Let the sunshine IN!!!!!

The Sandbox

My GIRLS....in their CASTLE!!!

Even the ROOSTER joined in on the fun!

Today we enjoyed some wonderful outdoor time in the SUN!!!! What a blessing!!!! I can see that Morgan is not going to follow but JOIN in on the outdoor fun!!!! I am preparing myself for SPRING!!!!

What have we been up too?????

My little jumping beans......

Daddy's homemade biscuits.....a real treat for the tummy!!!!

This past weekend I attended a Women's Wonder Full World Retreat with our church. There were 70 women ranging in ages from 21 to 85. It as a blast!!!! I had a hard time being away from my angels.....and was sooo glad to get home...but overall it was a great retreat for this mama. I left out Saturday morning at 6:45am and returned Sunday at 3:30pm. What a blessing it was to drive down the driveway with my family excited to see me return!!!! The kids didn't skip a beat though...their daddy took great care of them and they had a blast making biscuits, playing at McDonalds, and riding their cars!!!

Sisters in action......fast forward 16 years from now....I will be one exhausted mama trying to keep up.....let's just say I will spend many a day/night on my knees!

And this is how we are spending out January.....anticipating warmer weather for sure!!!!!

Feeling the sunshine....

Finally....a picnic in the sun!!!!

Pizza Night

We decided to make our own pizzas....after all, that is what you do when Mama gets a new Pampered Chef Stone....oh, and Maddy has a new recipe! :)

A Eufaula Christmas......

Fun times at Nana and Poppy's......

What a great celebration it was.....we celebrated our Family Christmas on New Year's Weekend. Those in attendance were Uncle Jeremy and our soon to be Aunt Lauren, Jeb, Lacy, Emma, Ella and the newest Jones, Edee! Mamaw was also there along with Nana and Poppy! There were gifts everywhere but the greatest gift of all was watching the cousins interact and play.....they are all at such an awesome age!!! Emma is so mature and helpful, Ella and Thomas and Maddy played and fought and played and laughed till they couldn't go anymore....fun stuff! Morgan and Edee were the wee angels that have blessed us most recently.....and Jeremy and Lauren got a good taste of what awaits them! The siblings got some great bonding time in and then guys got to hunt (oh, and Emma too!)

I truly count my blessings when I look at the family Shannon and I have from both sides.....our angels are sooo blessed with sooo much love!!!!! Thank you Nana and Poppy for all the gifts....but most of all thank you for your generous LOVE!!!!

Morgan biting into Thomas' new log truck!

Maddy excited about her dress up magnetic doll and clothes!

Thomas was truly the envy of the group with his new tools....he was ready to help anyone needing a little assistance opening gifts!

We also want to say a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to Nana and Poppy for our Mobigo's and games.....we are slowly figuring them out....but look forward to the learning that is to come!!!!!

Happy Birthday Baby Jesus......

Oh...and Santa came to town!

Boy oh boy....we must have really been good this year......

Thomas and Maddy's new rides.....

Even Morgan got a set of wheels!

Maddy and Morgan in the "blue" jeep.....

Thomas styling in the "black" jeep......

Thank you Santa......How awesome it is to celebrate Jesus' Birthday!!!!!

Christmas in Valley

We are sooo blessed to have such loving and generous family! This does not even touch on the many gifts the angels received this Christmas....but this highlights a few from our Valley Christmas events. We also received various music toys, books...lots of books, stuffed animals, silly singing animals, a cool guitar from Aunt Stacey and Amy, and more....fun fun!!!! Hope you enjoy the pictures!!!!

Thomas and Maddy received a new grill to add to their kitchen....here is Maddy showing off a tasty new burger fresh from the grill :)

Nonnie gave us a wonderful new piano that we all love and enjoy!!! Morgan is already asking for professional lessons ;)

This is one of the super cool gifts that Thomas got for Christmas......boy can it shoot a Nerf dart far!!!!

This was taken just before we left for Great-Grandmama's on Christmas Day......We had a busy and messy day ahead but boy oh boy was it fun!!!!!

Hot Wheels Playdate!!!!

Our buddy Piper joined us for an afternoon of riding....fun times!!!!

Santa thought we were GOOD!!!!

Cars, Cars, and more Cars......

The Merry Go Round.....

A Valley Tradition.......

Christmas Angels.....

Sisterly Love.....

Maddy and Santa......

All three angels....this was harder than it looks....note the watery eyes on Maddy. Pictures are getting more difficult to take but boy do we treasure the shots we get. These were taken before church today......What a blessing these angels are to us!!!!

Mommy's Helpers......

I don't know if there has ever been a little girl that loves to help mommy as much as Maddy......however, she can get a bit distracted......

When buttering the rolls for dinner......she decided to take a bite, and another bite, and another bite.......um, Maddy....that isn't cookie icing sweetheart!!!!

Such my little helper! :)

Trip to see Santa.....

So....what do you do on the Saturday before Christmas....the rainy, cold, windy Saturday before Christmas. The busy shopping day when everybody decides to dash out and grab those last minute gifts......well, we decided to jump in feet first. At the last minute we grabbed our shoes and headed to Columbus for some adventure.

First stop....haircuts. We thought it might be helpful to try a new place with cool chairs and kid friendly decor....nope...Thomas still screamed as usual!
Both Thomas and Maddy loved the cars when not getting their hair cut!

Then it was lunch.....Oh Chickfila....how we love thee! It has been forever since I've been in a mall food court......actually I think it was this time last year......we just don't get to the mall very often :0

Here is Maddy...patiently waiting for her cookie!

And then there was Santa......they were ready....they knew what they were going to say....we practiced and everything....only to have Thomas and Maddy run! Morgan could have stayed all day I think....but needless to say, we had to go!

All in all it was a great family day together.....a day I would not trade for anything!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!

War Eagle Baby!!!!