Christmas 2013

Christmas was wonderful this year. WE were able to spend lots of time with family and were able to celebrate Jesus' birth with those that we love. `The kids are loving singing "Happy birthday" to Jesus on Christmas Eve, and I am so thankful that it is a tradition that my parents started with us. We were all sick on Christmas Eve with colds, so didn't do all the visiting that we had planned but still it was nice. We did go to the Christmas Eve service at our church, and we had dinner at my parents, and typically a large party is planned but my mom called everyone to say we wouldn't be doing the big party as our family was sick and she didn't want to expose everyone. I was happy to be able to be out and not be home and not spending time with our family. Christmas Day was wonderful. The kids were thrilled with their gifts. We were so blessed this year by the generosity of some wonderful people. My parents as well as one of my husbands co-workers helped us get gifts for the kids this year. I can't even begin to tell you how blessed we were to receive these gifts. Each of the kids got one special gift that they were really really hoping for. Sophia got an American girl doll and was beyond excited. She also got clothing for her doll and some lip gloss and clothing. Sam got a snow board and legos that he had really wanted. Preston got this sweet little Mickey chair that he absolutely is thrilled about. And little miss Paisley got Sophia the Giraffe which she is loving chewing on.

Wildwood Farm

When was a teenager I worked at a beautiful farm and I LOVED it!!! It is a horse farm, but back then they also had cows, a few pigs and some other animals. It was such a fun job and so rewarding. In the fall every year they had a farm stand at which they sold things like apples, pumpkins, corn stalks and fall decorations. So fun! Anyways ever since I was a kid we make a trip to the farm at least once each fall to spend the day, picking pumpkins and experiencing the beautiful scenery. This fall was no exception.... This little white pony is named Sugar. And he has been there since I work there. He is almost 18 years old. Preston and Sophia absolutely adored him. Preston bent over next to his face every time he wanted to talk to him. It was so funny! Wow attempts at family pictures are getting more and more difficult. It was so funny when we were trying to take these photos. Preston was trying to eat a crab apple, Sam and Sophia thought it was the funniest thing ever. Paisley was hungry and I was desperately trying to keep her not screaming for the picture. I am so blessed to have grown up in such a loving, fun, Christian home. My parents have been married for more than 33 years and they still laugh often. They raised us to love and respect each other and others. They taught us to be kind and giving. They taught us to work hard and to earn what we have. They told us to do everything to the best of our ability. I LOVE that my parents are so close and we can see them so often. Unfortunately my dad didn't join us at the farm this time but my sister Deanna and her husband TJ joined us. Deanna and TJ are expecting their first child Noah, in December. I a cousins around for the kids to play with. There is a huge old tree at the farm with a great tire swing. The kids and Matt had a blast playing on it. I laughed so hard when the kids twisted the swing up so tight and Matt was spinning in circles. He was so dizzy when he got off :-)