Christmas at our house

We hosted Christmas late lunch at our house this year...thanksgoodness Mom and Carla helped out with the food. It was a fun time had by all....

Carson about to chow down still in his PJ's.
Gage sporting his new Superman muscle shirt.

picking up wrapping paper....

Mac got some really cute books...just what his mom and dad wanted for him.

Me and my 3 favorite little boys!

Gage opening up some G-Force guinea pigs from GG.

Christmas Morning

I love Christmas morning!

Carson got a ramp for his bicycle.

Toby got this stinking cute Turbo Turtle.
Gage got a scooter but was way more excited about his tub of bubble gum!

Toby's favorites were the sunglasses and Nemo phone.

Lots of fun...

For Santa...

Chocolate chip cookies and cold milk for Santa. Gage was so pumped the next morning that Santa actually ate the cookies and drank the milk. (I loved hearing him tell everyone about it)

Carson's Gifts

Carson had the opportunity at Magnolia Speech School to purchase Christmas gifts for our family. I thought it was a great idea. It was be a perfect time on Christmas Eve when we do something special with Brad's parents at our house. So I send $7.00 for 7 gifts. He picked them out at the "store", bought them with his money, and even wrapped them at school. (Magnolia goes to dollar stores and purchases things that would be a bought at the "store." - great idea huh?)

He was so excited for it to be Christmas Eve so he could give out his special gifts to us. It was great and so much fun for him. I want him (and all my boys) that it is not all about receiving...giving is so much more fun!

All of his gifts...he even wrote the "to and from".

He gave Daddy a pair of work gloves.
Gage and Toby got trucks.

Nana got a very pretty candle.

Slick got an awesome screwdriver!

And I got a pretty candle and flower dish.

It was a fun Christmas Eve seeing what Carson picked out for everyone!

Family Photos

I am all about taking cheesy group family pictures each Christmas...so here are this years! I cherish every one that I have. Just fun to have them up during the year to look at.

My Crew...

Brad's Bunch!

Magnolia Christmas Program

One of my most favorite days of the year is the Magnolia Christmas Program. It just warms my heart to see all of the children who by prayers, technology, and Magnolia Speech School can SPEAK and HEAR! It is just amazing and will just give you goosebumps all over if you ever attend a performance. I tear up everytime I go to one...you just can't help it.

One of my friends now has a child that also attends. Liza and I had a great time catching up for about an hour and a half before the performance started. You must get there early to get a good seat. It was great to have her (and her husband) sitting there behind us getting to experience the whole thing too! I went to check out what Carson's class was doing and just as I was getting there...Santa was too! It was fun to get some cute pictures of the class while Santa gave them all presents and also Ms. Addie got pictures with all of the on Santa's lap.

The whole class...Ms. Denice, Lain, Carson, Ms. Jessica, Demarrius, Cameron, Jonathan, and Freddie.

Avery is the cute bunny in the middle and Hunter is the little sheep.

Caiden did great on his speaking part..."STAR!"

Carson came out just cheesing it! It was great. He did such a good job on his solo too. Tears were just running down my cheeks as I was trying to video tape it.

Singing Happy Birthday Jesus. (a Magnolia Speech School tradition)

Carson's Solo in Big Church

Carson was asked to sing the 2nd verse of O Come All Ye Faithful this morning during big church. I was so nervous for him...he wasn't...he did great! I know it made Jesus' heart happy hearing Carson's voice. Just a short 2 1/2 years ago he didn't do much talking at all, but thanks to Magnolia Speech School, many prayers, and hard work...we were all blessed to hear him sing a solo in big church!

Mission Friends Christmas Program

We have fun! Jennifer, Me, Julie, Sydney, Candace, and Melissa are the brave souls that teach 2, 3, 4, and 5 year old mission friends...challenging yes, but sooooo rewarding and fun! We had our Christmas program last night during prayer meeting...it was an experience!

4 and 5 year olds
They spelled out Christmas and said a poem with it.

Carson and Crosby and "T: is for tidings of great new and joy" and they did a great job!

O...the 2 and 3 year olds were quiet the performers. They sang "I'm a little mission friend" to the tune of "I'm a little teapot." It's sorta a tradition with our class...a classic. Then they said their Bible verse "God grew in mind and strength and was loved by everyone" Luke 2:52 And we lost them when we started..."if you're happy and you know it."

"if you're happy and you know it then your face will surely show it...."

Meeting Santa 2009!

After we went to Chick-Fil-A we headed over to Northpark Mall to visit with Santa. I wondered how my 3 would do. Alicia and her 3 babies were with us too. We had a fun time and it was a quick visit with not much of a line at all. Santa was different this year. We've had the same Santa in our pictures since Carson was born. But the Santa from Colorado wanted too much money for his contract...so they found one in Byram!

Alicia and Kalli

Brad took them all up there so I could get some shots of the boys. Plus I knew Toby would do better with Brad that clingy to me. It was such the experience...
Carson and Gage did great. Toby...well...not so great! He is checking Santa out huh?

Ok...Toby is NOT thrilled at the fact that he is having to sit in a strangers lap!

Colt was quite the character. He calls me "mom" and Alicia and I just crack up when he does. I love this little guy. He would say "hey mom...watch this" and he would make this funny face.

Goodies from Joan

Today we received a "goodie" box from Joan. How fun!

Everyone ready to tear into it...
Ready, Set, Go...once again...how fun!

Joan, Toby loved his elephant. He kept wanting to hug and kiss it.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. What a fun gift to open! You are too special to me and my boys. I am so thankful that we are so close. love you, Amy