YAY- I'm all caught up!

Well, I have sat on the couch with my laptop for about 2 1/2 hours updating the blog! I get so far behind that it takes me a long time to actually get caught up! So......one of my New Year's Resolutions is to be better about updating! Wish me luck!

Christmas at Grandmothers

One of the many dress up outfits she got!
Just sitting around talking!

JuJu giving more stocking stuffers!

Sorting through it all!

We always go to my Grandmothers Christmas night. As far back as I can remember, that is where I have been on Christmas night. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. We had a great time. It was nice to sit and talk to everyone, catch up and see Roby's kids. They are all growing so much!

Christmas at LaLa and Papa's

LaLa and Papa with all the grandkids
Roger and I with our families

LaLa and Papa opening gifts

Josh and Tanner opening gifts

Emma helping with Baby Kyndal!

We always eat lunch at mom and dads on Christmas Day. It is fun to get together and see baby Kyndal! I love getting to spend time with her. She is soooooo sweet!

Santa Came part 2

After the kids went through all their gifts, this is what it looked like! The boys wouldn't get off the DS and we had to make sugar cookies with the Easy Bake! Lala and Papa always come for breakfast and see what Santa brought! So........Lala could help with the baking!

Santa Came!

Santa Came!! He delivered all the goodies that the kids ask for. Josh and Tanner only wanted a DS and some clothes, Emma wanted an Easy Bake Oven and bouncy balls! I love seeing their faces glow on Christmas morning! It is so magical!

Somewhere in NC

On the way home we kept passing areas of ice. Josh loved the large icicles. So..........as soon as we found one on our side of the road, I pulled over so he could go look at it up close. Emma wouldn't get out of the van and Tanner stayed in Knoxville until Wed. and came back with Jenn. But it was a great picture of Josh!

Visiting The Wooten's in Knoxville

Emma always posing!
Lunch at Calhouns on the River

Feeding the ducks! Mommy and Emma--freezing!

The kids and I took a trip to Knoxville for a few days to visit Jennifer and Braxton (Brian too!). I miss her so much! She was one of my closest friends. We had plans to go to Dollywood and Ice Skating, but it never got above 19 degrees, so...........we just hung out and didn't do a whole lot! It was so cold that your body ached! It was so nice to see them, and we hope to take a trip again soon!

Candy Cane Lane

Emma as the Angel
Tanner- as love

Josh as Mark
Mommy- as one of the leaders!
Daddy- the power point dude!

The children's program at the church was titled "Candy Cane Lane" It talked about the feeding our hungry hearts with some soul food- faith, hope and love! It was a great testimony of Christ's love!

Christmas at Mema and Papa's

Poor Taylor and Amanda- the kids wouldn't leave them alone!

Mema and Papa opening their gifts!

Mema and Papa with all their children!


Taylor and his two shadows

Papa and Emma

Tonight we had our Christmas get together at Mema and Papa's. Everyone was there and it was so nice to have everyone together. Lots of food, fun, and gifts!

Ringing the Bell

Jennifer LeCroy and I signed up to ring the bell at Wal-Mart today. I brought the kids with me and I think we got more money on our shift then anyone! The sweet girl in the red coat did it! Everyone stopped to say how sweet she looked, and then they handed her the money to drop in the bucket! It was great!

Kyndal's Baby Dedication

Today Roger and Alison had the baby dedication service for Kyndal. Their pastor did a great job and it was very sweet and special! It was nice to have both families there to support them!

Picture with Santa

We went to Roper Mountain to see the lights and stopped for a visit with Santa! It was a great picture! Gotta make sure that Santa knows what we want!

Easley Christmas Parade

Today we went to the Christmas parade. We were going to sit with Heather and Mady, but before we knew it, we had several families from church there too! We had a great time watching the parade with all of our friends!

Christmas Card- 2008

After 30 minutes and 42 shots, we finally got a great picture! We wanted to go to Aunt Robin and Uncle Travis' house for their new outdoor scenes, but the weather would not cooperate with us on Saturdays. So........we just did it in their Christmas pajamas in front of the tree!

TPC Christmas Lock-In

For the kid's Christmas party, the church hosted a lock-in. Thanks to Lawrence and Paige, the kids had a blast until about 3am, then slept briefly and then back up for a pancake breakfast! Thanks guys for helping the kids make wonderful memories at church!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving at Grandmothers with Papa Steve and JuJu! We only see them a few times a year, but we love them!

Thanksgiving at the Leisten's-2008

We always host Thanksgiving at our house- it's my parents, Lawrence's parents, his sister and her family, and his brother. We have a great time and WAY TOO MUCH FOOD! We made a list of all the things we were thankful for--everyone wrote something they were thankful for. Happy Turkey Day!

Wedding Anniversary Trip

Our 13th Anniversary!
We saw a moma bear with her 2 baby cubs on the side of the road!

Cade's Cove-lots and LOTS of deer

One of the old houses at Cade's Cove!

The icy road on the way to New Found Gap!

We took a trip for our Anniversary to Gatlinburg! We had a great time. We shopped most of the day on Saturday and were back at our hotel resting by 7:30. On Sunday, we drove up to Cade's Cove. The animals are everwhere--bear, deer, turkeys and much more! It was beautiful!

Grading Papers

I couldn't resist taking this picture of my ladies working on grading their papers! Emma would not let Toshia be the only one getting things done. I think she is a little like her mommy... ;-)

National Elementary Honor Society

Our school is one of the first school's to have the National Elementary Honor Society. They honored only 5th graders. Joshua was nominated and we are very proud!

LaLa and Papa

Lala and Papa with all their grandbabies: Josh, Tanner, Emma, and Kyndal!

Halloween 2008

For Halloween we went to the Looper's for soup and trick or treating in Westchester! We had a blast! We saw lots of friends and enjoyed having a good time with friends! Joshua was a pregnant woman (haha), Tanner was a football player (imagine that!) and Emma was a kitty cat!