New Year's Eve

We have had an awesome year. No major health problems. We have jobs and a nice home and the most beautiful children and grandchildren!! :) I can't believe 2009 is coming to an end. I wish for my family and friends a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year in 2010. May God bless you!!

Christmas Day

The grandchildren kept sleeping and we were all up waiting for them to come downstairs. I finally woke them up. Sleepy head!!



Rainey went and laid down under grandad's chair. She was a bit shy about the whole thing.



Little bit early for Kylie, Steven and Austin, Chuck and Britni too!!







They finally started digging in their stockings.





Now this is what I am talking about!!




Chandler is really telling his daddy something important!!!



Chandler and Rainey were so excited!! They must have been really good this year because Santa brought lots of goodies!!

After opening gifts, we ate breakfast. Then Rainey and Chandler tried out Rainey's new cleaning set!!





Rainey was worn out after that and had to take a break with Uncle Austin. She has to have that pink blanket with her at all times!! Then she gets the tag and rubs her eye or eyelashes with it.



Rainey loves bandaides so I wrapped up a box for her!! She puts them on and then whines around like she is really injured!! Such a drama queen!!



We had a great day and I am thankful for so many blessings!! Most importantly that we can celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour!!!

Christmas Eve

During the morning I did some baking and trying to get things ready for Christmas Day when we have our family together. Chuck, Britni and the children were at Chuck's parents' for Christmas Eve. Austin was home already and Kylie and Steven came in when Kylie got off of work that morning. We always spend Christmas Eve with some of our friends but I didn't take my camera. :( It is always a fun time - lots of food, laughs and a Chinese gift exchange which is always a hoot!! When we got home Chuck, Britni, Chandler and Rainey were there. Chandler put reindeer feed outside.



Then he put out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer inside.



Then it was off to bed so Santa would come!!

Christmas Eve

Kylie and Steven made it here about lunch time today. In a little bit we (Robert, his mom-Jeanell, Austin, Kylie, Steven and I) will head out to a Christmas gathering with friends. Britni, Chuck, Chandler and Rainey will come to our house later on this evening to get ready for Santa!!

Merry Christmas to all of our family and friends. We have been truly blessed. Remember the real reason for the season! Christ the Lord was born!!

Luke 2
1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

The North Pole of Texas

We took our annual train ride at the North Pole of Texas.


We started going the year Chuck and Britni were expecting Chandler and have gone every year since he has been here - a total of 7 years. It is always fun to watch the little ones when the train pulls into Santa's workshop and they see Santa Claus. When Chuck and Britni took the kids to see Santa earlier Rainey wanted nothing to do with him but last night she let him touch her hand and pat her on the back - because - he gave her candy.



She started saying something about candy - I am not sure exactly what she was saying but she was excited.



And yes - all of us piled into 1 train car!! Togetherness is what it is all about! LOL!!

Uncle Austin and Rainey - what a pair!!


Afterwards Chandler wanted some yummy hot chocolate!!



It has been fun this season because Chandler is so excited about Christmas and Rainey is just learning about Santa. Fun, fun!!

Fall or winter???

The falling leaves make it seem like fall but with cooler temps and Christmas upon us it seems like winter so while we are stuck in between Chandler got the rakes from the garage and wanted me to help him rake leaves. I told him that I really didn't want to and he said "Lazy." I told him that was right - I just wanted to be lazy during the vacation. Of course I ended up raking leaves with him and then let him have all the fun jumping in them. Well - he and Olsen!! LOL







This one cracks me up. With his blond fuzzy hair and one beautiful blue eye peeking through the leaves - it reminds me of a little bird in its nest. :)

Kiss Cookies

Chandler got to stay with us for a couple of days this week. Around noon on Monday we went to pick up Robert's mother, Jeanell. His brother-in-law, Travis, flew her to Mt. Pleasant and of course I didn't have my camera but Chandler sat in the pilot's seat and Uncle Travis showed him some different things and put the headphones on him. We visited for a few minutes and then we watched Travis take off-headed back home. We then went to eat at El Chico's.

Later in the afternoon Chandler and I had to make our traditional "Kiss Cookies". Chandler likes to unwrap the kisses and roll the cookie dough. (Check out those beautiful long eyelashes!!!)





He is pretty good at it and doesn't eat THAT many kisses!! :) I was working on the cookie dough and when I looked to check on Chandler I noticed that several of the kisses were missing the pointed tips. Hmmmm???



Chandler is the master "kisser". He wants to place all the kisses on the cookies. Great-grandmother, Mimi, watches the progress.



I had some candy corn left over so Chandler concocted his own version.



He thought it was petty good so the next batch he did another one for him and one for me. :) What a sweetheart!!

Innocence?

This picture cracks me up. Is that innocence? Not if you know Rainey!! LOL It's more of a "I didn't do it" or "I don't know what you're talking about?" She is a fun girl!!


We were headed to church last night and I was asking Chandler about school and what he was learning. I asked him what book they were reading and if they read a story everyday and he said "No, it's winter now and we just open presents and stuff." I know that's what my students think as well. They act like it is already Christmas vacation.

Wordless Wednesday