Christmas 2008

Our tree before the boys attacked it!

Keyton has wanted these forever!   Santa is nicer than Mommy!

Garrison LOVES LOVES LOVES this!

Santa brought this for BOTH of them!   

They said they would like to sleep in it tonight!

This gun makes real sounds!

His very OWN first aid kit!

The boys thought he needed a new hammer!

This is all I asked for:  Nintendo DS  w/  BrainAge!   

I got more though! :-) 

The boys had soooo much fun opening all of their cool gifts!   Keyton said this was the best Christmas ever!   Garrison couldn't stop looking at his new tractor that Santa left for him!  He even opened some of his presents while sitting on it! Keyton got all kinds of new "big boy" gadgets!  He can't wait to try out his new Laser Tag and Night Vision Goggles!   Garrison is excited to get his tractor outside and drive and he is already trying out his "real" laptop!  I still haven't seen my living room floor yet!  I'm sure it is there...we will get to it eventually!   Christmas is so much fun!   

Our new guest...

They could hardly wait to open this box!!!

They loved the little elf...so cute!!!

We are so excited to have a guest in our house.  He is one of Santa's elves and he will be staying with us until Christmas Eve! He came to our house complete with a book telling of his duties.   See, this little elf, which my boys named Snowy, sits in our house and watches the boys.  He flies off to the North Pole every night and reports to Santa.  He tells Santa if they were good or bad.   Each morning when we wake up, he will be in a different location in our house and it is our job it try and find him!   On Christmas eve, he goes back to the North Pole with Santa. However, Snowy will return to our house each year around Christmas time because he is OUR special elf! The boys are super excited and have been showering him with hugs and kisses!   They cannot wait to see where he is in the morning!   The book is very cool because it has a place in the back to record what year your started this family tradition and you can register your elf's name online in the elf database!  I am excited to have started a new family tradition with my boys!   

Snowmen

The last-minute creation!

Keyton enjoying it...yum-o!

Garrison enjoying it...yum-o!

Since we didn't really get enough snow to make a snowman...this morning we had the next best thing!   I made the boys snowman pancakes!   I don't know why, but the idea struck me as soon as I woke up. I often do different things when I make pancakes.  So, this morning we had SNOWMEN!!!  The kids were so excited!   They turned out okay but I wish I had M&M's to use as the eyes and mouth...the chocolate syrup was a little runny!   They really enjoyed the piece of Starburst I used for the nose!     I just had to use what I had!   It didn't  matter what it was made of...the boys absolutely loved them!   They said I had "good ideas!" That is something every mommy needs to hear!   

We LOVE snow days!!!

My boys love the snow!!!

Keyton

Garrison

Keyton & the shovel...

Garrison & the rake...

We LOVE snow days at the DOWDY house!!!  The boys got so excited when they saw the snow falling last night.   As soon as they woke up, they looked out to make sure it was still here!  Then they immediately begged to go play in it for a little while! So...I bundled them up and we went out for as long as we could stand it...IT IS SO COLD!!!!   Brr! They had fun throwing snow at me and using their shovel and rake in the snow.   I love getting to spend the whole day at home with my boys! I don't know who gets more excited about these snow days...the kids or us teachers......hmmmm.....probably teachers!  :-)

Cute sight...

Dana & Keyton were zoned in...Garrison sensed my presence

Tonight the boys went to the basement and were waiting on Dana to take a shower and come down and play with them.  Dana got out of the shower and came through the house and said "Rudolph is on!"   Dana LOVES when those old cartoons some on each year.  He says it takes him back to his childhood.  I always remember loving it when they came on as well.  I actually bought the Rudolph & Frosty DVD's for him last year.  Still yet...he says it is better when they actually come on the TV. So...he yelled for the boys to come upstairs and watch a "special show" with him.  At first they complained because they were deep in the middle of playing.  However, they gave in, snuggled up with him, and enjoyed the show!  I had to capture it on camera.  It was a sweet moment seeing my three guys glued to the TV watching about those magical reindeer! Garrison said he loved those reindeer and Keyton wanted to know how they were able to fly! Dana was just content watching the show!   Ahhh...the simple things in life!

Our Christmas Card...

This is our Christmas card for the year.  It showcases some of my many favorite pictures of our family beach trip!   I am loving the brown and blue together.  It is one of my favorite color combinations!   We have so much to be thankful for during the holiday season.  We all should try to remember to be thankful all year long and not just during the last few months of the year.  I know that my family has faced many struggles over the last few years.  They have definitely made me realize what are the important things in life!  I am so very blessed to be able to call the 3 wonderful guys in this Christmas card MY guys!   I love my family!   

"LEAVE" it to the boys...

After eating Thanksgiving dinner at Aggies the other day, all of her little grandsons decided to play in the leaves.  Jerry raked them into a pile and they hopped right in!  They had a great time playing in them with one another.  We are very grateful to have had pretty weather and the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with our wonderful family!

A Good Buddy

Keyton & Garrison were so excited the other day when their good buddy, Carter, got to play with them for a few minutes.  He stayed in here with us while his daddy was outside working with cattle.  He didn't get to stay very long, but the boys had tons of fun spoiling him.  They brought him toy after toy trying to satisfy him.  However, his favorite was a ball!  We think he gets that from his mommy and daddy!   The boys loved hugging and kissing on him and they hope he comes back very soon and stays longer!   It is always good to have good buddies!  

Hunting Adventure

Keyton...is that you under there?

Nice bandanna...Garrison!

Keyton wanted to go hunting with his daddy for his birthday, so he got some gear to wear on this adventure.  I had my doubts that he would really get to go "hunting."  Dana has never been a big hunter.  However, this morning the boys woke up early and were eager to get going.  They began by getting out everything they owned that was camouflage.  They were dressed and ready to go before Dana even got up.   Their trip started out as just a farming trip, however, I think they ended seeing a deer or two on their way back.   It really didn't matter to them where they went or if they actually even hunted for anything.  They had a great time with their daddy and they thought they were serious hunters!   I am glad they went.   I like seeing them doing things with Dana.  It is cute to watch them act like "big men."  We sure do get a kick out of our little men!   

Keyton is 7!!!

My big 7 year old!

...with little brother

...with farm supplies

...with cake

...with Mommy

...with Daddy

...with the Asberry Crew

I cannot believe my little guy is 7 today!   It seems like only yesterday when he was a little baby in my arms.  He woke up bright eyed this morning a whole lot earlier than usual so he could get his presents before he went to school.  He got to pick out some of them but he wanted a few surprises.  He mostley wanted real stuff to use around the farm. He only got one toy and one video game.  Everything else...real "men" stuff!   His daddy wanted to get him a pair of Muck boots at the farm supply store so I took him out there...they were out of his size!  I asked him if he wanted to look around and he ended up with two farm tools:  one to give animals pills and a needle to give them shots!  He said he needed some of his own because his daddy had some. Only MY SON would get excited over real farm equipment instead of toys!   Funny!   He decided against a big party this year partly in due to the cold weather!  Instead, he is opting to go hunting with his daddy this weekend and getting to have different friends over to play with him on different days!  Sounds like fun to me!  Garrison was so excited to see him this evening!  He hugged and hugged him.   My mom stayed over at our house today and had our supper cooked for us when we got home:  ham, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, rolls, and banana pudding!  After that we had cake. Garrison made us stick a candle in his piece and sing to him too.  Keyton thought that was funny! He was excited to try out his Will Emergency Hero game, so went to the basement and he and his daddy played rescue teams with one another.  He got great presents from Aggie, MeMa & PaPa, The Asberry Crew, Jerry & Denesa, Uncle Robbin,  & Uncle Jason!   He had a great birthday.  Keyton is such a little sweetie.  I feel bad because he is so very shy and the rest of the world misses out on his wit and insight on things.  If only everyone could hear the things says...they would love it!   I think he really wants to come out of his shyness, but is just scared to.  I see him improving a little all the time.  He really does have such a kind heart.  He reminds me so much of my daddy.  I wish he was here to see how big he is!   I am very lucky to have this precious little guy call me...MOMMY!   He is a great blessing!   Happy Birthday Keyton Edward Dowdy!   WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!!

...my brother...my best friend...

If big brother gives a kiss...

...little brother has to give one in return...

I am so thankful my boys love each other so much!  They fuss and fight daily about little things, just like all siblings do.  However, they simply adore one another.  When one of them gets in trouble with me, the other one is there to comfort them and make it better. They are always hugging and kissing on each other.  When they are playing side by side, they say, "I love you" quite often.  It is so sweet.  

Garrison looks up to Keyton so very much.  He tries to imitate him all the time and often gets upset if he doesn't have things like Keyton.  He has started doing "homework" at "Aggie School"  so he can keep up with Keyton!  He carries a back pack there every day.  It is so cute! Garrison loves his big brother!

Keyton thinks Garrison is the sweetest and smartest two year old in the world.  He has been mesmerized with his sweet cheeks ever since the day he was born.  He his always pinching them and saying, "I love your chubby cheeks!"  Every night that Garrison falls asleep first, Keyton steals bunches of kisses from him. Keyton loves his baby brother!

I am so thankful that I know that my boys 

will always be there for one another

...as brothers and best friends...

Thomas T. Turkey

Thomas, Keyton, Garrison, Deputy Dana, & Dispatcher Jason

Keyton told Thomas to never end up on the other side of this door!

Keyton & Garrison posing with Thomas under the door sign!

Keyton brought Thomas T. Turkey home with him for the weekend. Keyton said that he was pretty sure that Thomas T. Turkey was a cousin to Teddy T. Bear, who stayed with us before. So, knowing how great Teddy was, we knew that Thomas would be a great house guest! Keyton wanted to take Thomas on a great adventure. So, Friday night, we took him to the courthouse. Friday was Keyton & Garrison's "Uncle" Jason's birthday and they wanted to bake him a cake. We baked him one and delivered it to him while he was on duty as a dispatcher working with their daddy. They had a great time up there seeing what all goes on behind the scenes with these guys protecting our county. Keyton wanted Thomas T. Turkey to get to be a dispatcher for a few minutes, so he got to sit in the dispatcher chair and try it out! He did a great job! Dana said there was already a turkey in the chair! ( Jason) :-) The boys took Thomas T. Turkey on a little tour around the Dispatcher's Office. He seemed to really enjoy his adventure there. After visiting for awhile, we headed home. Keyton, Garrison, AND Thomas T. Turkey were all exhausted from their adventure! We had a great time having Thomas in our home. We hope he has many more cousins that will visit us during this school year!

I Love Fall!

Keyton & Garrison looking at all of the leaves...

Keyton

Garrison

My precious boys!

Yesterday, Dana and I took the boys for a little drive past our house to look for good spots for fall snapshots. Some of the great beauty of the fall colors got washed away with the rainfall the other night. We needed the rain, but it was kind of sad to see all of those beautiful colors fall away. I love this time of year. I love all of the pretty colors everywhere and all of the leaves that fall on the ground. I love making pictures of my boys during this time. (Well, I guess I do that in EVERY season! ) The boys are always eager models for their mommy! Dana is a pretty good photographer's assistant . We plan to do it again soon when Dana can get a break again. We had a great time!

Trick-or-Treating

PIRATE KNIGHT Garrison

PIRATE CHIEF Keyton

My two sweet trick-or-treaters!

Well...tonight my boys went out in their THIRD round of Halloween Costumes for the week! They dug into their "treasure chest of costumes" (again) and found them some costumes that were easy to travel in. Keyton went as a Pirate and Garrison as a Knight. However, since Garrison wants to do EVERYTHING that his big brother does....we had to call him a PIRATE KNIGHT! That seemed to satisfy him. They made pirate noises all night long! They had a great time trick-or-treating! Aggie went with us and they enjoyed showing her all of their treats! Later in the evening, they were treated to our ONLY trick-or-treat visitor. It was their buddy, Carter! They were very happy to see him and they made him a special goody bag! They wanted him to stay and play longer, but he promised to come back soon! We have had a very good Halloween WEEK LONG celebration with our church, school, friends, and family! We can't wait til next year...they boys tell me they want to be VERY SCARY!!!

School Halloween Parade

Keyton as...Recycled Costume

Garrison as...Bag of Groceries

Our school always has a big Halloween parade!  The gym is always packed.  They even open it up to visitors.  It is a very good program.  The children all enjoy it tremendously!  They award prizes for "most original"  and "scariest."  This year, Garrison was a "Bag of Groceries" &  Keyton was a "Recycled Costume."  I made Garrison's last night in about 10 minutes with stuff I had at the house.  (last minute kind of girl)  I got Keyton's stuff ready a few nights ago.  We just raided the "old costume" box and mixed different parts together to "recycle."  They had fun and they did a great job.  We have never won but we just always have fun participating!  I can't wait to go trick or treating with them tonight!

100 Things I Love...

I am so glad I started blogging to keep up with life's daily moments.  I cannot believe this is my 100th entry!  In honor of that, I quickly compiled a list.  This list is not perfect...it is just what came to my mind at the moment.  I could EASILY make a lit of 100 things I love about my sons!  

1.  God

2.  My family

3.  My friends

4.  My students

5.  My church

6.  My home

7.  My job

8.  My vehicle

9.  Blogging

10.  Hugs

11.  Kisses from my boys at the end of the day

12.  Seeing a student accomplish a goal

13.  Mail (except bills)

14.  Cheesecake

15.  TiVo

16.  Taking Pictures

17.  Scrapbooking

18.  Writing 

19.  Helping others

20.  Church hymns

21.  Music

22.  Guitar Hero

23.  Remembering fun times with My Daddy

24.  Making lists

25.  Organizing

26.  Watching my boys learn new things

27.  Making new friends

28.  Winning stuff

29.  Free samples

30.  Solving riddles

31.  Crossword puzzles

32.  Spelling

33.  Learning new words

34.  E-mail

35.  Surfing the internet

36.  Shopping

37.  Snowmen

38.  Holidays

39.  My birthday

40.  Tomatoes

41.  Bath & Body Works (brown sugar & fig)

42.  Old Navy

43.  Technology

44.  My ipod

45.  farm life

46.  Fall

47.  Turkey & dressing

48.  Surprises

49.  Presents

50.  Being warm

51.  Sunshine

52.  Walking

53.  Talking on the phone

54.  Playing with my boys

55.  Listening to my boys talk to each other

56.  Old comedy shows

57.  Twilight series of books

58.  Brad Paisley

59.  Snuggling  up to my boys at night

60.  Laughing

61.  Decorating

62.  Comments on my blogs

63.  Blogging Buddys

64.  Researching 

65.  Shoes

66.  Purses

67.  Pink Starburst

68.  How much my boys love each other

69.  Sleeping late

70.  Reading

71.  Planning

72.  My wedding ring set

73.  My THOUSANDS of pictures

74.  Sonic ice

75.  Subway

76.  Memories of our family beach trip

77.  Money

78.  Riding my four-wheeler

79.  John Deere stuff

80.  Precious Moments figurines

81.  Picture Frames

82.  Playdates with my friends

83.  Christmas shopping

84.  Christmas cards

85.  Funny headlines

86.  Proofreading

87.  My summer vacation with my family

88.  Blog giveaways

89.  Hearing my boys tell me they love me

90.  My hat Dana bought me in Florida

91.  Our Wedding Anniversary

92.  My sons birthday parties

93.  Remembering good times

94.  Family gatherings

95.  Church fellowship days

96.  Baskets

97.  Jewelry

98.  Kittens

99.  Crafts

100.  God's Promises

** I love my life!  ** 

Pictures, Pictures. Pictures...

My cute little firefighters!

In front of our chicken house...

In front of my daddy's old Ford truck...

In the tractor wheel...

Last night the boys broke out their actual "PJ's" because they were cold. They had gotten matching FIRE TRUCK pajamas and hadn't worn them yet so they were excited to wear them. They ended up getting a little hot in them and kept the pants but traded the long-sleeved shirts for t-shirts! But...I was able to get some cute pictures of them before they changed!

Today, we wanted to make a few pictures around the house because it was such a beautiful day! The boys love getting their pictures made, so we just went exploring around the house for some cute scenery! They just wanted to wear their "farm clothes" and not be "all dressed up." So, I just let them wear what they had on. They turned out really cute and we had a nice little adventure together. I love sweet moments like these!