Christmas

Chloe has been doing really well with her reading. Grandma had gotten Chloe some books and she actually read them to us. They were the Dick and Jane books. It just doesn't seem possible that she could be reading to us. She is so smart.
Here is Dale with Julia and Chloe. They had their robes all and were all snuggled up with Dale.

Christmas Eve I had to work, but thankfully I was placed on call and didn't have to go in till 10:00 that night. So I was able to hang our stockings and watch the kids open up their one gift. They were so cute. They all got a new pair of pajamas and they matched, even Caleb. They looked so cute. We usually let the kids open a small gift on Christmas Eve.

Here are the goofballs Chloe and Caitlyn loving their new nighties.
I was trying to get a picture of all three. They were so hyped up.

After that we had to leave food outside for the "reindeer" So I didn't really have much on hand since we had been out of town, so we left sprinkled grits on the ground for the reindeer. How funny is that. You know they actually ate it. Then the girls placed glow sticks on the yard so the reindeer could see where to land. It was so cute.

Well it was finally Christmas and we celebrated the day by reflecting on the best gift of all, Jesus. I loved listening to our kids pray at dinner and singing Happy Birthday to Jesus. That is the sweetest thing as a parent to see.

Here is Caitlyn on Christmas morning. She actually wasn't feeling so well that day.

Caleb loved Caitlyn's gift of her doll set. As you can tell he has a car tool bench in the background. He does actually play with it as well.

Chloe got a bike. Here she is giving it a try. She actually did very well. I was so proud of her.

Caleb loved his new cars. He played with them all day. The simple things in life.

We had a great day just relaxing with one another as a family.
One of the newest things that I got to do over this past weekend is play Rock Band at a friends house. It was the funniest thing. I never grew up listening to any of those songs and here I was trying to sing Guns N Roses and the such. It was lots of fun.

Catching up

Well I know it has been a while since I've posted, but with the holidays and such it has been so busy. So let me catch us up on some of the happenings over the last couple of weeks. The Friday before Christmas we went to visit Dales parents up outside of Parkersburg WV. They actually live in Belpre OH, but the kids still say they live in WV. His mom and sister Amy had gotten tickets for us to go see the Nutcracker. Marlene (grandma) had gotten the girls some new dresses and they got all dressed up. The girls had a ball. Here is Chloe, Julia and Caitlyn all
dressed up and looking so pretty. We had our Christmas on Saturday evening. Grandma had gotten the girls a nutcracker. Just look at Chloe's face and you can tell how excited she was.

Chloe looked so pretty, I couldn't pass up a picture by their tree.

Here are all the kids on the couch with me and Amy trying to get just one picture of them.
Joseph, Julia, Chloe, Caleb and Caitlyn

Caleb on Sunday for church. Does he not look so handsome. He is growing up so fast. He looks like a little man now. Makes me kind of sad.

Here is Caitlyn loving on Paw Paw Fred.

We had a great time in West Virginia visiting friends and family. It's always nice to visit, but its also great to get back home and back to routine. I have mentioned previously how Chloe has started cheerleading with Upward Cheerleading at a local church. Here is a picture of her at practice. She actually starts her games next weekend. I'll post some pictures of her in her cute outfit next week.

More to come. Keep checking back.....

Wake Forest Christmas Parade

This afternoon we went to the annual Wake Forest Christmas Parade. The kids had a blast. By the end our fingers and toes were numb. It was just a little chilly out this afternoon.

Here we are waiting for the parade to start. Me and my little munchkins.

Caleb and mommy and then mommy getting a sugar kiss from Caitlyn. Chloe took this picture. She did a great job.

Chloe is always saying how Caitlyn is her best friend. Is this not the cutest pic?

Here is daddy with his little man. He was trying to contain all the wiggles.

Chloe's face is priceless in this shot. She was so excited!!

Well that's what we have been up to the last few days. Keep checking back and leave me a comment if you want. I love hearing from everyone.

Christmas Party

On Wednesday we went to our small group Christmas party at The Pauleys house. It was an unusual warm day for December. We all had a blast. We even went around the neighborhood Christmas caroling. The kids loved it.

This is just a few of the people in our "small" group. We definitely had a house full. It was a great time of fun and fellowship with one another. Here we are singing Christmas carols at a house.

The kids loved seeing the houses decorated and the lawn decorations. Here they are saying Hi to Mickey.

Caitlyn and Caleb saying Merry Christmas!!

What's Up?

Well its hard to believe but today Caleb turned 18 months old. It just doesn't seem possible that he is that old yet. Time sure does fly. People are always telling you they will grow up fast and they sure do. I just treasure and am so thankful for each moment God has given them to us. They are such a blessing to Dale and I. I can't imagine our lives without them, we wouldn't know what to do with ourselves. Christmas is just around the corner and it seems to come so fast. Then it will be New Years and then summer again. It seems like life just passes by so quickly especially nowadays. I guess sometimes I need to put things in check and SLOW down. I need to savour all that is around me. Well just thought I'd write a quick note. I'll update later this week. Dale has his finals tomorrow and then he is done for a few weeks until Jan when classes start back up. So that is great!!

Friends

This weekend we took a trip to Bishoppville SC. Dale had a speaking engagement at a church there then we went over to Conway to see some of our close friends. It was a long tiring weekend, but it was great to see some of our friends. Here is Christina with her new little one Patrick. He is 3 months old and sooo cute. They live in Sumter, SC.

Then we spent the afternoon in Conway visiting The Smith Family or at least part of them.

Here is Bethany, Stephanie, Chloe and Caitlyn

This is the Smith Family: Bethany, Stephanie, Merlin and Lonnie ( who wasn't there when photo taken) Since we didn't get a chance to see Lonnie before he left to go back to school at Clemson we had to pull a photo out so we could see him.

Caitlyn kept asking for Lonnie all day in the car. She wanted to show him this picture the girls had made at Redbone Alley, but Lonnie had to go back to school at Clemson so he wasn't there when we got in. Caitlyn thought this was so funny. Here she is with her man Lonnie. Sorry Lonnie you couldn't see us in person and that we missed seeing you, so we had to go with a picture instead.

Well that's all for now. Hope we can come visit for longer next time and actually see Lonnie in person!! :)

Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving here in Wake Forest, NC this year since I had to work that night. We went over to The Pauley's for dinner. They are a family from our small group from church and they have 3 boys. We had a wonderful time.

Here are all the kids. Her neighbors came over also and they had 2 kids. We had a houseful of entertainment!!

Here is Caleb chowing down.

The girls cheered what a great time we had!!

Thanks to the Pauley's for inviting us over and including us in their Thanksgiving this year.