Christmas Eve in Madison

Michael and I were able to be back home in time to enjoy lots more food, family, and fun on Christmas Eve. It was so good to see everyone again and to play with the kids. We missed Renee, Al, Bobby, Sam, Eric, Beth, Meghan, Max, and Michael; but they have quite a distance to travel, and boy do we understand!!



Ben was so good with McKinsey.



I knew Mike would find her for most of the night!



Michelle is such a good Mom!!



Abigail was hitched to Grandma "Baum" for the evening.



You could easily find Aaron on the side playing with his new toys.



Oliver (our Great-nephew) was just getting rested for his second wind.



Austin was hard to catch for a photo.



Seven out of nine ain't bad!! Grace was standing in for Renee.

Christmas at Papa & Granny's

Wow!! What a wonderful Christmas we had this year. Michael and I drove to Arkansas to visit my family last Saturday. We had a great time. Lots of food (of course), and lots of family!! It was so nice to be with my step-families as well. Rob, Rebecca, Caleb, and the twins (Luke and Joshua) were there, and Jason, Jennifer, Daniel, and Micah. Crystal looked great as always. It was so good to get to see everyone and how big the kids have grown. We sure did miss Scott, Brandi, Preston, Kaylee, and Lane this year. My brothers, Gene and Kelley were also able to be there with their families as well. I can see Mom now saying "Oh, this is so much fun!"




One of the many pictures we took of all the kids together.





Micah and his gun.



Kameron and Justin



Caleb looking cute in his cowboy hat too.



Mason and Justin "working it out" on the slide.



Kate as a cowgirl princess. (Her favorite thing to be a Granny and Papa's)



They sure look cute and quiet here...



Mom and David got all the kids these head lamps, they were really cute. Daniel sported his most of the day.



Shelby just had her tonsils and adenoids removed earlier that week. She was a trooper and so cuddly with Aunt Angie!!

Merry Christmas!!

Hope you all have a wonderful time getting ready for the holidays. Michael and I are in the Christmas spirit this year!! Just click the link below and see how much we love Christmas.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9558855038

We Are In Love!!

Michael and I got to spend a wonderful weekend watching McKinsey. She is Michelle (Mike's twin sister) and her husband Tim's newest foster baby. She is so sweet. We had a blast taking her everywhere with us Saturday and Sunday. She was so good. Who knew that a dose of a 17 month old would get us so attached. We still miss her and will keep her any chance we get!! We are definitely in love with her!



That was the best when she would open her mouth so wide for a bite of Uncle Michael's eggs.



So much personality.



Michael didn't want to let her go!!



Watch out everyone for the police car!








This nice lady offered to take a picture of our "family" for us. Awww.

Time to Catch Up

From Mason's 8th Birthday to spending a week with my parents, I have a lot of catching up to do!! I missed Noah's party, sorry bud. But Uncle Mike said it was a lot of fun, unfortunately he forgot to take my camera :(



Sure can't believe how old Mason is. (Rather, how old I am now!!)



Mom took me to the Branson Landing. There are a lot of great stores and beautiful landscaping. I can't wait to take Michael there the next time we come to visit.



This is Buck. He is one of three miniture horses my parents have for the grandkids to ride.



This is Tiny. She is so cute. She found my parents and they fell in love with her, now she is a farm dog. Mom will have to send me pictures of Daisy, her big sister. She probably weighs in 20 pounds heavier.



This is their barn. It is really pretty. Corey, Hannah, and Sally are out in front.



This is Rusty. He is another mini.



I came home to a beautiful bathroom floor and awesome efficient toilet. Great job Sweatheart!!



Also, Michael is putting up crown molding. It looks beautiful, but doesn't look like much fun figuring out how to install it. My husband can do anything.

Hopefully next time I post it won't be such a mix of everything. Oh well, at least I finally updated!!

2nd Grade = 1st Rate

I went to watch Mason play soccer last Saturday. It was so much fun. I got to spend time with Justin, Kate, and Gene as well. We had a fun morning. The kids grow so fast. Now I know why that when I was a kid, why adults said those silly things like "I'm going to put a rock on your head so you stop growing so fast" and "you're growing just like a weed". Things do make more sense as we grow older.




Mason is so cute in his uniform.



Mason having "bench" time and social hour!!




Mason throwing the ball into play.



Just one of the many action shots of the game.



Baby Kate definitely has a 'ham' bone!



I think she gets it from Justin!!



Rainbow slushy anyone?

Yay for Tile!

The tile is down, just waiting for the grout!! Can't wait to get the tub out of the dining room!

Blogger Slacker

Sorry I've been such a slacker lately. A month has gone by since I've updated--don't give up on me guys!! We just haven't been up to much. We did go to the Balloon Glow a few weeks ago, and it was cool. Except for the fact that I spent almost the entire time in line for a port-a-potty! Michael was so sweet and hung out with Sophie and Taspen while waiting on me. I am fascinated by hot air balloons and would love to go up in one some day. The hot air balloon race was the next day, but I had to work, so I didn't get to see the sky filled with balloons. But it was nice to get out and enjoy the evening that night.

Labor Day Weekend

Our friends from church, Nate & Becky, invited us to spend the weekend at Lake of the Ozarks. Nate's dad has access to the oldest all oak lodge that sleeps 16 comfortably. So we maxed out the place with 7 of us couples plus Nate's parents (and Bogie). We had a blast. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful. Here are a few pics.



This is all of our husbands, it was hard to get them all to look directly into my camera!



This is all of us girls. My eyes are closed as usual, but everyone else looks great!



Me and Andrea in the front of the boat.



Jenny and Brian also in the front.



Alan, Angie, Bogie, Jeff, Heather, and Lindsey.



Mike looking hot on the water!



Nate and Mike. Aren't they cute together?