Check out that BARN!

I asked Amos a week or so, (I say or so because he said it was a week and I think it was more like 2.) to make a Barn for Jessa's horsies. Well he did and in typical Amos-construction fashion, it is above and Beyond.... Just look at those pics! Isn't it cool???!!! The "brand" on the front is her brand. The 3E on the right side is Great Grandpa Elvy's. Or course she LOVES it. (So did a few other grandchildren.) I am thinkin' Grandpa's barn-building days are not over with!

Twas the Night before Christmas....

Last night was the official night before Christmas. We read the Christmas Story and The Night before Christmas. The kids all got to open 1 gift from their great grandparents and then the watch for Santa was on....

These Boots were made for walkin'...

OK, You all know you are singin' the song in your head! hehehe... So on Christmas eve we woke up and headed out to the barn to have Christmas with Darla, Amos, Keisha's family, Danielle, & Shane. We had swedish pancakes, sausage balls (which are cheesy and YUM-YUMMY!), And Biscuits and Gravy. {Oh, and 3lbs of Bacon that were produced after everyone had eaten.. I sense a conspiracy! ;) } Just kidding. It was just funny, they forgot to put it on the table. Anyhow, It was a nice morning with a chill in the air. (OK, so it was just plain cold...)
The kids didn't mind much! They all opened their gifts just a quickly as ever. Darla and Amos bought each grandchild genuine cowboy boots. We all had a good chuckle at Aiden. Who removed his old boots for his new ones and the new were nearly twice as long and twice as wide. He admitted they were ALOT more comfortable. hehehe... Keisha said he just wouldn't give them up and was always forcing his feet to go into them. It was cute to see all 10 (or is it 11?) kids struttin around in their new boots!
Jeffy is comparing his "new boots" to grandpa's well worked in boots. He has a ways to go! hehehe... Get to work Boy! :P And of Course.. Jessa's are PINK...

On the Road Again!

And we are off to see our family in KY!
Merry Christmas to everyone! Have a safe and Happy Holiday. Don't forget to take time out for the True reason for Christmas!

Christmas gifts!!

This is the year we will spend Christmas in KY with Jeff's family. So Jeffrey and Jessa got to enjoy an early Christmas celebration with Grandma Nori and Papaw. Of course they loved it! Jeffy's favorite gift was a Zathura boardgame. (Lots of pieces and about a 1,000 rules!) But he has a thing for the Nutcracker. After we saw a production of it this year (I think I posted about it. If I didn't I meant to!) he kept saying how much he wanted one. So he received one from Grandma & Papaw. Jessa loved it all. She got several ponies which were up there with Cinderella as a close second.

A Visit From Santa

I had to get Jonny from the airport last night so I didn't attend the Ward Christmas party, but My Lovely Husband took the children because they were really looking forward to it. (Rumor had it Santa was appearing!)
So they went. They had a great time. Jessalyn was afraid of Santa and refused to go by him without Daddy to protect her. hehehe... But she wanted the candy so it worked out in her favor in the end. Chuckle. May you always believe in the Spirit of Christmas and giving that Santa represents. Their is a Santa and it is up to each of us to be it!

Potent Kisses...

Today Jessa hurt her elbow and came to me for a kiss to make it all better. I kissed it, but she had on long sleeves. After I kissed it she said, "Wait!" then she pulled up her sleeve to expose the hurt elbow and then asked for another kiss. After that kiss she smiled and ran away.
I suppose my kisses just wasn't potent enough to get through that sleeve to the owie. LOL. I Love that my children make me laugh everyday!

Baking Day!

Today was baking day at our home. We baked 5 different kinds of cookies and 6 loaves of bread. (Yep... That's ALOT of Flour!)
But we had a great time decorating the cookies and setting up the tins for families here in the area. We dropped them off today and sang a carol. The kids really liked it but were ready to get home towards the end. Lots of fun and really got us in the Christmas Spirit. Afterwards we looked at Christmas light displays on our way home. It was a terrific ending to a festive day!

Stringin Up the Lights...

Well, we decided that we'd help Gulf Power out and use a lil more electricity this season. :)
Jeffy has really been looking forward to puttin' up the lights every since the tree went up a couple of weeks ago. So tonight we all went out in the front yard to get them up. Everybody helped.... :) It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!!!!

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

SO back in September/ Augustish we read the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis as a family. And now with the Movie coming out this weekend we had to take Jeffrey. So I checked the parent movie review site, (Which I am glad I did so we could discuss some things first and avoid unpleasant suprises.)
We got a sitter for Jessa and we went just the 3 of us. The Movie was very well done. Graphic in spots but mostly I REALLY thought they did a great job. Highly recommend it for ANY age group.... Just for younger viewers you need to talk about the bombing scene in the beginning and prepare them for the Scary creatures in the witches minons.

This is How it works......

So I was in the living Room folding that neverending pile of Laundry that thinks it owns my Sofa, When I hear so very technical sounding instructions coming from Jeffrey's room. They included the words Need, Click, and Hurry. So I went to investigate.
There, sitting at his computer in his room Jeffrey was trying to teach Jessa how to play a game and move the mouse. He had positioned his hand over hers and was showing her how it moved the cursor around the screen.
Isn't he just such a sweet big brother!
Normally she just gets to be the watcher of whatever activity he has going on the computer.

Santa's Lil Helper

Awhile ago, Jeffrey heard an ad on the radio requesting voluteers to be Bellringers during this holiday season. He asked a few questions about what it was for and I explained it was to collect money for people that otherwise wouldn't have anything for Christmas. Well, Jeffy was sold and wanted to sign up. So today was the day. Our shift was from 9:30-2pm at the BigLots here in town. Our friends worked from 11-1pm and Jeffy did the rest. He had alot of fun, although it was a bit cold. We had to run in the store to find some mittens to keep those bellringing fingers warm! He did a great job and wished all those coming and going a Very Merry Christmas! We were warmed and amazed at how giving many people were. It was refreshing to see so many willing to reach out to those with less than they have. I was reminded of the story of the widows mite. Jen pointed out that often times it was those that looked most humble that gave the most. Many said that they felt the Salvation Army's assistance after Katrina and loved to support them. What a wonderful son I have. He created a beautiful experience for us today and allowed us to serve during this holiday season.

Wedding Bells are Ringing.....

Jonny and Jenny got Married in the Orlando Temple!
Congratulations and Best wishes on your beautiful new start! Anyone wishing to see additional pics can look them up Here

O Christmas Tree...

I am So excited for Christmas to come this year. I am just ready to dig out the Christmas stuff and really get in the spirit. I was soooo Disappointed that they didn't have us sing Christmas songs at church on Sunday!! Don't they know it's after Thanksgiving and we get to start the Christmas season!!??!! hehehe... Ahhhh... but that is the world according to Jenna.
Anyhow, so today being Tuesday, Jeff was off work so we went Christmas Tree hunting. To find the perfect tree..... And we Did! We first went to the Christmas tree farm we went to last year to get our tree, but the owner told us at the gate they didn't have a big crop this year and they were really picked over... We looked anyways... But he was right. We ended the day at Home Depot. But we did get a great looking tree even if we didn't cut it down ourselves. So tonight we put on some Christmas Cd's, made some Hot Chocolate, and trimmed up the tree. The kids had a blast. So we thought we'd share some pics... Enjoy!

Choo Choo!

Another thing that has been on our to-do list for a while is to go to this place in Calera Alabama. Heart of Dixie RR Museum They offer train rides and have a museum and alot of historical trains and such. So we made the trip finally.
The kids got a kick out of the train ride but I do wish we had gone a week later as then they have a Polar Express train with a stop at the "North Pole" and you get to wear your PJ's and all. But it was fun for the kids to ride a "real train" and they got a real kick out of the authentic conductor and his comical ways. It was a smaller museum than I expected. But it was nice not quite sure the trip was worth the cost but I suppose since it was included in while we weren't far from there I can't complain. But don't drive the hours it would take to get there just for it or you'll find yourself dissappointed.

Trains and Ice Skating.... Winter Wonderland

So today is the 18th and we have made it to Montgomery Alabama. Dad and Jeff will meet us here tonight so we had a day to use. We went swimming in the the hotel pool in the morning. But this afternoon we found a local mall and the kids got to do some fun things.
They rode a little train. and then we all went ICE Skating! Jessa could barely stand but she loved it after a few minutes. Jeffrey really picked it up. After about 2 times around the rink he was good to go and not afraid to fall and get right back up again! He did a terrific job! I was really impressed. He was 3 the last time we took him ice skating.

Eliza Arrives!!!!

Today the beautiful Eliza made her entrance into the world. Around 6:30 in the morning she finally made her entrance. She is 7lbs 9.9 oz and 18 inches long. She has beautiful sandy colored hair on her head. Welcome Eliza!!! Jonas wanted to know about her "antennae" coming out of her tummy.

Baby Baby

So while we were visiting. Maddie and Jessa's favorite pastime was feeding the babies. We had to locate 2 babies and 2 bottles so both could do it at the same time. What sweet little mommies!

Gingerbread houses in November???

So Mom had this kit and wanted to be able to use it with all the Grandkids. So we took it with us to Virginia and mom got it out with the grandkids. They all had a blast making it. Suprisingly enough, the little ones helped the most. Jonas did a terrific job on the windows. The girls had their side of the roof covered in candies very quickly.

South of the Border

So while driving along to Virginia, since Deborah's labor was progressing slowly... we stopped several times. One place we stopped at was called South of the Border. It had a mexican motif. It was at the NC SC border. The kids loved these big statues they had around the place. Jessa was especially excited about the horses. I also wanted to include a cute pic of Jessa and grandma hiding and peeking out. Aren't they silly!
Jeffrey loved the giant shark (which was a real shark 27 ft long caught off the coast of Barbados. It had been taxdermied or whatever you call it!) It was a fun lil place to get out and stretch our legs and see some fn stuff too!

It's COminG!!!

So last night after the Colts Game... (Go Colts!) My SisterinLaw Deborah called mom and said that she had gone to the Doctor and she was dialated to 3 and was having some contractions so.... Here comes Eliza!! Hooray! Can't wait to see the new little one! The kids and I are off to Virginia with mom to assist with Jonas and Maddie until Deborah comes home with little Eliza. :)

Spinach

So most kids hate spinach right? It's gross and worst of all.... IT's a VEGETABLE!!! but my jeffrey alwaysthe one to dance to his own beat... I found this in a coloring book.

The Sammm--ich!!!

I love my crazy kids as many of you know.... But about a year and a half ago Jeffy came up with a Sandwich that he just LOVES to have. Now I am all for Sandwiches. They are great and all. A wonderfully easy Lunch for me to make. But His is just Gross.... It's one slice of Cheese, mayo and ketchup between 2 slices of bread. eeewwww! But he just loves it and now... Jessalyn does too! Lemme Just say..... EEEEEWWWW! I think I will stick with my PB & J!

Apple Bobbin'

Well, since we had already taken the children Trunk or Treatin'- not once, but twice- we decided they would not be trick or treating this year at all. So we had a Halloween party with some friends of ours. One of our games was Bobbing for Apples. Well, at first no one wanted to go. But soon everyone was getting in on the action! It was a blast. Jessalyn decided she wanted a try but the bucket we were using came to about her chest so when she leaned over to get one as she had seen everyone else do, She fell all the way in! All that was left was her lil shoes up in the air! It was very funny and we rescued her very quickly so no harm was done. The water had hardly stopped pooring off her when she went to lean over to get an apple. She really wanted that APPLE! We allowed her to just use her hands. we figured she's earned it! :)
We also had a pinata- made carmel apples- & made individual pizzas which the kids all got to make up. It was alot of fun.