Christmas 2008

We were able to celebrate Christmas early with our cousins from Paragould, AR this year. They were expecting Raeven's sister's baby to be born in December so we got to have them up to see us early. I decorated for Christmas so that the house would look right when they came. It is also easier for me to decorate early before the realization that we are going to have to do Christmas again hits me. We had so much fun with them. The kids picked up right where they left off at the lake a few months ago. I wish they could spend more time together.

My brother was able to come up and spend 2 days with us. We missed him at Thanksgiving so we were grateful for anytime he was able to spend with us. He cooked almost the whole time. The kids LOVE his speghetti. He is required to make it at each visit. We all went to my cousin, Scott and Wendi's, house on Christmas Eve. We have spent that night in that house since I was born I think. It is so full of memories for all of us. The kids are older now so the evening is more pleasant. The kids play very well together and are never ready to leave when it is time.

Alaina got a porcelain egg with a dancer inside that spins while music is played. She collects music boxes and snowglobes. This one was so delicate and pretty. She also got a cupcake maker and was sooo very excited. We made several cupcakes during the rest of the day. So very cute. I think she made one for everyone. The rest of her Christmas was either Hanna Montana or High School Musical 3 related. Wow! Little girls have so many more cute things now than when I was little. It is hard not to spoil her rotten. She is just so cute.

Cale received an Alabama bedding set. Obviously Santa thought it would be funny to bring that crap into my house. He was so excited. It was hard to tell my nasty it was, but I did. He held it up and chanted about how Alabama was better than Auburn. Really nice. He has enjoyed a game called me2 more than just about anything. He ran 30 laps around the island in the kitchen just to get enough points to play a game. It is a neat concept. We'll see how it works long term. The mp3 players were a huge hit as well. I am hoping that car trips will be easier if they are occupied.

Snowday!

Today is 12/1/08. I cannot believe that we have snow already. It started yesterday morning while we were feeding the baby calves. The boys are enjoying it.

Thanksgiving was nice. We spent Thursday with my family in Bentonville. My cousin's wife, Wendi, made everything imaginable for us to eat. It was so nice. The boys played games and the girls searched the black friday ads and developed strategies for getting all the stuff we "needed". The kids and I stayed until after dinner then came home to feed calves. Friday - BLACK FRIDAY - was crazy. I met a friend at Wal-Mart in Fayetteville so I could get a bike for Braden. The price was just too good to stay in bed and sleep. I'll sleep later. We filled our carts and struggled to get to the check-out. It was so crazy! We went to Penny's, and Toys r us but we couldn't get in so we went to Starbucks to wait out the line. Finally I had to go home to cook for lunch so she went on without me. Lunch at Jason's aunt's house was equally amazing. Jason was an hour and a half late for lunch so the rest of us were finished by the time he got there. We watched the hogs somehow pull-out a victory against LSU. What a game! Too bad my luck in football didn't hold for the rest of the weekend. The Auburn/alabama game was disgusting. I heard all about it at church on Sunday. Glad it is just a game - sure feel sorry for those people who take it personally - ha ha. Saturday was a full day of football and cleaning any part of the house that I could still hear/watch the tv from. I LOVE college football!!! (even when my team has a bad year)

This is our last day before school starts back and we are going to stay inside and stay warm - or at least I am. This is also my Dad's birthday - Happy Birthday Dad!