Christmas Recap

Now that the tree is down and I've swept up 3 dustpans of dead needles I thought I might do a quick Christmas recap.

Every year we do the kids pic with Santa. We did it growing up and it was so fun to look at the difference a year makes. Of course we tend to forget until like the day before Christmas and end up in an hour line with all of Knoville's other procrastinators. But it's worth it! I hate how Hunter looks like a "big boy" in this photo. He's changing before my very eyes into a little preschooler. I miss that chunky little face & blond shaggy curls. Good thing I've got another one to kiss on who I think may have declared on being a baby for life. The kid REFUSES to walk. As in he won't even try. I mean he can. He cruises around the furniture all day long but he has no interet in going mobile. I think he knows he's got it good being the baby & milking it for all it's worth. That's okay, his mama kinda likes it. :)

By the time Christmas is all said & done we have Christmas at 4 different houses. Don't worry I'm not blogging about all of them. In fact, I don't even have that many photos. I think by the time I chase around 3 kids I often forget to pick up my camera. But we did have a wonderful Christmas & we are VERY blessed.

These are from the Stanley Christmas. Two traditions take place at the Stanleys every year: Seafood is served & MANY stories are told. These two are from the story telling hours. And even though we hear the same stories every year they never get old. I think they actually get funnier. You try raising four crazy sons & you'd have some good stories too!

This is one from our Christmas morning. Every Christmas morning David reads The Innkeeper by John Piper. It's an advent poem he wrote for his church.

Of course there was lots of gifts, food, and chaos. Thanks to all of our family for all the wonderful gifts. Toys are overflowing from every corner!

My little helpers My little helpers

The kiddos decided the other day they wanted to lend me a hand and help around the house. (You know your house must be dirty when the kids start volunteering for chores!) Of course at 4, 2, & 1 they weren't a whole lot of help but they were enjoying it so much I couldn't stop them. Washing the dishes was by far their favorite chore.

Really, it's irrelevant that there was more water on the floor than in the sink. And only one cup got broke. It's all about the memory, right? I'm sure in 20 years when I look back at these I'll think it was a perfect little moment. :)

Those cute little hineys. (Umm, yes, Anna Kate's pants are on backwards...)

Even Fred got a bath. See that teddy bear Judd is holding? Anna Kate picked him out of a toy bin at a Christmas event we attended. Juddso has claimed total attachment to him. Whether he is eating, sleeping, or playing he has a tight grasp on little Fred. (Name curteous of his big bro & sis.)

While I don't think I'll be handing over dish duty anytime soon they sure were adorable...and soaked!

Ringing in 2010

Dinah turned 60 right after Christmas. We had a chance to throw her a surprise party at an Italian resturant in town. Here she is being "surprised." It was a sweet night to honor such a Godly woman. She is a joy to us all!

We went with Chad a Bec to a cabin in Gburg for two nights to ring in the New Year. Let's just say with 7 kids we didn't get to wild & crazy. We woke up New Years day to a beautiful white landscape. The kids were excited to go out & play.

I think this is Reese's "frozen" look. I could photograph her all day. She is so adorable - even with breakfast still on her face. :)

Mom, I think this must be Anna Kate's Florida genes coming out. Who draws a sunshine in the snow?

She must have been missing her Mimi.

A day on the farm

A few weeks ago we went to down to Dayton for a family gathering on the farm.

It started out with a little tackle football.

Then we went on a hayride. I think the noise and the jolt of the tractor scared Juddson. Look at that sad face! It didn't last long.

Sweet Savannah. I still can't believe she just turned 10.

This boy earned the name "Poo-Poo Hunter" by the time the day was over. I'll spare you the details.

But a farm with cow poo + a rambunctious 2 year-old can equal a mess!

Halloween Night

I'm catching up on some blogging. I realized I never posted the pics from Halloween. So here is a quick recap.

Here are the boys. It was raining but they were riding in style. I think they figured it was worth getting wet.

Obi Wan Kenobi (aka - Jake)

Anakin Skywalker (aka - Hunter)

Buzz Lightyear (Christian, a friend that we went with)

You can see our little Wookie in the back (aka - Juddson)

Reesie-pie, the cutest cat you have ever seen.

The girls were hilarious. Despite the rain they rain from door-to-door collecting their goods. And boy did they rack up!

Meet Dorothy (Rylee), an adorable Cheetah (Ansley), and Princess Leia (Anna Kate).

Even Jacks got in on the fun. Well, no candy. But he looked cute. :)

Your favorite smiling faces.

I had a chance to take some family photos of Kent and Allison's family a few weeks ago. Hopefully we got a good one for a Christmas card. But in between the family shots I took a few of the kiddos. So here are some updated portraits of these cute kiddos.

Cades Coves

We went to Cades Coves a few weeks ago. It was fun and beatiful. We saw a ton of deer.

We hopped out and took some pictures