Budding Chef

Walker absolutely loved omelets!  When we visit my family in Brandon he always likes to help make breakfast.  He can actually do almost all of it by himself...crack the eggs, whisk them, and even flip the omelet! Maybe one day he'll learn to grill steaks like his Daddy!!

Shooting Some Hoops

This is Walker's 1st year to be able to play church league basketball.  He was so excited about his 1st game!  Lots of his friends are on his team - even his cousin Sam! 

 Devotion and prayer at half time.

 Sam had some good moves on the court!  Right after this picture was taken,

 he bounce passed the ball to Walker, and he got a basket!

 We are so glad that Walker and Sam are on the same team!  They have such a great time playing ball together!

One Starry Night

Our church hosted an event for the children called "One Starry Night" which was a set up to resemble Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born.  We entered at the City Gate and were given money in order to enter the different areas of the city.  During the night a shepherd told everyone about the star she had seen in the sky that was over the place where the Christ child was born. 

  They made and stuffed pillow cases.

 They learned about toy making in Biblical times.

 They crafted a baby out of clay and wrapped him in swaddling clothes.

  Even Daddy took part as one of the wise men.

 What a wonderful way to help us realize that the significance of Christmas is that the Christ child was born.  The one who was promised for hundreds of years had finally come.  He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings and He willingly became a tiny baby so that He could be the perfect sacrifice for each one of us.  Glory to God in the Highest!

Christmas Baking Tradition

Over the past seveal years Anna Grace and I have made different candies during Christmas holidays.  Her all time favorite is Oreo Balls.  She loves them so much  that I think she could eat a whole batch by herself!

Rolling

                                                                             Dipping

                                                                           Enjoying!

These yummy candies take a little bit of time to make, but Anna Grace and I don't mind.  We have such a good time talking and laughing that the time seems to fly by! 

2nd grade Cazy Christmas Party

Walker's class had a crazy fun Christmas party right before school was out.  They had a feast with pizza, wings, cupcakes, cookies, chips and dip, and loads of candy.  They watched a movie and then the boys serenaded us wth the song "Grenade."  The girls didn't want to be left out and so they serenaded us with "Single Ladies."  They all were so cute!  Then they posed for lots of pictures! 

                                  I am so glad Walker is in a class that is so sweet, but all so fun!

Sounds of Christmas

Anna Grace & Walker both did a little Christmas singing with their schools choirs.  Walker's 2nd grade pod sang at the Mall and did a wonderful job. 

 Walker and his teacher Ms. Siddell.  We couldn't have picked a better 2nd grade teacher than Ms. Siddell!

                                        The 4th and 5th grade choir sang on night at the school. 
                                  They did a fabulous job and really got us in the Christmas spirit.

                                                        A bright white Christmas smile!!!

No More Metal Mouth!!

Anna Grace was not supposed to get her braces off until early January, but I rescheduled her appointment for the middle of December and didn't tell her!  I was planning on telling her after we took Walker to school that morning, but ended up telling her the night before.  I knew she would be surprised and excited, but I didn't expected her to be nervous!  She worried all night that it was going to hurt!  She finally a friend who had recently gotten her braces off and was reassured that it was not painful!  Bless her heart...AG just doesn't do well with the unknown!   

 Thankfully, it didn't hurt!  She was really surprised by how big her teeth looked without braces!  They also left some room for more permanent teeth to come in.  Next set of braces to come in 18 months! But for now she'll enjoy gum, caramels, popcorn and all the other foods she wasn't supposed to eat for the past year!

North Mississippi Christmas Festival

Anna Grace and Walker were part of our church's Christmas Festival this year.  Anna Grace was the angel in the nativity, and Walker was one of the drummer boys.  It was a simple production this year without any major drama, but it was extremely moving and reminded us of the true reason for Christmas.. that God humbled himself and came into this world as a baby.  Thank you Lord for your perfect gift!

                 Anna Grace was thrilled that should was asked to carry in the baby who played Jesus.

                                                         Mary Ashton & Anna Grace

                             The drummer boys did an excellent job...brought tears to my eyes!

It's Looking Like Christmas!

We spent the weekend after Thanksgiving getting the house decorated for Christmas.  The kids love helping to decorate our family tree.  We talk about all their special ornaments.  Every year we give the kids an ornament that shows something they did or really liked that year.  It's so much fun to pull out each of these sweet ornaments ...like the year Walker loved Bob the Builder or when Anna Grace loved to dress up like Cinderella.  This year Anna Grace's ornament was a cheerleader since she is cheering with Dallas Cheer Academy.  Walker's ornament was a football player because he really enjoys watching and playing football this year.

 The kids got new and bigger trees this year.  They were running out of room on their tinsel trees for all their ornaments.

                         It was a lot of fun decorating Anna Grace's white tree! I think it fits her to a "T"!

                                    Walker's tree is perfect for him with an MSU/sports theme! 

Our finished tree

                                                                         and mantel

John the Elf arrived on Dec. 1st to much excitement from Anna Grace & Walker!