Visits from Loved Ones

This week was filled with visits from family members we didn't get to see over Christmas.  Which was really exciting for my kids - I think the novelty of staying home with mom has worn off.

My cousin Malinda and her daughter Alli came to Lubbock on Tuesday and brought my grandma with them.  We were so excited to see them!!!  Each year my wonderful, talented, loving (I could go on and on) grandma makes Christmas presents for each of her 17 great-grandchildren.  Yes, makes them!  This year she did fleece blankets for all the kids - did I mention there are 17 of them? 

Jackson is excited about his Cars blanket!



Can you tell how much she loves it?  We tried to get Kendall to pose with her Princess blanket, but she was afraid we were going to take it away from her so this is the best we got!

 

Jackson and Memaw - she also made them these cute candy cane "Rudolphs".




Jackson, Memaw and Kendall

  

I narrowly saved this "Rudolph" from being eaten so I could get a picture.  Cute, simple idea!



Aunt Kay sent gifts for the kids with Malinda.  Kendall loves her new puzzle!  Thanks, Aunt Kay!

We may have done a little bit of shopping while they we here - okay, we did a LOT of shopping!  Alli loves things that have peace signs or zebra print - she's my kind of girl!!! 




Jackson, Kendall and Alli - can you guess which store?



Not sure why my kids love to have their picture at Target - but they do!

Alli was so good with Kendall!  She entertained her, played with her, carried her around and read "Wocket in my Pocket" to her about a million times!  She's such a great cousin!

Jackson said to Alli, "Yeah, be glad you don't have a sister!"  This is funny because while Alli doesn't have a sister, she does have not one, but two little brothers!

Alli, Malinda and Grandma had to leave on Wednesday to get Alli home for basketball practice.  We were really sad to see them go!

Wednesday night we headed out to watch Zach's cousin from Spearman, Cody, play in the Caprock Ambucs Basketball Tournament.  I made Kendall take a late nap because the game was at 9:00 that night.  Jackson was super excited to be going to a game at his bedtime!

We got to see a lot of Zach's extended family at the game.  It was good to visit with the Bentons and the Martins.  Jackson talked up poor Julie the entire game!  I had accidentally left my camera at home charging, so I did not get any pictures.  Boo :(    I told Zach how sad I was about this when we got home and Jackson informed me that he had taken some pictures with his DSi.  While these are not great, I promised him I would include them.


I think he was attempting an action shot, but was too late.

 

Blurry, but Spearman is in purple.  I think that's Cody up front, but I'm not entirely sure!  I think it's kind of ironic that Spearman came all the way to Lubbock to play...Borger.  They lost, but Cody played hard. We were glad we got to see him play.


Thursday night, another one of Zach's cousins, Bray, came over for supper.  He brought presents from Charolette and his family for the kids (did I mention my kids are really spoiled?).  Charolette is Zach's mom niece.  I could try to explain exactly what she would be to Zach, but simply put - she's a lot like Zach's aunt.  She has two daughters (One of which we got to see at the aforementioned bball game).  Charolette and her whole family have always been so sweet to Zach and our family.  Charolette checked in and took care of Yvetta a LOT when she still lived in Spearman.

Anyways, back to Bray...He and his roommate, Nathan, came over for supper Thursday night.  It was really good to see him.  He and his roommate were so courteous and well-mannered, I had to remind myself that they were college students!  Again, not sure why I didn't get any pictures!  They brought Jackson a Hot Wheels trick track which the kids have been playing with non-stop!  I felt bad for Bray's roommate because Kendall took a major liking to him and would not leave him alone!  We had a great time visiting with Bray - I know Zach really enjoyed it!

I hope everyone has a happy, healthy, safe and blessed New Year!!!  I can't believe it is almost 2011!  That sounds like a year straight out of a Jetsons' cartoon.

Verse of the day - "We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19

Blessings,
Kelli

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Christmas - Part Three

Christmas morning - 5:00 a.m. Jackson runs into our bedroom screaming, "He (Santa) came, he came! Let's go, let's go!" Mind you, Jackson did not go to sleep until about 12:30 that same morning.  Kendall was still asleep and my parents were coming over for breakfast and to see what Santa had brought.  So, I was a MEAN momma and made him lay down with us and go back to sleep.  He fell back asleep after about 20 minutes of arguing.  Glad I did - we had to wake him up when my parents came over about 8:00.

So, yes Santa did come. 
And, yes he did enjoy the cookies and milk and even left a note!

That Santa sure does know how to make children happy!

 


Jackson reading Santa's note - Kendall was still half-asleep and really didn't care to look at anything

  

Goodies in the stockings

 

Apparently, Santa wasn't feeling too great and didn't assemble Kendall's Little Mommy Nursery.  So, Yommy and Papa sweetly put it together for her.  I say sweetly a little bit sarcastically.  My dad told me if I saw Santa to tell him to watch his back.  Only he didn't really use those exact words if you know what I mean.  It was a bit of a headache to put together!

 

This picture brings two things to mind-
1. Can you tell who is the boss in our house?
2. Although we wish we could have been with our entire family, I really couldn't have had a better view on Christmas morning than this one. 

 After breakfast, playing with new stuff and FINALLY getting dressed.  Mom and I started on lunch.  It was really good, we had a ton of food.  I'm not sure we know how to make Christmas lunch for only six people.

The turkey was really tasty!

Mom refused to be in the picture, but so did I so here are 3 men and little lady.  Notice that the little lady has already started to graze. 

Since we've been married, Zach and I have traded off Holidays each year with our families.  One year we spend Thanksgiving in Vernon and Christmas with Yvetta and swap the next year.  Since moving Yvetta down here in 2008, this year was the first holiday we didn't get to bring Yvetta (Zach mom's/Gee-Gee) to our house.  We tried and tried to figure out a way for it to work, but in the end decided it would be better for her (both health and mind) if we just visited her.  So after lunch, we headed to see Gee-Gee.  I was going to blog about the Christmas dinner we had at her home last week, but it was not the greatest of visits.  Everyone left feeling really sad and downhearted.  I prayed and prayed that today's visit would be much better, especially for Zach (he had gone up to see her by himself during the week because he didn't want to put the kids through any confusing stuff again).  He is such a great son.  I can't imagine how hard this must be for him. But he keeps smiling and looks at the positive, even though I know on the inside how badly it must hurt for his mother not to know who he is.

I am glad to say that although she did not who we were or why we there, today's visit was really great!  This time she enjoyed watching the kids play and they were really good and well behaved and we got to stay much longer than I anticipated. 

This is the conversation that Jackson had with her when we got there (she was really confused by the presents).

Jackson - "Gee-Gee...Merry Christmas, I love you!  We brought you some presents.  Did you know that today is Christmas?"
Yvetta - "No.  I guess I don't know."
Jackson - "It's Christmas.  The day baby Jesus was born.  Do you remember Jesus?"
Yvetta - "No, is he nice?"
Jackson - "Oh, yes!  He's the nicest guy in the whole world.  He lives in Heaven, you know."

*Tears* - Lots of them



Gee-Gee loves to watch Kendall.  I think Kendall senses that Gee-Gee is someone she needs to take care of - like her baby dolls.  Kendall is always so loving and gentle with Gee-Gee.  It melts my heart!  It's harder for Jackson because he remembers when she knew his name and would play with him.  He doesn't quite understand why that's not the case anymore.

 

Mother and son

 

The presents really confused her, but Kendall kept laying them on her lap and helped her open them up!  They had a great time together! 



Merry Christmas, sweet lady!  We love you!!!

After we left Gee-Gee's, Yommy and Papa came back over for dinner.  We watched our master Wii player and then the not-so-great Cowboys.  After Yommy and Papa left, we snuggled on the couch.  A great end to a great day!


Cheesy, I know.  They really love their snuggies!

P.S.  I want to say thank you to my dear husband and parents.  My ear had been really hurting all Christmas day, but I was trying to ignore it so the pain would go away.  Well, that ended up not working.  About 2:00 a.m., I was in a LOT of pain.  Sadly I had taken the last of adult pain meds earlier that day, so Zach set out at 2:30 in the morning to buy me some more.  He must really love me!  My parents came over early the next morning to watch the kids so Zach could take me to the doctor.  They must really love me, too!  After everyone missing church, a shot, some good pain meds and a LONG nap, I felt much better.  I'm so lucky to have such a loving family.  Thanks, guys!!!

Verse of the day - "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Emmanuel”—which means, “God with us." Matthew 1:22-23

Blessings,
Kelli



Silent Night, Holy Night

Christmas - Part Two (Don't worry - there's only one more part after this)

Christmas Eve!  Jackson sang with the Genesis Choir at the 6:30 service at church.  I love the Christmas Eve service.  It is so beautiful and peaceful and makes us even more excited to celebrate Jesus' birth!  I cannot put into words how moving the service was this year...Zach came pretty close, though.  He said, "You could feel God's presence wrapping around you."  He's exactly right - you could just feel the warmth and amazement of God's love for us.  That He loves us enough to have sent his own son in human form to walk as one of us, with us, for us - Wow!  Our God is an Awesome God!!!

Some of our cookies for Santa.  Jackson did the angel, tree and gingerbread man.  Kendall did the nutcracker and declared, "This too hard!  I just make balls."  And that she did!

 

Playing with our magnetized Nativity scene from Yommy while we wait for our cookies to bake.

 

So my children won't be winning any Martha Stewart awards, but the cookies sure taste good!

 

Jackson ready to sing with his candle and robe.

One quick Jackson story before we move on.  After Jackson finished singing, he came to sit with us.  As each part of the Christmas story was read, actors portraying the characters would walk down the aisle to the altar.  When Joseph and Mary appeared, Jackson leaned over to me and said, "Wouldn't that be fun to be Joseph, Jesus' Dad on Earth?"  Thus began the first of my tear moments of that evening. 

Yommy, Papa, Debbie, Danny, Jason and Dezz came to church with us - a special treat and a big thanks for missing the service at their own church!  They sure do love our kiddos!  After church, we went back to Yommy and Papa's for Christmas Eve sandwiches with some our favorite people.

 

Not sure who was more excited about Danny's Grinch shirt and hat  - Danny or Kendall

  

Funny girl!



One of Jackson's favorite presents - his globe!  Love that boy!

Warning - Gratuitous Christmas pictures with my children ahead!!!


With Danny and Debbie



With Jason and Dezz - so glad they're back in Lubbock!

 

With Yommy and Papa



With Mommy and Daddy

Another Warning - This next part of our Christmas Eve I stole straight from my friend Ann.  She is an amazing mom (and friend) and celebrated each day of Advent with a different activity for her children.  I have loved following her blog this joyous season.  Thanks, Ann for this great idea! 



Yommy and Kendall get settled for our activity



Jackson is ready to read "What God wants for Christmas"



The book, the manger and the presents all came in a box from Mardel.  Looks fun!



Kendall opens box #1 and finds an angel



Jackson finds Mary in Box #2

 

Box #3 - There's Joseph!



Jackson was excited he got to open Box #4 - Baby Jesus!!!



Box #5 - a shepherd!



and a Wise Man in Box #6!  Only one box left - the box that contains what God wants for Christmas...

 

What does God want for Christmas?  He wants you!  The box had a mirror inside so the kids could see themselves.



The manger after all the boxes had been opened.  Such a fun story and activity! 


Much fun was had by all - then we headed home to get ready for the big day!


We lit the Christ candle on our Advent wreath.



We iced and sprinkled a few cookies for Santa - and yet again, sister does not have her shirt on!



We laid out the milk and cookies for Santa along with our stockings, of course!  Then, off to bed!

To be continued...Will Santa come to our house?  Will he like the cookies?  What time will the children wake up?  All these questions and more will be answered in Christmas - Part 3.

Verse of the day - But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21

Blessings,
Kelli

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time!

Christmas - Part One

I LOVE Christmas!  I love the time with family, the traditions, the decorations, the songs, the food, the festivities, the lights, and most of all our LORD!  I sincerely hope each of you are having a wonderful Christmas time as well (Dear Paul, you'll always be my favorite Beatle :)

Before I begin our tale of Christmas 2010, let's play a little game.  I'll show you a Christmas ornament from one of our five trees and you decide which family member the tree belongs to - come on, it'll be fun and if you don't want to play just scroll down and cheat!



Clue #1 - He likes to fish, but seldom get to because of his wife and children.



Tree #1 (a.k.a. the fishing tree) belongs to Zach.  He's my catch of a lifetime.



Clue #2 - She's our little angel.  This one's way too easy.

 

Tree #2 belongs to Kendall.  A pink, glittery tree for a pink, glittery girl!

 

Clue #3 - He's our handsome, strong cowboy.



Tree #3 belongs to Jackson.  How appropriate for his guitar to be right there - Happy Trails!

 

Clue #4 - She loves all things handmade, especially those made by her children.



Tree #4 belongs to me!  A tree full of all the ornaments made by my children through the years.  Next year, I'll need a bigger tree.

 

Clue #5 - I realize we're out of family members, so just take a wild guess.



Tree #5 belongs to us all - can you tell where Kendall hung the ornaments?

Thanks for playing along.  Sadly, there are no prizes.  But like my dad always says - you get the satisfaction of being right! 

Christmas Eve's Eve we spent with my mom, dad, brother and sister-in-law.  We have missed the hound dog out of Timothy and Jessica since they have moved and my kids were over the moon to see them!  Here are the highlights...
  

Wrestling with Uncle Timothy.  I'm a little scared about what will happen when Kendall starts wearing high-heels.  Just kidding, she wasn't using it as a weapon.  It had fallen off, but she didn't want to stop wrestling to put her shoe back on.  That's my girl!


 

Love these guys!




Kendall and Jackson played "Santa" and passed out the presents.

  

More proof she's my daughter...walked around for hours unaware she had a gift tag stuck to her hiney-bone!


 

Lots of presents!



So exciting to be a child at Christmas time!

 

Kendall and Papa - two of my favorite elves!


 

Finally snapped one of Yommy and her presents!



To infinity and beyond...in a Snuggie no less!

The future Jackie O!  Love the pill box hat and princess shoes.  By the way, the bow on the hat is interchangeable - love it!



Jackson showing Jessica how to turn people's pictures into embarrassing photos works of art.



**Disclaimer**  She had been playing dress-up, that's why her shirt if off.  She's showing Aunt Jessica how to call Andy in Mayberry.  Yes, my kids have a strange obsession with the Andy Griffith show.



The stockings were hung by the chimney with care! 




Good news - Kendall's shirt is back on!  Kendall got twin babies from Yommy!



Uncle Timothy and Aunt Jessica gave her this precious vanity table.  She especially loves the "tool box" where she can keep her hair dryer, combs and accessories.

 

Brushing Uncle Timmy's non-existent hair.  Funny in it's own right...



Papa likes Big Jack's Bop It!


Our Williams Christmas was so much fun.  I am truly blessed to have such a loving, caring, supportive family!

Verse of the day - "And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, ⁴⁸ for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.  From now on all generations will call me blessed, ⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. ⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation." Luke 1:46-50

Blessings,
Kelli