Turfbuilding

We have had a great Christmas even if our children have been snotty-nosed the entire week. We had Christmas Eve breakfast with Nana, Papa and Uncle Jeremy. Nana made Mommy and Christian matching aprons--Baylor got a matching bib. We all went to church together then it was on to KY. The kids did well in the car even though Baylor was awake off and on. We went straight to Southeast Christian Church in Louisville (which I described to Christian as the BIGGEST church I've ever seen) for Christmas Eve service. It has been a tradition to go there with Travis' family (Kim's fiance) and to dinner afterwards for the past four years. We really enjoy it and hope to find a good service in Nashville to attend once my parents move and we won't be coming to KY anymore.

Christian was so much fun to watch this year. His reactions were priceless. Such as "I knew I would get this for Christmas" and "I wanted this Mommy, I really wanted this" Baylor was also fun to watch. She was of course more intrested in boxes, paper and bows than what was actually inside. A sentimental memory from the day was Baylor was wearing the same nightgown I wore when I was about her age at my 2nd Christmas. Christan was most excited over his Jack-in-the-box and roller skates that Santa brought. There is nothing like watching the pure joy on a child's face. Like brother, Baylor got her own little easy chair for her big first christmas present. The day after Christmas was spent at Mam-ma's house to have some time with my mom's side of the family. We always have some good laughs--especially from Uncle Willie and cousin Ryan. They are funny mostly because they don't even realize it. We will post some pics in the next few days.

Now it is on to the Melting Pot (w/o kids!!!) to have my very belated birthday dinner with my family:) Yum Yum!!!

is healthy kids!!! Christian started Wednesday with a soar throat and it has moved into a very congested type cold and now my baby girl has spiked a fever of 102.7* out of no where!!! I'm waiting on triage to call me back and tell me what to do with her. This of course happens just hours before Christmas Eve. Please pray that my precious little gifts get better quick.

Here is a video of Christian's Christmas program this Tuesday at OC Preschool. Pay no attention to my commentary! : )

"Rock the baby, Rock, Rock the baby, Rock the baby boy...baby Jesus"

Here are some pictures of Christian's school program. We are going to try to post video later. It was so fun to watch those sweet children sing and wave at their parents. The dads were lined up with video cameras in hand, Moms and grandparents had their cameras at the ready...it was quite comical. Class parties followed the program and they even got a visit fom SANTA himself:)

My mission: to complete Baylor's scrapbook of her first year before her party on January 6th. Includes pretty much the whole year except for right when she was born--that section is already compleated.

This of course is in addition to all the stuff I have to do for the house, her and big brother on a daily basis, Christmas and New Years. The question is can I get it all done?

Ok, here is our first attempt at putting video on the blog. Here was the picture we got on Saturday as we found our little adventurer climbing the stairs for the first time. Looks like some investment in more gates will have to come. Of course, her attempt to climb the stairs was to chase her big brother. She just loves him. Editor's note - I have no idea why Christy was taking the video sideways. Just turn your monitor on its side.

Since she wasn't quite old enough to frost her cookie (mommy ate it for her)--Baylor had fun on the swing in the Bragg's backyard. You'll just have to imagine you hear the giggles.

The sun was in her eyes, but she was having a BLAST!! 

You never know what the weather will be like in Tennessee. We were able to do our cookie decorating outside b/c it was so beautiful. The kids enjoyed all the icing and sprinkles:) The Mommies had to make their own because believe it or not our sweet little ones DID NOT WANT TO SHARE--surprise, surprise.


There was frosting everywhere and very sugary children by the time we were done, but I think fun was had by all--We let them run off some steam outside before everyone's VERY tearful goodbyes. No one wanted to leave--Thanks Andrea, Ty and Grant for having us over.

We went to the Braggs house yesterday to have a little Christmas fun. It went really well considering we have 12 kids between us and we haven't all gotten together like this in a while.

Ashlyn and Baylor had matching outfits so it was good photo op of course. Elizabeth found these cute little ornaments for the kids to work on. Carter, Anna Kate, Caitlyn, Christian, Ty and Brock (our original six-from L to R)) have grown up soooo much and wanted to do most all of it by THEMSELVES. The younger ones still let the Mommies help. They all turned out really cute.

Christian and his ornament--what a pretty smile he has when he's not acting goofy for the camera.
 

Is she not the most beautiful thing...those eyes! Watch out boys she'll break your heart in a few years. Baylor and Mim were checking out the finishing touches Daddy added to our front yard display. This was our first year to do anything at this house so it has been a work in progress for several weeks.

You know a child's first year isn't complete without a little playtime with toilet paper. As you can tell, Baylor was quite proud of herself--Christian was very bothered and just wanted to clean it up. I told him we HAD to let her do it this once(I told him he had done it too) and we wouldn't let her do it again. He enjoyed picking it up just as much as she enjoyed playing in it.


And as if we starve her or something...I caught her in the pantry the other night. Like those thighs need any more help:) 

Today was the Otter Creek Breakfast with Santa. This is one of my most favorite things that Otter Creek does as a family...but my family was incomplete today. Baylor had to stay at home with KayKay and Tex. She has pink eye in BOTH eyes and ear infections in BOTH ears. We also think she is getting one or two top teeth--all that said, she hasn't been too pittiful. We missed her today and can't wait to take her next year:)

Christian actually stood beside Santa (we take what we can get) and talked to him. Christian has gotten on a kick of wanting a Jack-in-the-box...hope Santa brings him one.

This silly blogger refused to post this with the other pics. I had to show you my Snoman Family. They watch over us from a ledge in our family room and they are just cute:) 

I love decorating for Christmas! I haven't been in quite the mood I normally am b/c I'm just plain tired, but it still brings joy to my heart. Maybe it is because I get my birthday (tomorrow) and Christmas all in one month...it's just my favorite time of year. I hope you can feel a little of our Christmas spirit from our house to yours. 

Even though we were tired from a long week, we put up our Christmas tree on Friday night. We had to break out the pack-n-play for Baylor. After she got bored with the beads she wanted to be in the middle of it all. Christian was more into helping this year too, but he could actually help! The finished product didn't come about until the kids were all snug in their beds:) 

We ended the weekend with some time with Nana, Papa and Uncle Jeremy. We drove from KY to meet them at Cock of the Walk ( a great catfish place in the Opryland area) to celebrate Thanksgiving/Uncle Jeremy's birthday. Christian and Baylor had fun in the BIG rocking chair.
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I had to go answer the phone and this is what Christian added to this entry. As I was saying, after dinner we went to Opryland Hotel to look at all the lights. Christian was amazed and Baylor looked in wonder at it all. 

Two of my sweetest blessings

I hope you and yours had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had a great time with my mom's family and even managed a whole group picture (what did people do before timers?)...complete with Travis:) Seated in the middle are Mam-ma and Pap-pa, my Mom and Uncle Willie are on either side. Around my uncle are his wife Judy and kids Ryan and Mandy. My family is around my Mom and Kim and Travis are the two cuties in the middle.
Kim, Mom and I hit the stores on Friday...not for anything specific, just because that's what we do. The kids and Dads spent the day at home and then a rare treat....Kim and I had a double date with our boys:) All in all it was a great long weekend. 

The bronze cowboy

Mickey lights the Mile