Christmas morning 2011

This was probably one of the best Christmas' ever. With both girls being big enough for the magic of Santa, it just added a special sparkle to the holiday! Our elf, Eddie, has been up to a lot of mischief this year! We have all enjoyed getting up everyday to find out what he has gotten into over night! On his last night, he left the girls a goodbye message on our scrabble board. Last night, Kylee had a hard time going to sleep! She was scared of "HO HO" coming into our house!! It took about a 20 min. conversation to explain that Santa wasn't a threat and that she would be super excited in the morning! Well, needless to say, her fear is over and she's ready for Santa next year!! I loved watching their faces! Kylee just squealed when she realized all that was awaiting her!! She was so happy that Santa had gotten everything on her list. Morgan loves her kindle fire. We are blessed beyond measure!

Christmas 2011

I have such a sweet peace this Christmas morning! After getting to see what all Santa had brought, we loaded up the kids for church. We had all voted to have church this morning. I wanted my kids to know, like the famous words of the "Grinch"..."maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe, just maybe, Christmas means just a little bit more." But there's no maybe about it. We had such a sweet service singing Christmas songs, sharing through testimonies just what the Lord means to us, and listening to Bro. Joe remind us that even on our darkest days "that a Savior was born in the city of David." I have felt so very blessed this Christmas, not because my life is perfect but rather because I am happy with what God has blessed me with. First, He gave His son to be born to a virgin so that I might live. Second, wonderful parents, who I know are always here for me no matter what. They have always tried to raise me right and encourage me in every thing I have ever set out to do. They love my girls so very much and that just makes me love them more. Third, He sent a man into my life that I could only have ever dreamed about. He is such a wonderful husband and father. The girls don't realize yet just what a terrific dad that God has given them. He is more than I could have ever thought possible in a husband and friend. I can never thank him enough for all the he does. Next, my two beautiful daughters, Morgan and Kylee. Just writing their names brings tears to my eyes for all the joy they have brought to my life. I could never imagine such a deep love. Watching the excitement in their eyes this morning just made my heart so full. They each have such special qualities that are their own. Such big hearts. I am so glad God chose me to be their Mommy and I pray everyday that I do the job in a way that pleases Him. All of these are just a few of the blessings he has bestowed on me. A job where I get to help others, a warm home, food to eat, a bed to sleep in, clothes to wear, a car to drive, friends and family so very dear, and the list just keeps going on. So this Christmas I want to give my Savior a thank you for all the "presents" He has given me everyday. Merry CHRISTmas!

Trick-or-Treat!!

Halloween seems to just get better every year!! I had the cutest Princess of the Seas and Scooby Doo ever!! We had plans to go on the golf cart around a neighborhood with some other friends, but with my recent surgery and Kylee had a little cough we decided to scratch those plans. We just went to both my grandmas, my parents, my nephews, and a few other homes. The girls got a ton of candy though because my girls are usually their only trick or treaters and so they get all their candy!! I wish it were possible for us to trick or treat the family in OH. Kylee took off her costume at every stop, so that made for a lot of work through the night!! We had a blast! My favorite quote of the night was from Morgan, "If you're cute you don't even have to say trick-or-treat. They just give you candy anyway!!" Kids are so funny and so precious! Now I can't wait for Thanksgiving and Christmas!!

Pumpkin Carving

I absolutely love this time of year-with the exception of knowing that winter is coming!! I love the fall festivals, the pumpkin patches, picking out costumes, trick-or-treating, and of course, pumpkin carving. This has been a tradition since we got married. It just gets better every year as the girls are able to pick out their pumpkins design. I love watching their faces as they put their hands into their pumpkins-always brings such a giggle and an "ewwww"!! They can't wait to put them on the porch and to bring them to life!! This year Morgan's first pumpkin rotted before we got a chance to carve it, so it was Daddy to the rescue!! Of course, Kylee had to get a new, bigger pumpkin too!! I can't wait until Halloween! Just praying everyone stays healthy for trick-or-treating!!

Fall Fun!!

On Sat., Oct. 15, we went to Attalla's Heritage Day. The girls had a blast! All the rides were free-sponsored by the city. They loved all the food and the entertainment as well. After Kylee's nap, we took the girls to the pumpkin patch in Sardis. We were trying a new one this year and we were kind of disappointed. We do this like every other year but always like the one in Hayden the best. Not sure why we keep trying to find a different one. We were really hoping for great things out of this one since it's only like 15 min. from our house, but no luck!! The girls loved playing in the barn. They had big bins of corn the kids could play in, a really cool pvc slide, a two-story fireman's pole, and a climbing wall. They loved riding the hayride out to pick out our pumpkins, which also were a disappointment. They were all just so small. We usually get 4 different sizes to represent the family...but not this year! They had a little "cow train" and also swings made from tires which were shaped like horses and bulls. I believe Todd enjoyed these as much as the girls did. Overall, it was a great time. Anytime spent with my babies and my husband usually equals a great time. Always filled with laughter and love!! Love making memories!

Goodbye Summer :(

I am so thankful that we got a chance to finish our last beach vacation. This was probably one of the best beach vacations I can remember in a while. We always have a blast with our family, but this one was almost perfect-except Todd got stung by a jellyfish!! The weather was perfect(not too hot or raining), the ocean was perfect (no seaweed or rough water), the pool was perfect(not too crowded). It was just a great time. We didn't do a lot this trip other than spend time together. We stayed out by the pool and beach all day. The girls loved playing on their alligator and orca floats. As always, Morgan loved finding shells. We went out to St. Andrews State Park on Fri. We wanted to go snorkeling, but they had the purple flag out due to the numerous jellyfish in the water. So we ended up sitting on the beach and playing in the sand. We then went over near the fishing pier in the park and looked for "sea critters". We saw hundreds of hermit crabs, sea urchins, fish, a dead sea turtle, and several different types of jellyfish. The best of all was the dolphin, which swam right under the pier in the shallow. We were able to see it right up close for probably 5-10 min. We could see it so clearly. When Kylee first spotted it she let out a scream of excitement. She loved it. I can't wait until we can return again. This is just the first of our future trips to the beach in Oct. What a way to say good-bye to summer. I love my family. I am so blessed.