Christmas 2009

Boots...

More boots...

Mario pajamas...He thought it was a blanket!

Mario pajamas...He thought it was a quilt!

The guitar he wanted...

He realized he got a drum set...

They almost forgot to check their stockings.....

They were overflowing with goodies!

This Christmas was so much fun! I was so excited to watch the boys open their presents that I could hardly sleep! I think I woke up every hour! Keyton finally woke up at around 7 and grabbed me and said, "Mommy, it's day!" Then he got everyone to wake up even though Dana suggested we sleep longer! It took Garrison awhile to realize he was awake! After I went in and got the video camera ready to catch their first expressions, they were allowed to enter the living room. Garrison had a wheel barrow holding his gifts because I guess Santa didn't want to wrap that! He didn't even notice! Keyton told him that he had one thing he didn't have to unwrap. Garrison wanted to know what it was and Keyton said , "See that big black thing holding the presents!" Then, Garrison must have really woke up, because he rubbed his eyes, looked around, and screamed, "Lord Have Mercy...I didn't know it was Christmas!" It was so funny! Then the wrapping paper began flying! My camera could hardly keep up! Keyton got a guitar and a keyboard and Garrison got a set of drums...guess we have a band! Whew! They got many many cool gifts and it was so much fun watching them! Christmas really is better to me now that I have kids. I always loved getting presents when I was younger, but now I really don't care if I get one single thing! I just like getting them for these precious little boys so I can watch their sweet faces. I love them more than I can even put into words. My greatest gift is that they call me Mommy.....many times each day! :-)

Our FIRST Gingerbread House...

Posing with Mommy...

Decorating with Daddy...

Having a good time....

Hurry up! We want to dig in!

What a cute demolisher!

A roof never tasted so good...

Mmm...Mmm...

What a cute cleaner!

None of us had ever built a gingerbread house UNTIL last night! After having a great time at my mom's house, we came home get started on the construction...and destruction! It was a great experience for us as a family since neither Dana or I had ever gotten to build one before. That made it EVERYONE'S first gingerbread house...and the memories will be all the more special! The boys watched patiently and in awe as I put the actual house together. They were so excited because I told them they could decorate it however they wanted it!! So, after the house was up, the decorating crew began their work! I told them they didn't have to make it look like the one on the box...that they should just have fun and decorate it anyway they wanted. Keyton said he was glad it didn't matter what it looked like since it was being made with love! Garrison kept cleaning up a little at a time as he went...and eating some of the candy decorations! When we were almost finished with it, Keyton said he couldn't wait to dig in! Garrison's eyes lookedto po likeng they were going to pop out of his head! They made their daddy get in on part of the decorating as well! When it was complete, they did manage to let me take a couple of pictures before ALL THREE guys tore into it! They nibbled and nibbled on it...until it collapsed! I didn't taste it...I just took pictures. Then, the cleaning man stepped in and cleaned up our huge mess! It was a great family activity that we plan on continuing every year! I love my family!

Silly faces...handsome boys...

Silly boys...

Silly faces...

My handsome little guys...

Last night the boys got to wear their new shirts to our church Christmas program. They have been excited to wear them because they call them their "Luke Duke" shirts. My boys spend the biggest part of their time with "The Dukes of Hazzard" playing in the playroom. We have all 7 seasons! Now, they want me to be on the hunt of a "Bo Duke" shirt. I just had to take a picture of them because they looked so handsome! They were acting a little goofy (especially Keyton) and I got some funny faces before I finally got a good one of the two of them hugged up! I love my little "Duke Boys!"

Christmas Program...

A picture of them right after Mrs. Evans & I managed to get

all of that HAIR to stay on him!

It was way to big but that made it even funnier!

Mr. & Mrs. Claus getting ready to pack up and leave!

A snapshot of "Snowy" enjoying the program!

Tonight, the 1st-4th grade classes put on a Christmas Program. We usually do one program per grade throughout the year but this year they decided to try something new! There was a tremendous turnout! The gym was packed!!! Each of the grades performed a small skit that lasted approximately 15 minutes. Keyton was chosen to portray Santa Claus. The 2nd grade part was about all of the elves having the "Elvin Flu." Santa had to sit in a little recliner, eat cookies, drink milk, and pretend to watch the weather channel for reports on the flying conditions! This was right up Keyton's alley: rest-eat-weather Yeah, he fit that part. His was a non-speaking part and that fit him as well since he is so shy. However, last week his teacher added a part of him saying "Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas" on his way out! I was all for it because I knew that if SHE told him to say it...he would! He will talk if he thinks it is required of him. Now, he talks non-stop here at the house but most of the world had never heard his sweet little voice until tonight! And SWEET it was! It made me tear up with emotions. I know that sounds crazy but he is making small steps in his shyness and I was so very proud of him. I hope this will be a big confidence booster for him and he will realize that he doesn't have to be so shy! Garrison had been so excited about this program! He has asked every day since he found out about it if today was the day! He has said all along that he was going to dress up as SNOWY, our Elf on The Shelf for the program. I told him he couldn't be in it and he really didn't understand why. He finally agreed that he could just be "hiding" in the crowd like Snowy hides from us! (I think that Boss Hogg thing spoiled him into thinking he could hang with the 2nd graders) I didn't figure he would actually want to dress up when the time came but boy was I wrong! This evening when I was trying to get Keyton ready, Garrison was in full ELF mode! He said he had to have RED pants! I had to go to the basement and dig through Keyton's old clothes! I managed to find a pair fairly quickly. He also said that he must wear a read shirt with a white collar like Snowy! So, here is the breakdown of what I put on him: red athletic pants, a white button up dress shirt with collars, a red t-shirt over top, Santa gloves, black boots, and a red hat that said, "I believe in Santa Claus. He was worried people would not know he was Snowy and wanted a sign around his neck. So, the sign said: "My brother is Santa Claus so I am his elf, SNOWY! Merry Christmas!" He was a big hit too and he was so very proud! You should have seen him strutting around the house and the school! It was precious! We had a great time and I was soproud of both my little Santa and my little Elf! Life doesn't get much better than this!

Christmas Photos...

A few samples of our pictures...Thank goodness for tripods!

I was trying to think of where to make our photos this year for our Christmas cards. The other day when I was pulling out of the driveway, I looked over toward the shed and gazed upon the HUGE heap of field corn that we all worked in this year! I do not know why, because it sounds a little crazy, but that heap of corn looked very picture-worthy to me! In that moment, I immediately saw us family in our red polos sitting on the hay bales that was holding the corn! So, that is how our 2009 Christmas backdrop came to be! It may seem silly to many, but to us, it is part of our life! We wouldn't change a thing...We are country even if country isn't cool!

The Great Eight

A quick picture before school...

Garrison got him a football!

A gun and target set!

Mule and wagon set...

Posing with brother...

Blowing out the "cupcake"...

I cannot believe my little boy is EIGHT years old! Wow! I can remember bringing him home from the hospital so clearly that it seems like it was only a couple years ago! How did he get so big so fast?!?! On the way to school I was telling him how proud my daddy was of him when he first saw him after he was born. He just stared and stared and he said that he believed that was the prettiest baby he had ever looked at. I can remember it all so well! It is a memory that I will always cherish. Keyton had a big day at school because it was Thanksgiving dinner day and Christmas picture day! Dana & Garrison came up to eat with him and we all got our picture taken together. Keyton got the traditional birthday paddling from his teacher and he was so eager to get home and open presents that he would hardly contain himself! He got a compass, REAL football, gun and target set, mule and wagon set, lock, FBI toys, farm book, socks, and chocolate! He wanted me to make him cupcakes instead of a cake.

The next evening, we had a few family members come over to bring him presents and eat pizza. My mom had baked him a cake and Garrison wanted one too so she made him one as well! Can you say "spoiled?" Keyton got lots of other goodies: western set, clothes, candy, flashlight, canteen, watch, silly string, and some cards with money also came in the mail!

He had a GREAT EIGHT birthday! I love this little boy so much and I am so thankful that he came into my life and made me a mommy!

Pickin' & Grinnin'

A quick pose for mommy before the labor begins...

Our guide...

The rare moment they were working...

Hey...he can drive too!

All loaded up and ready to head home!

This past Saturday was a day that ONLY THE BOYS we all had been looking forward to all week long! Dana had been picking corn all week with a corn picker! The boys were super fascinated with that! You should see how much is in our shed waiting to be crushed for the cattle...we will have happy cows! Then he informed us that we had to pick up BY HAND what was left behind! YAY! We were supposed to do it in the middle of the week, but other things had to be done and Saturday was chosen as THE DAY! They boys gathered their overalls and new boots (that we had to go buy the night before!) and were ready to rock! This is how we got to the field. Dana led the way on the 4 wheeler and Garrison and I were chauffeured in the "mule" (red vehicle similar to a gator only uglier!). He is getting really good at this driving thing but he cracks me up on how serious he is at it! We arrived and Dana & I WE ALL worked hard picking up the corn. I am pretty sure I took the award for gathering the most. That is what the backs of my legs told me the following day! Garrison's comment of the day was, "Can I take a break?" He said this every time he picked up a piece! Keyton's comment of the day was, "Are you ready for me to pull the mule up now?" He said this every time he picked up a piece. Finally, Garrison decided he wanted to drive! I got in with him and put it in gear. Surprisingly enough, he eased on the gas and pulled it up perfectly! Keyton was in complete shock! He was sure I had helped him! He said he was absolutely the smartest three year old ever! Garrison had the big head for the rest of the excursion! Finally with a mule full of corn ;-) We headed back to the house in the same fashion that we had arrived only this time we were the lead mule! HA! Dana said there is still more that we need to gather on another day! I was so glad to hear that! I was hoping we didn't get it all done the first time!!! ;-p

Photos at an old cabin...

Keyton outside the cabin...

Garrison outside the cabin...

They loved this cabin!

Yesterday after church, we all decided to take a drive and look for cute spots for a few fall picture. The leaves are falling so quickly this year that it is hard to find a place with a tree still full of beautiful leaves. Dana. however, knew of this old cabin that was barely still standing. This made a good backdrop for a few cute pictures. the sun was shining so brightly that I had to fight with shadows in many places I wanted to take their pictures. We got a few and had a fun time together as a family. We will probably go back out this week and try to take some more! I love taking pictures of my sweet little guys! They make the best little models for me!

Trick or Treat!

Two army guys...

Me and my precious little guys!

The boys were so excited to get their "fancy" army costumes on this evening! They liked the fun stuff we were able to round up. The best thing about these costumes is the fact that they will play with them over and over for a long time to come! They looked very cute and had a good time going out for some trick or treat fun! They got loads of candy that I am sure will start to disappear very quickly once their daddy gets home from work later! ;-) After a TWO day halloween celebration...we are finally finished with costume changes! I wonder what they will want to be next year?!?

Halloween Parade 2009...

"two headed scary monster"

"Enos Strait"

"Boss Hogg"

"Boss & Enos"

I love these little characters!!!

We always have a Halloween parade at school every year. It is tons of fun! This year, Garrison wanted to be something scary! So, I just threw a white pillow case over him, ripped out some holes and rigged up a couple of masks that we got at the auction a few weeks ago. The best part was that Keyton and several other second graders were all getting together to be the cast of The Dukes of Hazzard. That is our favorite show ever! Keyton was Enos. However, a couple nights before the parade, some of the mothers of the other kids called to tell me that the "Boss Hogg" had backed out and wondered if Garrison would fill in. I asked him if he would care to walk out there with the second graders and be Boss Hogg. His head immediately began to swell. He looked at me and said, "Yeah, I wondered why they didn't ask me in the first place!" He was so funny! We finally got an outfit together and he was so perfect for the part! It worked out perfectly because he was shorter than all of them just like Boss was on the show! Everyone loved it! He got the biggest kick out of participating with the "big kids!" It was a hoot! Keyton really enjoyed getting to show off his baby brother too! We went after school to get their "trick or treating" outfits together. They just like to dress up a little when they go out so it is easier to get in and out of the car so much. This year they wanted to be "army" guys so we gathered a few odd and ends from the Dollar Tree and they are all set for tomorrow!