Christmas 2007

Well, we made it back from Mama's just in time to celebrate Christmas at our house. Monday night we had our traditional Christmas Eve Spaghetti a la Daddy (recipe courtesy of, who else, Daddy), we sprinkled reindeer food on the lawn, set out cookies and milk for Santa, and read the Christmas story. Rich and I put the cuties to bed, waited for the hoodlums to finally go to sleep, and got to work. Finally at 2 a.m. we were done and exhausted, but I couldn't go to bed without doing one thing. One year when I was a little girl, my mama read a cute idea in a magazine, 'Put on your reddest lipstick and give each of your children a kiss on their cheek on Christmas Eve; they will think Santa has given them each a kiss.' Doesn't that sound like a great idea?! Luckily, my mama thought so too, so she decided to try it. I have to admit she got mixed reviews. I thought it was so cool that Santa had given me a kiss, my sister however freaked; she made Mama promise that she would never let Santa kiss her again, so needless to say the tradition began and ended in the same year. That one incident though made quite an impression on me though, and I decided that when I had children I wanted to start the tradition, so before retiring to bed I gave Brooke and Braden a big lipstick kiss on their cheeks. What was their response the next morning? They loved it! In fact, they showed Rich and I their Santa kissed cheeks several times Christmas morning, so the tradition will continue.

Well, Christmas morning was fun; Braden, Brooke, and Emma loved their presents. Braden got a Easy Link Internet launch pad, Brooke got a Barbie train, and Emma got an animal train (can't remember the official name), and they each got a stocking filled with goodies as well. Rich and I also decided that this year Braden and Brooke should probably get presents for each other, so we took turns taking them to Wal-mart to pick out things for each other: underwear, toothbrushes, toothpaste, notebook, and pens. Sound lame? Maybe, but they loved it! Braden picked out a Hello Kitty and a Barbie toothbrush, Barbie toothpaste, Tinkerbell underwear, a pink notebook, and some colorful pens for Brooke. Brooke picked out a Diego and a Spiderman toothbrush, Diego toothpaste, Diego underwear, a Spiderman notebook, and pens for Braden. Braden loved his goodies so much, that as soon as he opened them he gave Brooke a huge hug and said, "Thank you so much Brooke!" "I love everything!" Brooke and Braden also picked out presents for Emma. I think it is good for them to also know what it feels like to give, not just receive.

Finally, after all of the toys and goodies were opened, we had our traditional breakfast of Cinnamon Sticky Buns and played with our goodies. Actually Christmas morning and all day was spent just spending time together, watching movies, and playing with all of our new toys. In fact, the only one of us that didn't stay in their pajamas all day was Brooke; she is such a sassy little thing. I definitely would consider this Christmas a success!

Festivities at Mama's house

This past weekend we went to Mama's house in Camden for some pre-Christmas celebrations. Sunday night Elizabeth, Paul, Rich, the cuties, Otis, Mama, and I opened presents, and on Monday all of the aunts, uncles, and cousins got together for a brunch. Here are some of the pictures from the weekend.

Braden's Christmas Party

Here are pictures from Braden's party at school. Can I just say how much I love having Braden in preschool?! Yes, the learning is the main reason, but I also love getting to go on the field trips, buy things for his parties, and get to do some of the things I did as a teacher without the actual headache of some aspects of teaching. I think I am having as much fun as Braden, just watching him having all of his new adventures, and tagging along for some of them. I love that his life is filled with so much excitement right now, lately about Christmas. He and Brooke are practically bouncing off the walls waiting for Christmas! Brooke also attended Braden's party and also participated in the festivities, including the gift exchange. Which by the way, let me just say that children are a lot more appreciative and easily pleased than we are as adults. The reason I say this is that Braden got as a gift a big lame Spongebob electric toothbrush, or at least that is what I thought. Braden opened his gift, I saw what it was, and thought to myself, 'You've got to be kidding, a toothbrush?!' 'How lame is that!' I stayed quiet though and waited for Braden's reaction. What was his reaction? He loved it! Maybe I am the one who is lame (no comments from the peanut gallery). I can't tell you how many times he has brushed his teeth since receiving his present. Brooke and Braden, and their vivid imaginations, have also pretended that the toothbrush is hair clippers, and they pretend to cut each other's hair. It just lets me know that Rich and I made the right decision to scale back this year. We decided to borrow a great idea from our friend the Laings and get the children each: a spiritual gift, a fun gift, and a practical gift. Presents are not the real reason we celebrate Christmas anyway; it is a time we spend with family, forgive, give of ourselves, show love, and think about Jesus and the life he lived. My children constantly remind me of that, especially since Braden and Brooke also lately have gotten into the habit of putting towels, sheets, blankets, or anything they can get their hands on and throwing it over their heads and announcing, "I am Mary." "I am Joseph." "Emma is baby Jesus." Oh, the sweet spirits of children; they have a special way of reminding us crazy adults what is truly important in life!

Braden's First Time Ice Skating

Here are some pictures of Braden going ice skating for the first time. Rich decided to let Braden tag along on the youth combined activity, which on this Wednesday was ice skating. Rich said that Braden just loved it; he didn't want to stop! I hope you enjoy the pictures that Pamelia took frome the sidelines; I wish I could have been there to see it in person.

So sweet and innocent

I love Brooke's sweet, innocent spirit. Today while we were on the way to pick up Braden from school, I hear Brooke's sweet little voice say, "Mama, can we go home and watch a movie about Jesus and talk about Jesus." How do you say no to that?!

How does he come up with this stuff?!

Sometimes I am just in awe of my husband and his ability to not only spend an entire evening with our children, but have fun doing it. Most husbands act as if you are asking them to give blood or donate an organ if you ask them to, heaven forbid, spend time with their own children. I am proud to say that is not the case with Rich. He not only loves to spend time with them, but he comes up with ways to make it fun. Last night I had to go to church to set up for the Christmas dinner, which we had tonight, so Rich had to be alone with the cuties from about 7 until a little after 10. Did they stare aimlessly at the television all night? No. Did they completely destroy the house? No. Rich and the cuties had a hot chocolate party. I don't where he comes up with his ideas, but the kids love them! Rich had Braden and Brooke help him make hot chocolate, and then to make it even more fun, he had them make little snowmen out of our mini marshmallows. Once the snowmen were made, they then went diving into the hot chocolate. I don't even know how he even convinced Braden, the king of pickiness in our house, to even try the hot chocolate, but now he is hooked. As soon as I picked Braden up from school today, he informed me that he wanted some hot chocolate. He also let me know that we had to make snowmen to go in the hot chocolate. I told him that was fine, but he would have to show me how Daddy made them. Then Brooke pipes up, "Daddy said you just lick 'em and stick 'em." I couldn't stop laughing, and I had to call Rich on the spot and tell him. After getting off the phone I proceeded to make the hot chocolate, but within a matter of seconds I committed the first cardinal sin, I was not making the hot chocolate like Rich. I thought Braden's world was coming to an end when he saw me take the milk out of the fridge. He screamed, "No!" "Daddy uses water!" About this time I informed Braden and Brooke that they had to leave the kitchen, and I would call them when I was ready for them to make the snowmen; I quickly slipped the milk, a few Hershey kisses, and the hot chocolate mix into a cup. I popped it in the microwave and called the unsuspecting little Daddy worshipers in to make the snowmen and enjoy. As I sat back and watched them sip hungrily, I thought, 'that's right, I can make hot chocolate too!'

Emma's first tooth

Well, today I discovered Emma's first tooth; I guess now I know why she has been so incredibly fussy the last couple weeks.

Weekend in South Carolina

Well, every year Conway has a Christmas parade the second Saturday in December; I loved going to the parade as a child: hoping that candy would be thrown my way, watching to see if I saw any of my friends in the parade, and enjoying the show. I of course want to share this same tradition with my own children, so Rich and I headed back to Conway this past weekend. Saturday morning we went to the parade; it was so nice being in Conway again and watching the parade. I think Brooke and Braden liked getting the candy the most. Emma enjoyed the bands and the music the most; she started bopping up and down every time she heard it. Rich however spent most of the time playing games on his crackberry, except when the shriners were driving their crazy little cars around. Saturday afternoon Rich and I met Amanda and Paul at the river walk, so I could take some engagement pictures for them (see the blog post beneath this one). I think they got some good ones to choose from; I just hope they feel the same. Saturday night Elizabeth and Daddy watched all 3 children, so Rich and I could actually have a date. It was heavenly! Rich and I went out to eat and to see Enchanted, which was really a cute movie. My favorite part of the date was that I had Rich all to myself for 4 glorious hours; we laughed, we talked, and we squeezed in some kissing, but the best part was that there were absolutely NO interruptions! Sunday I went to church with Elizabeth, while Rich stayed home with our 3 sickly children; Braden, Brooke, and Emma were all sick by Sunday morning, and Braden and Emma had fevers. Sunday afternoon Amanda and Paul came over to Elizabeth's house, where we ate lunch, took some more pictures, went through some Christmas decorations, and enjoyed each other's company. It was a great weekend, and fun was had by all!

Pictures of the Lovebirds

As you may or may not know, my younger brother Paul got engaged to Amanda Stalvey on November 19, and the two lovebirds asked if I would take some engagement pictures for them; here are some of the ones I especially liked. I will add more later, because in addition to the ones I took with the digital camera, I also took two rolls of film the old school tried and true way; I hope you enjoy them! I really hope Paul and Amanda like the job I did, especially since Paul has asked me to take some on the big day as well; wish me luck!

Messy Messy Girl

One thing anyone can say about my sweet Emma is, 'That girl can eat!' These days Emma not only can eat, but she wants to feed herself, which leads to, you guessed it, A MESS! Here are some pictures that prove my point. I made Chicken Parmesan and some lemon spaghetti, and she couldn't get enough of the spaghetti or the cornbread muffins Rich made. As you can tell from the picture, she is covered with more than spaghetti; she had a jar of baby food and then attacked the spaghetti. She was one happy, content, and very dirty baby when supper was over. Why didn't I put a bib on her? I ask myself that same question when I look at these pictures; oh well, the damage has been done, and luckily they make stain removers for just these times.

Emma getting her eat on.

"What me devour everything you put in front of me?!" "I'm sure I have no idea what you are talking about?"

Rich attempting to de-crumbify Emma.

She looks like a totally different child

I don't know why, but tonight Brooke decided she wanted to have straight hair. I guess she just wanted to see what it would be like, so she and I plugged in my trusty straightener, heated that sucker up, and got to work. It was amazing how different she looked with straight hair. All night I caught her looking in the mirror and touching it. Braden I think also couldn't believe the transformation, because his little hands kept being drawn to her hair; I heard several times, "Mama, Braden is touching my straight hair." Here is a picture of my transformed girl; don't you think she looks so different?!