Oh to have a white Christmas!

The closer we got to our Christmas trip to West Virginia the more anxious the girls became to see some snow. And see the snow they did!! They had a blast (and to be honest so did their daddy and I!)

That's a wrap!

40 minutes left in January and I am finally finishing my Christmas posts :)

To wrap up our Christmas break we set out for Hollywild and yes it was WILD!! Who in the world would think of ending a Christmas light display by allowing a mass number of cars to drive into a huge field, with no defined traffic flow, armed with bread to feed huge animals? "Surely, the animals are behind a fence, across a waterway, something" you may think. No, no my friends zebras, ostriches, horses, sheep and long horned steer just walk up and eat out of your car, out of your hand. It was shocking!! We can't wait to go back next year.

That is Haleigh's hand!

I got so excited about the animals I had trouble taking pictures.

Do you see the horns on that thing?!

After the "field event" there was a little animal village. You could feed deer, goats, pigs, huge cows, camels...
(Mackenzie got too cold and Mark had to get her to the warmth of the car. That's why we don't have her feeding the small animals.)

Like I said, it was wild and we can't wait to go back next Christmas!!

Christmas catch up #5

Christmas at Poppy and Grandma's was filled with family, food and fun!!

Poppy and Grandma with all 9 grandchildren.

Granny with 9 of her 11 great-grandchildren

Uncle Mike giving this "bow stuff" a try.




With this many cousins it fun to watch who teams up for hours of play.

How many cousins does it take to bring down Uncle Darrin?


In case things get too quiet, Sophie was sure to "play Granny's favorite."

Always time to sit and soak in the love!

I think we got this game for the kids?

I did say food right!!

As the numbers dwindled the tea party still continued.

Grandma reading a Christmas story to wrap up a super sweet Christmas visit!!

a break in the "Christmas Catch Up" for PRAISE

Thank You Jesus!!!

the following is copied from Mackenzie's caringbridge site...

Monday, January 18, 2010 6:48 PM, CST
All smiles here!! Mackenzie's lab results from today are back and she is definitely negative for CF!! The gentleman in the picture above was so kind today. He administered the test with such kindness and gentle tone. He told Mackenzie every tiny step he was taking as he put the "warmers" (electrodes) on her arms and then the sweat collectors. After that we walked and waited for 30 minutes to pass as the sweat filled the tube. When it was time to have the "fancy bracelets" removed Mackenzie was ready to walk with her new friend to see if it all worked as needed. She had the tubes filled and at about 3:50 word came that the test was successful and NEGATIVE!!!Once we got home us gals spent some time outside (in the 64* temp) running, laughing and thanking Jesus!

(Thanks Becky :)

Christmas catch up #4

Everyone was bathed and ready in Christmas Eve gowns.

Eventually (about 2 am) the packages were all wrapped and ready.Our "Christmas morning" (Dec 20) finally arrived and we were all ready to go. I'm not sure why we do this waiting game before we open presents. My best answer when asked was, "Because I always had to wait for Grandma to get her coffee and Poppy to get his tea when I was a little girl. So, you have to too!" Sophie got her long awaited first American Girl doll, Chrissa!Our tool lovin' gal got a really neat building set.Mackenzie got a fun moving and poppin' toy just her style!I am still amazed at the joy that comes from watching the girls and their Christmas excitement.

Christmas catch up ... part 3

One day we decided to put the "to do" list on hold and just have some sweet time together! We made salt dough ornaments and memories!! The pictures tell most of the story...

During the baking and cooling process some work needed to be done. However, claiming "to have ears too sensitive for the loud noise of the vacuum" didn't get my oldest out of the job. Earmuffs aren't always for cold snowy days :)

I treasure these precious times with you girls!!