Christmas Day

Playing patty-cake with Grandma McDaniels
Playing with Maya and Boomer

Kaelyn and Payton

All the grandkids:)

Christmas morning at home - a new pony (well, our version anyway)!!

Christmas Eve

Olivia and Payton raiding grandma's cabinets

Payton pleading Uncle Zach to turn on "Do-a" (Dora)

Opening gifts with Grandma

Hanging out with Grandpa

Christmas Eve Prayer

Today is a day for celebrating gifts, and we celebrate it with gifts. But, Lord, help us to remember that no gift we receive this season can ever be as important as those gifts we already possess.
We thank You for the gift of health, and we remember and pray for those who are sick. We thank You for the gifts of home and work, and we remember and pray for those who are homeless or unemployed. We thank You for the gift of plentiful food, here today and every day, and we remember and pray for those who are hungry. We thank You for the gift of family, those here with us today and those who are away, and for the love of good friends. We remember and pray for those who are alone. We thank You for the gifts of Your constant guidance and numerous blessings, and we remember and pray for those who do not know You.
Most importantly, Lord, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, whom You sent to us on this night so long ago. Help us to remember that it is for this reason alone we gather here to celebrate.
Amen.

Merry Christmas to you all!

Self-portrait

Here was our attempt at a family self-portrait! It only took about 9 tries - but here it is!

Hair and Home

We finally gave in and trimmed Payton's bangs. She desperately needed it, but we were worried that she might not cooperate. It was a success! Now if we could just get her to let us put her hair in ponytails without her ripping them out!!

This week we also had two days of early release from school due to the weather. One of those days we decided to make homemade play dough; she didn't quite know what to do with it (she really just wanted to eat it). Nonetheless, it was nice that we could all be at home and enjoy time together:)

Cookies with Grandma and Aunt Megan

Payton wanted to "ca-la" (color) so Grandma helped:)
Payton, taste-testing the cookies:)

Mismatched

Payton in new sweatpants + toast with jelly = sticky mess all over pants:) Friday, Payton decided she'd rather wear the toast with jelly on her pants rather than eat it:( Luckily, we plan ahead for these types of episodes at the babysitter and provide an extra set of clothes or two - who said they'd have to match? :)

St. Nick

Payton received a singing Christmas card from Grandma and Grandpa B for St. Nick's Day - she loves it! We were all dressed up and ready to go to daddy's football banquet but she had no interest in leaving the house unless we could take the card along with us! I was all for it, as I knew it would surely entertain her in the car (she isn't one for car rides anymore) :) Thanks, St. Nick:)

Happy Fourth!

Here are the suggestions for 4th wedding anniversary gifts according to Google:

Traditional = Flowers

Modern = Linen/Silk

Travel = Hawaiian Vacation

One out of three isn't bad!!! Thank you for four wonderful years, Russ!

Big tree, little tree; green tree, pink tree

Friday afternoon we completed the annual trip out to the Fulk Tree Farm (Megan and Brian's family tree farm) to pick out a tree for this year. Russ and I dropped off Payton at mom's house (we would have taken her, but she is still not feeling 100%). I had also found a cute little pink tree at a garage sale this past summer, so we put that one up in Payton's room:) Although we cannot believe that it is already December, we had better face it (yesterday it snowed all day and left a good covering on the ground). Happy December!

Moments Of Losing All Recognizable Sanity (MOLARS)

Payton's molars must be coming in; that is our only explanation for her cranky state of being these past couple of days (not to mention the extremely high fever Wednesday night). It is/was quite the experience. She can't seem to get enough sleep (or enough Motrin)!!! As you can see, she had reign of the house this week (Russ even gave up the recliner for her....that speaks volumes right there)! Hopefully we are through the worst of it and she will soon be back to normal.

Much to be thankful for...

Payton and Olivia

Swinging with Aunt Stacy and cousin Wade

P and Grandpa Curt

Playing with cousin Kaelyn and cousin Maya

We certainly are thankful for the many blessings in our lives. We hope you all enjoyed your holiday week!

Winterizing

Payton and I picked out a new winter hat for her this weekend....she likes it already! We also purchased her first snowsuit - can't wait to share those pictures with you!

Ravioli, please!

Cheese!
Stop bothering me, I want to eat!

Although this isn't the first time this has happened - it was the first time I could get a picture of her doing it! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Grandma Dianna!

Grandpa Curt holding baby Will; Grandma Dianna playing with Payton and Kaelyn
Maya, Ella and Wade helping Grandma blow out her candles

Grandpa Curt reading with Payton

See the potential, not the problem

I am a big fan of the ABC show, Extreme Home Makeover....not just for the overwhelming amount of tears it creates, but the message. Last night was an episode specifically about children with disabilities. I am blessed to spend each day with an incredible population of young men and women who have disabilities -I am mesmerized by their strength. The father highlighted in this episode said something that will remain with me - "see the potential, not the problem" - a good reminder to us all!

Dynamite and Deb

Camille Toe, Cleopatra, Deb and Napoleon
Deb (Sarah) and Cleopatra (Brenda)

Payton laughing at daddy's outfit.

The happy couple!

Have a great week!

Ballerina Girl

Grandma McDaniels holding baby Will -Payton was fascinated with him.
Aunt Tracy and cousin Kaelyn the Daisy - Payton had no interest in paying attention to me!

Batman Wade, Dinosaur Colin and Ballernia Payton

Ballerina Girl

Look at my ponytail everyone!

Last night we enjoyed trick-or-treating with cousins Wade, Colin, Kaelyn and Will - thanks Uncle Brian and Aunt Dana! We hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!