Proof Reading!

Here's the proof....JJ has been reading a book.

He started it in the deer stand where there hasn't been much action this week.

Not counting the Bible or books on spiritual growth that we may be studying in church, I think JJ has read MAYBE 5 books in the past 13 years.

Who knows, he might turn into an avid reader in 2012. After all...readers make leaders!

Merry CHRISTmas!

We had a very Merry CHRISTmas! The Meadowview children's choir sang on Christmas Eve.

There was also a Build-A-Pageant.

After church we headed over to Jake and Kelly's house to celebrate.

We had fun playing Just Dance 3!

We finally stopped dancing to open presents.

Next Christmas another girl will be added to the mix and hopefully Jonathan and Melissa will make it to town with Chase and Brady. My dad will even out the grandchildren with 4 boys and 4 girls!

our tree on Christmas Eve...

You've gotta improvise when there's no mantle!

Our BIG gift was a new tv for the basement.

Look what I got for Christmas! (ok, I know you can tell it's not real)


Since Christmas fell on a Sunday this year, we were able to celebrate the birth of Christ at church. We took my dad to the worship service and Corinna read part of the Christmas story from Luke 2 for the congregation. The rest of our Christmas day was low-key....spent at home eating, watching Christmas movies and enjoying new gifts.

Hope your family had an enjoyable Christmas. May the Lord will bless you immeasurably in the new year!

Parade of Trees

Beautifully decorated Christmas trees make my dad's home, Alston Brook, festive during the Advent season. Take a look. Which tree is your favorite?

This one is the angel tree in the activity room. The residents gifts are underneath.

Hope you enjoyed the parade of trees. Here I am with the grand marshal. Merry Christmas!

The Drakester Is 10!!!

Drake turned 10 today!

Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday we were coming home from the hospital a few days before Christmas. He arrived 2 1/2 weeks earlier than expected.

Drake is smart, athletic and fun. He's a friend to many. He can be fast and furious on the soccer field or perched and patiently poised in a deer stand.

We've phased out birthday "parties" in our home but let the birthday girl or boy choose a family meal and activity. Instead of going out to eat, Drake selected JJ's delicious wings. He also wants to go see the latest Chipmunk movie. We're going to do that next week when the Christmas rush has passed.

Yummy! (they beat any local establishment's wings by far)

Instead of a birthday cake, Drake asked for a pumpkin pie!

May the next 10 years be even better than the first 10. We love you Drake!

8 Going On 18

We celebrated a birthday over the weekend...Corinna turned eight!

She received a ring from her Ma Ma. It belonged to Kay as a girl...what a special gift.

Corinna wanted a new bike, and here it is! She got a matching helmet too.

We took a tour of the Charity League of Lexington's Holiday House. Here she is with MaMa.

Drake killed Corinna a birthday buck. (We're going to do a European mount so I hope you're not grossed out by the deer head.)

Corinna didn't want a birthday cake. Instead, she asked for doughnuts. So, I got an assortment of goodies from Fancy Pastry on which to add the candles.

We had her birthday dinner at Mi Casa!

My baby girl is growing up.

We went to the mall this afternoon to spend her gift card from Jake and family.

She still hasn't outgrown the carousel....yet!

Where has the time gone? Corinna, we have been blessed to have you in our family for the past 8 years. We look forward to seeing what the Lord has planned for your life!