Christmas 2009

We started off the week with making Aunt Precie and Aunt Karmen's sugar cookies for F.H.E. Daddy was working so he didn't get to participate in this new Christmas tradition, hoopefully he will be able to next year! On Christmas Eve, we went to see a movie and then came home to make our infamous home-made pizza! (thanks Aunt Karmen for teaching us!) Each year we let the kids open one gift on Christmas Eve. They were soooo excited even though the older ones new it would be pajamas!! We also have a tradition of getting a new ornament each year. Daddy and I try to get each child one that represents what they have done through out the year. I think we did well!! After hanging the ornaments we made cookies for Santa and then it was time for the kids to go to bed! The kids have their own tradition of sleeping altogether in the bunk beds in the boys room.(although Peighton has sworn it over with after this year!!) I have to give the kids some credit as they did allow Tim and I to sleep until 9:00 on Christmas morning!! They had a blast opening thier gifts and around 2:00 Aunt Raina and Uncle Scott came over with more presents! Daddy had to work that night so mom and Aunt Raina and Uncle Scott set off with the kids to visit Grommie and Papa. On the way there, we pass the Benningfield Cemetery so we visited Grandmommie's grave site, shed a little tears, and took a few pictures. We miss you so much Grandmommie! Merry Christmas!!

During the sugar cookie making, Peighton had an accident! (NOT! she just got into the red food coloring!)
Kami showing off her work of art!

Of course I had to make a Batman cookie for Nolan. I think he did a great job decorating it!

Nolan and Ashton

Kami and Peyton

Nolan made some reindeer food at school and was determined to sprinkle it on the lawn on Christmas Eve!

Getting ready to open Christmas Eve presents!

Showing off their new pj's!

Peighton's ornament

Coltin's ornament

Kami's ornament

Nolan didn't want to hang his ornaments! He wanted to play with them instead!

The Family ornament!

Cheese!!!!

Delicious!

Caught in action!

Daddy was soooo excited to eat his pepperoni, sausage, banana pepper, and cheese pizza!

My annual kids on the stairs picture! They have to pose for me before they are allowed to come downstairs Christmas morning!

Zoey found a comfortable spot under the tree and watched everyone open presents!

Christmas morning!

Peighton loves New Moon!

Coltin has been needing and wanting a bag to carry his basketball shoes and clothes in. I had his name embroidered on the other side!

Yea! A scarf and hat to keep me warm!

Coltin got the PSP he asked for!

Nolan got the Batman sword he asked for!

Peighton got the video camera she asked for!

Kami got the scooter she asked for!

Aunt Raina and Uncle Scott got Coltin a game and some movies for his PSP.

Nolan LOVES the new clothes Dad and Mom got him!

Aunt Raina and Uncle Scott got Kami sapphire(her birthstone) earrings and necklace.

They gave Peighton a netbook/laptop.

Visiting Grandmommie's grave.

Sweetness

Nolan and I sit waiting for his bus to come every morning by ourselves. I enjoy this time as it gives us a few quiet moments to ourselves to just talk. Our conversations usually go something like this, "Mom, can I be a car rider today?" or "Do I have to wear a big coat?" But there are the special moments that I really can see his little mind turning and he asks me such sweet and innocent questions like this:

Nolan- "Mom, do flowers go to Heaven when they die?"

Mom-"I believe they do Nolan because Heaven is such a beautiful place that I can only imagine that flowers HAVE to be there."

Nolan- "Good because Grandmommie loves flowers!"


Even though he struggles to understand the death of his Great-Grandmother(Grandmommie), I feel as though it is through him and my other children that I find peace and comfort when I am having a hard day or moment. He has also asked me if she would look the same after she came back alive to which I replied that I thought so, except that she would be perfect and healthy in every way. He then touched me again by saying, "Good, cuz I want her to play baseball with me again someday!" I am so thankful that my children had the opportunity to be with her and make many memories as I have, that will last a lifetime until we can all one day be together again and make many more!!