Loganisms

It snowed a little last night.  On the way to daycare today, this is what the wise Logan said: "The world is covered in a blanket."  We just night have a writer on our hands!

Christmas 2015 {Taylor's}

I am not sure who was having more fun playing! 

 Mason refused to be photographed...got a photobomber here and I love Kate's expression in the background.

 He really was having fun despite the look on his face. Wrestling with Papa is the best!

We made the trek to Haven today for Christmas with Papa and Nena.

The kids got more gifts than they could imagine(Nena always goes a little overboard but that's what Nenas are for!).

Brylie and Mayzie spent the day fighting over "Baby Kate."

I can't believe in just a few short months they will have their own baby to fight over.

Aunt Leslie is due in June!

 

So much to be thankful for this year.



Christmas 2015 {Christmas A.M. and Howell Christmas}

This year we stuck with our rule of four.

The kids got stockings with lots of small things in them then four additional gifts to open.

Something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read...it is our way of not overspending and overdoing.

Our daycare group adopts a family for Christmas every year and honestly we spent more on our adopted family than we did on our own.

My kids are so blessed, there just isn't much that they need!

Then it was off to Grandma Wilma and Grandpa Kenney's for the Howell Christmas.

We were so stoked that AJ was still in town.

Granny Grace got to come down for the party as well since Grandma and Grandpa have moved into an apartment on the same campus as Granny Grace's nursing home.

 

Grandma Wilma has not been doing well but she was as feisty as ever.

Gavin received the Lincoln Logs he has been wanting, Logan some walkee talkees and Kate her shape shuffles that were at the top of her wish list! 

After we ate brunch and opened gifts we went into the nursing home to sing some Christmas carols.

I grew singing 4-6 part harmony with my family completely acapella and to this day, nothing makes my heart happier then hearing all those sweet voices together.

 

Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2015 {Newman's}

We drove to Uncle Mark's tonight for the Newman Christmas. Papa Don and Nana were visiting Papa Don's family out of town so they weren't there and they were missed.  These kids of mine sure do love their ornery uncles!  Gavin had fun playing with the horse dog Izzy and we even got a group shot of everyone this year.

I am completely exhausted so I am breaking my tradition and not writing my rendition of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" this year.  I think my kids would rather spend the 45min to an hour it was would take me to write asleep cozy in my bed...just keepin' it real!

Cousin Zoo Date

No fevers since Saturday meant our cousin play date was on for today.  Dane and Stella had never been to the zoo and the 35 degree temps weren't stopping us.  After being shut up in the house all week, these kids needed to run.  One perk of being brave enough to challenge the cold is that there was absolutely no one else at the zoo!

The new elephant habitat is near completion and the kids are so excited to see how many new elephants we will get to fill it.

There is something about spending time with my cousin Ethanni.  She just gets me.  When we were little, our mommies made sure to help solidify a bond between us that no one could ever break.  We are trying to do the same with our kids.  Being so close(5 births in 6 years) is exactly how we were born with our brothers and my sis.  It's so fun to see their eyes light up when you tell them that it is a cousin day.  May they always love each other this much!

Uncle AJ is Home!

 

 

We got together at our house tonight because Uncle AJ was in town and we thought a family dinner sounded like fun.  The kids are finally starting to feel better and everyone except Kate is fever free although hers is coming down with meds. We kept the night low-key.  Broccoli cheese soup, chili and a meat/cheese tray made our menu complete.  One thing my Grandma Wilma has taught me is that WHAT you make for dinner isn't really all that important.  Spending time with the people you are cooking for should be your focus.

This Christmas season is bittersweet.  With the declining health of many family members, my kids and I are soaking up all the togetherness we can.  I know that though our bodies may fail, we can choose to live forever through the sacrifice of Jesus.  It seems my emotions should be completely eased by the true meaning of the season.

Servant Heart

I don't many talents, but I do have a servant heart.

This little girl is taking after her Mama.

Even not feeling well she needed to "help" me around the house today.

She is my little mini me.

She always wants to sit on the kitchen cabinet and help me cook and prep food.

She really loves cleaning the bathroom(I think because she knows I hate it).

She likes to fold laundry.

God truly blessed me with another little servant.

Sickies

Last week Logan ran a fever for 4 days.  He stayed home from school on Friday and Monday with Lisa.  This week Gavin is going on day 7 fever and cough, has stayed home with Lisa all week and last night Kate joined him.  I hate having sickies.  They don't feel good, they don't sleep well(or they sleep constantly which is a really bad sign with my crew), constantly having to push meds down them, praying for wet diapers when the smallest won't drink...yuck.  I totally get it. So I loaded up the two little ones today and took them to see Dr. Perry.  She prescribed antibiotics for Gavin but wanted to wait on Kate.  I dropped them off at Lisa's so I could go help with Logan's Christmas party at school as previously planned.  Thank God for family.  This evening, Kate has run a 103 degree fever even after meds.  I am praying the fever breaks soon and she is able to rest tonight.

 

 

Logan and Mrs. Husselman at the party

A Good Evening

 

The kids were in rare form tonight. They disappeared while I was cooking dinner and I walked downstairs expecting to see some kind of huge mess just to find them cuddled up on the couch.

Daddy came home and everyone had a great time putting together a new piece of equipment for his work.  Logan brought the sweet picture home from school.

Kate couldn't seem to make up her mind about what she wanted to be.  So I had an indian princess cowgirl running around my basement for a few hours.  LOL...oh this girl.  At the end of the night, everyone went to bed happy and content.  I could use more evenings like this.

The Polar Express

Uncle Tyler and Aunt Kate took the kids to Bristow, OK today to ride The Polar Express.  Modeled from the famous book, the kids enjoyed a 2.5 hour ride that took them to the north pole.  On the way back, Santa rode with them and his elves passed out silver bells and golden tickets.  Logan loves train so any chance to ride one makes him ecstatic.

Aunt Kate said that after the 3 hour car ride there that sitting another 2.5 hours was kind of out of the option for Gavin and Kate.  They played the movie too but they were more interested in climbing around on the seats like monkeys.  If Uncle Tyler survived 8.5 hours of sitting with these three, I think it is safe to say we have broken him in.

Aunt Kate is staying the night with the kids tonight as Steve and I are at my Christmas party for work.  Thank goodness for Aunt Kate!  What a fun Christmas present this was for the kids.