Trees and Santa

We are knee deep in getting ready for Christmas.  The decorations are up, and the presents are wrapped!  Reed has been super busy decorating trees around town lately!  For several years now, he has decorated his dad's big cedar tree, and put up and decorated the outside tree for our church.  This year, he was able to help with the city's tree.  They are all different, yet special!  The pictures don't do them justice.

First, the tree at our church.  The hole was dug and up it went!  We literally bought every light from one dollar store in town!

The lighting of the tree!

John Sawyer checked out the big guy the night the city's tree was lit!

So pretty!

The tree crew!

Getting those lights just right!

We stopped at the mall for a little train ride, and checked in with Santa while we were there.  They all assured him that they've been very good this year!

Merry Christmas!!

Thankful

Although Thanksgiving is a special time set a time to give thanks for all that we have, I give thanks daily for all of the many ways our family has been blessed. There are no words for how truly thankful I am for my sweet family, friends, church, home, job and more!  It is nice to set aside a special day for celebrating.  Josh was on call and Lindsey didn't want to leave him by himself, so he and Lindsey weren't able to be with us.  We missed them, but loved having the kiddos for a few days.  Maddie, Reed and Pop got in lots of hunting, and Maddie was able to shoot another  couple of deer.

We began the week watching Reed in his precious preschool program.  I'm very happy to see that Pop and I made the list!! Minnie and Daisy are his dogs.  

This little one loves his momma!

Aren't we blessed?

John Sawyer had a wonderful first Thanksgiving.

Grayson and Maddie were having a little conversation here!  

Papa enjoyed the day.

Sweet young ladies!

I love these two!

And these three, too!!

Well hello there, Lillian!

Scott is carrying on the tradition of frying the turkey.  This was his first time, and he did an awesome job!

The taste testers!

Time to eat!

Yummy!

The tree is up, candy houses are made, and  most of the presents are wrapped!  Come on Santa, we're ready for you!

Go Girls!

Lillian and Maddie had quite the morning.  The participated in a one mile fun run at their school.  Lillian started strong, got a little tired, but hung on to finish strong.  Maddie ran a consistently steady race, and easily came in first!!  We are so proud of both of them.  Reed was the perfect little brother, cheering both on to finish!


Ready! Set! Go!

Yea Maddie!

Way to Go!!

So proud of you!

Sweet sisters!

Adding another medal to her collection!

Maddie also won first place in her school's lego competition this week!

If there is a sweeter child anywhere, I'd like to meet them!  She has a heart of gold!



The day actually began with a princess breakfast.  That is a perfect start to any day for this sweet girl!

This angel just keeps growing, learning and changing every day!  

And I wanted to add this one just to prove that I really do lay him down sometimes when he naps!!

Tis the Season

Yes, my halls are decked!  I love everything about Christmas, and the longer my things are up the happier I am!  We also have several outings in the next few weeks in addition to work, so I wanted to get a head start on things. The big kids were here for the weekend.  Maddie and little Reed enjoyed the youth hunt.  Lillian enjoys staying with me!! 


This little one was fascinated by the tree!  He's also pretty fond of his tongue these days!

Reed and a friend recently got to help with the delivery of "Meals on Wheels" in Alex City.  Cutie!

A little after church fun.  The girls got to help with packing shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

Maddie actually shot a spike on this hunt.  We think Reed is going to enjoy hunting, also. He's got his snack and is ready to go!

They love John Sawyer!  Playing with him is always the highlight of their visits.



While here, we decorated Christmas cookies.  Lillian was our expert taste tester!

This one is growing so fast!!  Precious girl!!

Love this stinker!!

I so love making memories with these sweet babies!! Masterpieces!!

For the 28th year, we decorated our candy houses this past weekend. More on that next!