New Year's Eve

We rang in the New Year at my brother's house. I'm not sure who came up with this fun game, but I don't recommend it to others. My brother had all the little ones line up and take turns jumping on his stomach. They were all so excited about this and could never wait for their turn. Then my two older nephews got in on the fun, and Chase (who is almost 12) was the springboard for Hunter (who is 14). They would stand on Chase and then jump on Hunter!! After they were finished with that, they all took animal rides on my brother. Since Carter's birthday is at the end of this month, we also celebrated his birthday since we probably won't get to see everyone again for a while. We played lots of games, watched TV, and had a great time ringing in 2009 with each other!!

Carter with my brother's cat. He absolutely loves cats and wants one so bad, but Donnie and I unfortunately do not share his love!

Carter getting an animal ride on my brother

Ethan jumping on my brother

Theron jumping on his 2 older brothers

Carter celebrating his birthday

A family picture

Just the kiddos

Chrisi is reading all the kids a story before bedtime.

Our Christmas Vacation

We had originally planned on leaving for our trip the day after Christmas (which was a Friday). Donnie was going to work a few hours in the morning, and then when he got home we were going to head to Louisville. Well, on Christmas Day he decided that he didn't need to go in on Friday and suggested that since we didn't have anything holding us here, we could leave Christmas Day. So, I hurried to pack for me and the boys, tried to straighten up what I could, take care of a few things (like pay some bills and stop the mail) since we would be gone for almost 2 weeks. We got dressed and loaded up the van and were off.

Our first stop was Louisville, KY to visit Donnie's family. It is about a 5&1/2 hour drive. We stayed there until Saturday, and then drove to my mom and dad's in Washington, PA. From Louisville that is a 6 hour drive. We stayed there until Tuesday, and then went to my sister's house in Columbus, OH. We only stayed there one night and went to my brother's house in Cincinnati, OH for New Year's Eve. New Year's Day we went to Lexington, KY to visit Donnie's brother. We stayed there one night and then went back to Louisville on Friday to see his mom and step-dad again. And that is where we stayed until Sunday when we finally came back home to Memphis.

It was a lot of traveling, but so great to spend that much time with family. My sister (and her 3 boys) were at my mom and dad's the whole time we were there, and went to my brother's for New Year's Eve with us, too. My boys love to spend time with their cousins!! They also got to spend a lot of time with their cousins in KY! I was so impressed at how well Ethan and Carter held up considering how many different beds they had to sleep in and all that driving. My mother-in-law got them each a Leapster 2 for Christmas, so that really helped to keep them occupied in the car!!

In Louisville with Grandma and Grandpa Darell

Theron and Ethan with my mom at her house

Theron, Ethan, and Carter playing dress-up at my sister Chrisi's house

Christmas Morning

A few pictures from Christmas morning... All Carter wanted was Wall-E toys, and Santa delivered!! The first day back to school after break, he walked in with his Wall-E crocs and new Wall-E shirt on, a Wall-E backpack, Wall-E lunchbox, Wall-E blanket, Wall-E pillow, and Wall-E stuffed animal for rest time!!! Ethan got some stuffed animals, a Spongebob rocket lego set, and Mario Super Smash Bros. for the Wii. Santa hid the Wii and he opened his game before he found the Wii (which was a family gift). He was really confused that Santa gave him a game for the Wii, but no Wii. He was very relieved when he found it behind the tree!!!

Ethan got a Crossbow from Daddy

Lost in a sea of Wall-E!!

Checking out the stocking stuffers

Mario Super Smash Bros.

The Wii!!!

Christmas Eve

Here are a couple of pictures taken on Christmas Eve. I used to love Christmas Eve when I was a little girl, and it's so much fun to experience that excitement again through my boys!!

Sprinkling reindeer food on the lawn (If you click on the pictue to make it bigger, you can see the food Ethan is throwing!)









Santa was here!!!