Big Decision

We are so proud of Anna Grace! She made the decision to ask Jesus into her heart! At our church's Christmas Festival, Anna Grace prayed to ask Jesus into her heart. Yesterday she and I met with our pastor to make sure that she understood that decision. She answered several questions and then said that she wanted Jesus in her heart. She prayed the sinner's prayer with Brother Forrest. So now she has a physical birthday and a spiritual birthday!

Bro. Forrest and Anna Grace filled out a form that documented her spiritual birthday. He told her to take that form and write it in the front of her Bible so that she would always know when she became a Christian. Isn't it wonderful to know that we don't have to understand everything - we just have to believe in Jesus with the faith of a child.

Gingerbread Houses

Monday was a perfect time for us to decorate little gingerbread houses. It was a great way to entertain the kids and to use up lots of Halloween candy. They had the best time! I think they ate as much frosting and candy as they got on their houses! In the end, Walker just dumped all of his left over candy on top of his house!

Walker's House

Anna Grace's House

Count Down to Christmas

A tradition we started last year was a "Nativity County Down to Christmas." Each day Walker and Anna Grace add a figure to their nativity. Baby Jesus is placed in the manger on Christmas Day. We have all enjoyed seeing the nativity fill up during December. It has also given us an opportunity to talk about Jesus being the most perfect gift at Christmas.

Christmas Concert

Sunday night the whole family got together at Bebe and Daddy Jim's house for soup and sandwiches. The kids always have a great time playing together, and we usually get a concert of some sort. Charlotte (3), Liza (10) and Anna Grace (7) put on a pretty good show. Enjoy!

A True "Wise" Man

Walker was chosen to be a wise man in the Christmas Program - how fitting! When people mentioned about him being a wise man in the program, he said, "I'm always a wise man." They were all precious in their costume, and they sang so sweetly. They even quoted a couple of scriptures.

In the midst of this busy time of year, it is the children who often remind us of the true meaning of Christmas - the precious babe sent to save the world.

Walker ringing the bells.

Most of Walker's class.

3 wise men

Mary (Annalise) and Joseph (Weston) with Baby Jesus.

Our sweet little Wise Man

Walker and Ms. Nicole.

The 3 Wise Men (Kevin, Walker, & Carter) and Shephard (Conner)

The "Real" Santa

After Anna Grace sang, we headed over to chat with the "Real" Santa. Walker was excited to see him; however, Anna Grace was more interested in the new playground in the middle of the mall. She acted like she didn't want to talk to Santa, so I wasn't going to make her. Walker jumped up on his lap and proceeded to let him know that he wanted a trampoline. (We'll see if his pack is big enough this year for such a large gift.) We mentioned to Santa that we were so excited that he sent one of his elves to visit our house this year. He told us that the elves are very helpful in keeping him up to date kids' good and bad behavior. He said most of them were very neat, but a few tended to be a little messy. All the elf talk got Anna Grace's attention so she decided she better go ahead and make sure he knew what she wanted for Christmas - an American Girl named Emily.

Falalalalalala

Anna Grace's school choir, The Thomas Street Treasures, sang at the Mall on Wednesday. They all have worked so hard over this past semester, and it really showed. They sang 5 or 6 songs and knew all the "moves." Anna Grace and Cameron were dancing partners in the 1st song - "Holiday Spirit." I thoroughly enjoyed watching them sing their little hearts out. It really got me into the Christmas spirit.

A Christmas Carol for You!

Anna Grace was so excited when she came home from piano lessons with a Christmas carol - Jolly Ole Saint Nicholas. She thought it was the best thing to play a song she actually knows! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Our Elf Has Arrived!!

We were about to think that Santa was not going to send one of his special elves to our house this year. We have heard about the elves for weeks and actually saw "Buddy" at my sister's house over Thanksgiving. Anna Grace couldn't wait to get home to see if Santa had sent one to use. But he kept us waiting until the first weekend in December when we spotted him handing in the garland!

Anna Grace is the official "Elf Spotter!" She wakes up every morning and immediately sets out searching for the Elf. Walker goes along with her, but is not as enthusiastic as AG. We have heard that some elves are messy. One friend said her elf left underwear on their Christmas tree! We are very glad that our elf is content to just hang out!

Real or Not Real?

A few weeks ago Anna Grace's school choir sang for the Christmas Tree lighting at Fairpark. It was bitterly cold, but the kids did a wonderful job! Afterwards, we visited Santa cross the street at Monogram It. Anna Grace later declared, "He was not the REAL Santa!" She said he had a fake beard. I asked her where she thought the "real" Santa was. She informed me that he was at the mall, of course! Guess we'll be making a trip to the mall to see the "Real" Santa!

BFFs

Anna Grace's BFF is Cameron. They do everything together at school--even get into trouble from time to time. It's a good thing that Mrs. Bullard decided not to let them sit together in class - they have way too much fun together! Anna Grace and Cameron are like "two peas in a pod." They even have their own BFF handshake!

Making Christmas Memories

We spent this weekend decorating the house for Christmas. The kids were so excited to get the tree up and couldn't wait to start putting on the ornaments. As soon as we got their trees out of the attic, they took them to their rooms and started decorating. The problem was that they forgot to pull down all the branches! So...we started over and the trees looked much better.

Walker decorating his room. (We'll see how long it lasts!)

Anna Grace decorating her room.

After the small trees were decorated, we went on to the big tree. Walker and Anna Grace had a great time finding all of the "special" ornaments. Of course, Walker determined that every ornaments was a "special" ornament! After all the ornaments were in place, the kids helped me wrap a few gifts. Bless Walker's heart...he seemed to think that Christmas is the day after the tree goes up! I had to burst his bubble and explain that we had about 25 more days until Christmas. I think his bottom lip drug the ground for about 30 minutes!
Walker and his new soccer ornament.

AG and her new Hannah Montana ornament.

This afternoon, our church had a special children's fellowship. We make Advent Wreaths for our families to use to celebrate the weeks until Christmas. At one point, I attended a Methodist church, and the Advent Wreath was a special part of the Christmas season. I am so glad that our new Children's Minister decided to use it as a way to explain the different parts of the Christmas story. She will be using it in the children's sermon each Sunday. Anna Grace and I had a wonderful time putting together our very own Advent wreath. I am looking forward to starting this new Christmas tradition with my family.

Thanksgiving

With Christmas just around the corner it is so easy for Thanksgiving to be overlooked. Our family has had a wonderful week just being together--I think we all needed a break. In fact, every morning last week Walker asked, "How many more mornings until we get a break?" Even my very active 5 year old needed a break from our day-to-day routine.

Wednesday we headed to Brandon to spend Thanksgiving with my family. My kids were so excited to see my sister's kids. Anna Grace kept up with and entertained Lily while Walker and Reid ran their little legs off! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal and enjoyed spending time with my brother and his wife, Breisch and Angie. I do wish that we all lived closer.

God has blessed us so richly and to Him we give all our thanks.

SCORE!!!

Last night, we met Josh and Miley (Scott's brother and his wife) for dinner. They had not given Walker a birthday gift and wanted to take him to Toys R Us for him to pick out his gift. Walker was so excited and insisted that Anna Grace come with him (what a sweet brother.) I think we spent about an hour in the toy store. Walker loves everything in there! He finally decided on a basketball game - just like at "Chucky Cheese!" I think Scott may have been more excited about it than Walker! After we put it all together, Scott, Anna Grace and Walker had the best time shooting hoops! It even keeps up with your score and has sound effects when you make a basket! Thanks Josh and Miley for such a great birthday gift for Walker!

Our Little Pilgrim

Walker's Thanksgiving program was this past Friday. There were turkeys, indians and pilgrims singing their little hearts out. I can't believe this is Walker's last Thanksgiving program at day school. It seems like yesterday he was a 2 year old little indian singing in his first program.

Anna Grace's Thanksgiving Feast

Anna Grace and Elizabeth Cameron, Anna Grace & Adrienne Cameron & Anna Grace have become best friends.
Anna Grace's class had their Thanksgiving Feast today. She was excited that Scott came to eat lunch with her. Scott had a great time meeting her new classmates and eating a really good Thanksgiving meal.

It's finally here!!

Since Anna Grace started taking piano lessons in August, we've been trying to work out a time for my parents to bring the piano. This is the same piano my daddy, sister and I all played growing up. Well, my parents were finally able to bring it to us this weekend. Anna Grace was so excited! She has been using a keyboard but was having trouble because the keys were smaller than those on a piano. She enjoyed showing Nana and PopPop all she had learned. PopPop even gave her a few lessons! Walker even liked the piano and informed us that he wanted to take lessons too. We'll see how long his interest lasts!

No More Training Wheels!!!

While my parents were here this weekend, Anna Grace asked to take her training wheels off her bike. Of course, Walker piped up that he wanted his off, too. So they both helped PopPop remove the training wheels and gave it a try. I was very surprised by how quickly they got the hang of it. Of course, it was the coldest day of the year, and we were all freezing! But they wanted to practice all afternoon. When Scott got home, he worked with them on "take offs." By the end of the afternoon they had a few crashes, but were able to take off and keep riding without any help. Maybe learning to drive will be as easy!!!