Twenty Four

Lindsey was four and Caleb was one when we began making our candy houses.  To me, the Christmas season doesn't begin until the houses are made!  This year Maddie and I bought all the candy in town.  We gathered our boxes, cleaned off the table, piled it high with candy, and the fun began!! 

Lots of hard work goes into the construction of these masterpieces!!!  Reed insists that all of our houses be structurally sound!!  But as the pictures show, Maddie and Lillian's fun came from doing just a little snacking along the way!!

 We were so proud of Lindsey this year!!  She has always made what she calls classy, pristine houses.  What that means is that in the past, she finished in about 30 minutes.  Well, this year she out did herself!! 

Maddie did an awesome job all by herself.  Her house had windows, and she made a cute tree to go inside the house!  Precious!  She also ate her share of icing!

Yummy!!

Little Bit enjoyed her share of icing, too!

I can't wait for this little angel to join in the fun!!

Caleb has always taken his house building very seriously!!  And, I am so happy to say that Taylor hangs right in their with him.  She even brought a bag with her own goodies for her house!!

Taylor's cobblestone house

Mine, Lillian, Josh, and Taylor  (We have had lots of "goofs"  over the years.  This year Josh took the prize.  I laugh every time I walk by it.  See if you can find the "boo boo"!  )

Uncle C's church - complete with stain glass windows

Lindsey's train with Maddie's house in the background

Reed's nativity scene

And the finished products all together!

Lots and lots of memories have been made over the years making these each year!  It's even more fun now with Maddie and Lillian.  I told Maddie she could be the judge of the winner.  She said they were all good, but Uncle C's church and her mom's train were really, really good.  Then she sweetly said, "But I think I won Nana."  Nana thinks so, too!!

Our Sweet Girls

Allison and Jessi stayed with the girls one afternoon while Virginia and I put the tree up for church.  Allison took my camera and took some absolutely precious pictures of the girls. She has actually taken some of my all time favorite pictures of them over the years.  Reed and his parents had not made it to the house yet, so he missed out on this little photo shoot.

Lots of pictures, but I just couldn't leave any of them out!  Their smiles just melt my heart!

Grace and Anna also visited us the same afternoon!  Double the fun!!

And just because I can't stand the thought of leaving sweet Reed out of this post, this picture was taken at his daycare.  Cutest Indian around!

Next up, our 24th year of making candy houses!!

Thankful

Thanksgiving at Papa's was once again filled with wonderful food, lots of smiles, precious new babies, and most of all family.  My favorite is watching the cousins play and interact.  We are blessed with so many children, and I love watching them grow and change.  Maddie loves every minute she spends with the cousins.  We have had lots of changes in the family the past year and a half, and we definitely felt the void left by their loss.  However, the love is still evident in every  conversation, smile, and new memory made.

 My greatest blessings!

Family fun and great food!!

Reed and Rylie are 6 weeks apart.  I am thrilled they will be able to grow up together!

Three generations

I think this one will probably end up in a frame!

You never know what Aunt Sandra is going to come up with for entertainment.  This year she found marshmallow guns, and they were quite a hit!!

Another Thanksgiving is in the books.  Now, the tree is trimmed, the halls are decked, and we are anxiously waiting for Christmas!!

How We Roll

Reed loaded up the girls and the oil for frying the turkeys and headed up the street to Papa's.  The rest of us will shortly be on our way.  Family gatherings are one of the things I'm most thankful for.

This is how we roll!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Wedding Fun

Taylor's sister, Tori was married this past weekend.  Jean and I enjoyed the festivities so much.  It was a beautiful, sweet occasion.  I must say that it just makes me wish for January 31 even more though.  I just can't wait for Caleb and Taylor's BIG DAY!!  These photos are all courtesy of Jean's phone!!


I don't have any pictures of the beautiful bride, but I think this couple is just precious!

I also got to spend some time with this handsome little guy!  Rose Lynn's husband was a groomsman, so Baby Ty got to enjoy the reception.  He is an absolute doll!  I must add that I am still amazed that Lindsey's classmates are married with families of their own now!!  

This one was a little blurry, but I had to include it.  He's so cute that you just want to squeeze him!!

The girls are coming today for a little pre Thanksgiving fun.  Their mom, dad and sweet baby Reed will be here tomorrow night to add to the fun!  We can't wait to see everyone for Thanksgiving!

Go Generals!

 Maddie had a cheer competition in Tallasee  recently on a frigid, windy day.   I'm talking seriously cold!!  The competition involved a jump off, chants, cheer and a dance.  Maddie's group went second, and they were awesome.   After they competed, I really didn't think they could be beat-until the next squad went!!  They were very good, too.  So, Maddie's team received second place after a really great performance!  Two girls on her squad also received awards for the jump off. I don't remember exactly how many squads competed, but there were quite a few.  Maddie's group has lots of 5 year olds, so I thought that made their win even more special!  I have sat through so many camp performances and games with her mom cheering, so this brought back lots and lots of memories!

This little blue-eyed sweetie got to stay with a babysitter! Pop and Josh got in a few snuggles before we left.

All bundled up, waiting (and waiting and waiting) on the event to start!  Maddie's bow was standing straight up due to the blustery wind!!

And we're off!!

Cheer!  My favorite is the two upside down signs!!  That didn't effect their performance!  They were truly awesome!!

Dance! 

And a well deserved trophy!!

This has been a very long, but fun season.  I am amazed at how much Maddie has progressed!  I see lots more of these events in our future!

These are some pictures the babysitter sent of Reed during the competition!  He looks like he had a great time!  So glad he stayed warm!

Another quick but fun trip is in the books! Lindsey just called.  Both girls have strep!!  Bless them!