washington adventures with eric, rachel, addelyn and payne: December 2012

Monday, December 31, 2012

2012 - a year in review

- January -

Addelyn and Eric had their first daddy/daughter date

- February -

our first snow in Oklahoma

- March -

our first backyard flood in Oklahoma

- April -

family fun at Lendonwood Gardens on Easter morning

- May -

Buddy gives Eric his lawnmower and Eric doesn't have to push mow our yard anymore-plus the kiddos have a great ride

- June -

Our sweet Addelyn turns 4

- July -

Our rascal Payne turns 2 (and we find out about all sorts of his food allergies)

- August -

Rachel gets to go to Oklahoma City with some friends and hear Jen Hatmaker speak

- September -

Addelyn begins season 3 of soccer and Payne is her biggest fan

- October -

our first camping trip since moving to Oklahoma (but we camped in Arkansas!)

- November -

Addelyn's first time hunting

Payne's first time hunting

- December -

Eric's 1st half marathon and Rachel's 3rd half

A fun and crazy 2012 - bring it on 2013!!!!

our big helper

Payne has become a super big outside helper to Eric lately. He loves when Eric gives him a job and always tried to copy his daddy.

helping load up some leaves

Eric was chopping wood...Payne just couldn't resist!

I love how hard he is working and his determined look!

what a cutie!

my 2 lumberjacks :)

Sunday, December 30, 2012

At the First Baptist church here in town, they have a Christmas open house for the kiddos. The kids can go into a room and pick out presents for their family members with a church helper and they come back with it wrapped and ready to go! Santa is even there! The kiddos were super excited about going...we had been prepping Payne about seeing Santa (since he usually starts screaming his head off). He kept saying "Santa scary but gives candy." He told us he was going to take a picture with Santa and Adde...we weren't too sure about that?!

All ready for the Open House...dressed in Christmas clothes

both kiddos insisted I be in the pictures...I love their nervous looks

here is the best picture we have

maybe next year?

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree!

Because of our extended stay in Tennessee..we were a bit late at putting up our tree! So we decided to minimize the Christmas decor and just put up the 3 foot tree this year. What a fun family night including listening to Bing Crosby..the kiddos did the majority of the decorating and you can definitely tell! I love it!

Addelyn was SO EXCITED!!!

Payne couldn't wait to help either!

"cheese"

this little man means T-R-O-U-B-L-E!!

all done!!!

trying to get a picture of the kids in front of the tree

managed to get a silly one

Payne then came out with his glasses on..upside down as always-and note the no pants...again! He does not enjoy wearing pants!

Yah for putting up our tree!!! It's the most wonderful time of year!!!

Friday, December 28, 2012

ECS State Football game..GO EAGLES???

My brother's football team went to the state championship game while we were in Tennessee. Cassie offered to keep mine and Mandy's kiddos-so sweet! We took her up on her offer and headed to Cookeville, TN with the rest of the family to cheer on the ECS Eagles. Growing up, our school rival was ECS..so it's funny that my brother teaches and coaches there and now we cheer for them. Just takes some getting used to! Unfortunately, ECS didn't win the game...but we sure had a great time cheering them on, the drive to and from Cookeville, and being at the game!!!

Mandy, me and Katie all decked out in our maroon!!! Go EAGLES!!!

Mom and Dad

Tim and Caleb

the family cheering on the Eagles

a perfect afternoon for a football game

we sent this picture to Cassie during the game...Tim was wondering if this would be a good "herbal remedy" for his stuffy nose? Cassie was quite amused..and so was the rest of the spectators around us! :)

Thursday, December 27, 2012

St. Jude Half Marathon - a race to remember!!!

On December 1st, I had the privileged of running in the St Jude Half Marathon in Memphis. One of my BFFs talked me into signing up and then I talked a few family members into signing up too!!! This was my 3rd half to run..and this was by far the hardest but best race I've ever run! I didn't make the goal I had hoped for but did PR..so I can't complain! 13 miles is 13 miles...but when you run through the campus of St Jude and see the families and precious kiddos that are at the hospital and you are running for..perspective changes a lot! I am healthy and can run those 13 miles...I have healthy kiddos...we have an easy life and have never been through anything like these families.

I did a lot of praying during the race for those families and also a high school friend of mine and his family...their 4 year old daughter, Ava, was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and she is undergoing radiation and chemo at St Jude. I even had the privileged to meet her after the race. PRECIOUS!!!

So needless to say-it was a fabulous race...and to be able to run it with members of my family and my high school bud made it even more special. I'm super proud of my 67 year old daddy and hubby who both ran their first half marathons. whooo hooooo!!! What a special day!