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!