Happy Birthday JESUS!

Christmas was wonderful as always this year. On Christmas Eve, we read the story of the real St. Nicholas about how he gave and showed love because God gave His love to him. What amazing history that people have no idea is a depiction of God's love! Our church had a beautiful Christmas morning service where we had to bring out more chairs, because there was so many people there to celebrate Jesus' birth! We wrapped up the day with the Packers winning. It was a great day!

Maylee Grace with her new bike complete with baby seat and bell!

Couldn't get the boys to turn around long enough for a picture :)

All Aboard!

In 2008, we took the family and rode the Polar Express in Durango, CO. We knew after that trip that we would want to bring the kids back and do it again. In November, we got a great deal on a hotel, so we knew it was the perfect opportunity! We bought train tickets and waited to surprise the kids. We didn't tell them until the morning we were leaving. I had all the bags packed and we told the kids we had a present that we were going to let them open early. They tore through the packages to find new pajamas and a ticket for the Polar Express. We had a great time and the kids absolutely loved it!

Camden and his friend, Brenna. They've been friends since they were 1! She and her family got tickets on the same train as us!

May holding the golden ticket. She was not going to let go of it. She just sat and took everything in. She loved it!

My cute snow bunny

Band Concert

Camden decided at the beginning of the school year to join the band. He knew exactly what instrument he wanted to play...the trumpet. Last night, all the 5th grade Band students in Rio Rancho showed off their new skills on their instruments. I've been quite impressed at how quickly he's learned. He has Band practice only twice a week and he also takes trumpet lessons with his friend, Matthew, from Mr. Stephen at church. He has, so far, really enjoyed it and learned a lot. He considers it extra special that his trumpet is Papa's trumpet.

Payton's Special Day

This video pretty much says it all. Payton has been super sensitive to learning about who Jesus is and what He did for us and all of our "mess-ups" (sins). He had been asking lots of questions. He sat down with Mommy and Daddy and we talked about what the Bible says about our free gift from God. What a special present just for us! We just have to accept it. With such a sweet and innocent prayer, he asked Jesus to come live in his heart forever. What a special day as parents to rejoice with him!

SNOW!

We had our first big snow storm of the season and it was COLD out there! The temperature didn't matter to the kids. They all put on their snow clothes and headed out. Camden played with several of the neighbor kids from the street while they all celebrated having 3 days out of school due to all the snow. (He was busy playing with his friends which is why he is not in any of the snow pictures.)

My Rising Star

Camden received the Rising Star Award at school last night. We are SO very proud of him! His teacher shared about what a great friend he is, how respectful he is and how hard he is working in school. It was a special night.

Camden and his teacher Mrs. Walls

Harvest Festival

We made our rounds at Harvest Festival this year. The kids had a blast and as always raked in a ton of candy. I really don't like the idea of their bags full of yummy candy just sitting on the kitchen counter all day.....oh temptation.

Captain Rex, Jango Fett, and the cutest Tinkerbell you've ever seen

Oh man...she is so beautiful. I can't tell you how many people told me that tonight. I tell her all the time that "God made her SO beautiful."

Bible Character Night

At Awana Cubbies, it was Dress like a Bible Character Night. When I asked Payton who he wanted to be, he immediately answered "David!" So, we opted for no sling shot :) and just the bag full of rocks. He was happy. Maylee Grace wanted to be a princess. We looked through her Princess Bible to see who might be wearing a purple dress, because she already had a purple princess dress. We found Hannah! So, we talked about who Hannah was and how she prayed and prayed that God would give her a baby in her tummy. I am quite partial to the story of Hannah. So here is my David and Hannah....and of course, baby Samuel.

Pumpkin Patch

We went to gather our pumpkins at the pumpkin patch with our friends. It was COLD! We had lots of fun playing in the western town, zooming down the big pipe slides and seeing the animals.

May and Julianna petting the bunny.

Maylee Grace admiring her pumpkin. She spotted this little guy and said, "Mom, I want this one. It's beautiful." :)

The REALLY awesome and amazingly cool moms that took their kids to the pumpkin patch. What blessed kids they must have!

Ben, Camden, Payton and Shelby trying to keep warm on the hay ride

sweet friends

Taking Flight

Matt and Camden got to go for a plane ride last week! A friend of ours from church is a pilot and offered to take them for a ride. They flew right over our house and the little kids and I went out back to wave.

Payton's Birthday

Payton's new bike

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.....in Albuquerque

It's Balloon Fiesta Week! We've lived here for 10 years now and it never gets old! My sister and her family were here to enjoy the balloons for the first weekend. We had lots of fun this morning. The best thing is we get to go several more times before the week is done!

Camden trying to fly a balloon with the pilot simulator. He did great!

Gymnastics

Payton and Maylee Grace have been taking a gymnastics class through the City of Rio Rancho. They are in class together which has been the cutest thing to watch. They stay right beside each other the entire time. I love that they love each other so much. They are such great friends. Payton has been most excited about the actual gym activites. Maylee Grace has been most excited about wearing a gymnastics outfit each week.

This is her "butterfly". Every week she shouts out for everyone to hear, "I'm a pink butterfly!" I love that little girl.

Kick-off Sunday at Paragon Church

We had Fall Kick-off Sunday at Paragon. Everyone wore their favorite team attire. Of course, our family donned the Green and Gold! Sunday included tail gating goodies, astroturf and a goal post!! We had lots of fun!

Birthday Bash Weekend

We went to Amarillo this past weekend to celebrate Papa's 60th birthday and Easton's (nephew/cousin) 2nd birthday.

the birthday boy... Easton

All the cousins: Molly (3 mos), Easton (2), Maylee Grace (3), Payton (almost 5), Camden (10)