT IS SO HARD - these are PRECIOUS pictures!!!!!!

I think in the past, I have been reluctant to throw them away and instead just set them on the counter and probably my husband got tired of seeing them and tossed em!

I'm NOT a pack rat - I can throw lots of things away.

But these are PICTURES and they mean something!

Help!!!!

NOW! Christmas in Pictures!

Christmas morning - ready to see what Santa brought - sans babies!

*looking at the above picture will give you an idea of how small Wilson is - he and Mills (the first one on the left) are 6 weeks apart in age!

Our Christmas Eve activity - making light catcher ornaments - the big kids had a blast!

Aunt Ellen and big boy Stanton - he is only 2 weeks younger than Henderson -- they are both GREAT babies!

The little boys and me - they're about worn out!

Aunt Ellen and Wilson - the only time he's still enough for pictures is when he has his "ba ba"

Nana and GrandDaddy Bud

Before the chaos began! It actually was quite calm, considering 7 children, 6 adults and 313,857 toys!!!!!

Leaving food out for the Reindeer (and that's rain, not snow!)

Getting ready to throw out Reindeer food in the rain

Wilson and Mills - good buddies

Emma Claire and her Santa gift - according to her it's the biggest doll house she has EVER SEEN!!!

Henderson and his Santa gift!

Do you think we had enough stuff?

Henderson laying with his buddy, drinking his bottle

Wilson and Emma Claire being "BIG" helpers

Breakfast Casserole

We are home now and rapidly taking down Christmas - the house is such a mess, but I'm taking a break to share our pictures! In a little while, we are going to some friends of ours for a Christmas Tree Burning Party/ Fish Fry/ Hayride - hopefully the rain will hold off and we can continue to enjoy this warm December weather!