What a Difference a Year Makes

2008 was quite a year, to say the least. We went through so many changes as a family, each of them making us grow together. Looking back at James' deployment with the Marine Corps, I can now say that I am thankful that God gave us that. Yes, it was hard. Yes, it was trying. But the lessons that I took away from that time are so priceless. I learned that I am a strong wife and Mommy. My faith is ever growing, and my children got to witness that first hand. I am so very thankful for these two precious gifts that we have been blessed with. I never dreamed that I would ever know such a true, perfect love! I pulled up my picture folders from one year ago...just to see where we were...and where we are now! Look at these sweet faces!

May your New Year be blessed!

Blow it out!

At our house, Colton has only seen candles from afar...I only keep them up really, really high. Well at Granny's, she had some special ones out for Christmas and when she lit one that was at eye level to Colton, he thought he'd keep us all safe and try to blow it out. Little did he know, it was in a glass jar...with a ceramic top on it. Bless his little heart! This is just priceless! (I know it's really dark and you can hear James talking in the background, but I think you can get the jist...)

Christmas Fun!

It has always been tradition, even when James and I were dating, newlyweds, and Kennedie was a newborn, that we all stay at my parent's house on Christmas Eve. This has always been such a fun time and something that we all look forward to each and every year! Well, Colton decided to break a new record this year and get up extra early. Well, Kennedie heard him and soon the entire house was up! James was scheduled to work at the fire station on Christmas Day, so we had planned to do our Christmas early anyway (so it worked out well!). Mom was so sweet to make her wonderful Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, especially for James, since he missed it last year. Here's a great picure of Kennedie's face as she came out of the room!

And here's Colton with his new workbench! He ran right to it! He was literally shaking with excitement!!! Apple kept asking me if he was cold...he was just so excited about the tools!!!

Kennedie has been wanting an ironing board of her very own and when Santa heard that there was one that matched her pink kitchen set...well, let's just say it was a lucky day!

He set his chocolate milk right up there on his work bench, then found a present that was just the right size to sit on...too funny!

And, if he looks a little excited about this next gift....that's because HE IS! And, so are all the other boys in the house! It's a Nerf M60 Machine gun...voted toy of the year, and it has not been put down yet! The adults are playing with it, the kids are fighting over it, James is setting up cups, dolls, toys, anything he can thing of...just to shoot down! It has not gotten old!

And this last sweet picture...just about melted my heart! I just happened to look over and C had gotten into her lap, with no prompting, to check out his new big wheel from Apple. Is that not precious???

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

Sweet Decorations...

Before it's time to start taking the Christmas decorations down, I thought I'd share the kid's new ornaments with you. As part of our family tradition, they get a new one each year. This year, K got a cooking mit full of cooking utensils...I thought it was quite appropriate for her! And C is very into Handy Manny, and we found this cute one for him!

And here's 2 more of my favorites that I just thought I'd share...just because!

Merry Christmas to all!

We had a wonderful Christmas surrounded by our family. It is such a great feeling knowing that James is here with us this year. Having 2 young children has made the holidays such a fun time for all of us. I'll be posting many more pictures in the next few days, so stay tuned!

One year ago...

This picture scrolled through my digital picture frame last night...it was taken at the Gaylord last year...one of my favorites! Look at that chubby 9 month old Colton and that oh so happy big sister Kennedie! Hard to believe that was 1 entire year ago. James was away in Iraq. I was here alone, about to do Christmas without him. Crazy how time seemed to stand still then, but has flown by now, looking back. {Somehow I managed to squeeze an extra 15 minutes into my Sunday morning before church...I guess laying our clothes out last night paid off! And, we're even going to the early service!} *patting myself on the back* =)

Blog makeover anyone???

Just stumbled upon this fabulous site and she just happens to be giving away a free blog makeover!!! Go to her site asap and you too can enter to win! Go check her out at Fabulous K Creative Blog Designs at the link below:
http://fabulouskcreative.blogspot.com/2008/12/fabulous-blog-makeover-giveaway.html

And, good luck to us both! =)

Kelli

Most Handsomest

One of Kennedie's friends had a fun little party at her house this past weekend and invited our family, so Colton got to wear his new sweater that Granny made him. We had to take a picture of him in in since he looked so very handsome! I was telling him to say Cheese, and he struck this pose...all on his own! What a ham!!! Granny did such a great job on his sweater...we all agree that his is indeed, the most handsomest!

Jewish Miracles

The kids and I drove by the hospital where Colton was born the other day, and Kennedie asked why there were so many cars parked outside of it. I told her that there were probably many sick people, people visiting the sick people, doctors caring for the sick people, and since that is where brother was born, probably a lot of miracles from God right in that very hospital! Without skipping a beat she said, "just like the miracle, of Hanukah!"
I thought I was going to wreck the car! Where in the world did she hear this?! She even repeated it that night! I called our pastor the next day, just to give him a laugh. Come to find out, she said they talked about it on Handy Manny, one of their favorite cartoons. She is just too much!

New digital scrapper...

I've heard such great things about all this digital scrapbooking, so I looked into it...and decided to do our Christmas card this way! It was SO EASY! Here's one of the 2 I did this year. I'm in the middle of addressing them now, so be looking for yours!

This is what it's all about...

A Whitehouse Weekend

We spent Thanksgiving weekend in Whitehouse (just outside of Tyler) with James' family. Here are a few pictures...
Colton spotted the riding lawnmower from across the yard, made a beeline to it, and climbed right up on it! So, Daddy took him for a spin.

Some of the cousins on the trampoline...Kennedie's not quite sure about it...

Colton loves his Grampa!

Gingerbread House

While we were in Tyler over the Thanksgiving weekend, Kennedie got a gingerbread house kit from her Grandma and Grandpa Davis. She could hardly wait to get home and put it together. I helped her just a tiny bit with the icing and she did all the rest. She did a great job. I really think her favorite part was eating it though!

My Little Pie Maker

Every Thanksgiving, we make a special trip to Granny's house so that Kennedie can "help" make the pumpkin pies. Well, this year brother seemed very interested in why the chair was pushed up to the counter...he thought it was for him! So, Granny got an extra chair, bowl and spoon, just for Colton. In his (plastic) bowl, she put rainbow mini marshmallows!! Yum yum! He stirred and stirred and munched and munched! It was so cute! He watched sister stir her pie mix, then he'd stir his marshmallows a little more. Tell me, could he be any cuter?!

Mosaic Birthday Party

For Kennedie's birthday this year, we went to this cool Mosaic store where we usually go for our Mommy and Kennedie days. It was right up her ally and she had a great time! Here's a few pictures from her day.

K and B...BFF's

Kennedie lost her 1st tooth!

Well, it happened! Kennedie turned 5 and the very next day...she lost her 1st tooth! It was loose for several weeks!!! She would just barely wiggle it and then say, "it's just not ready yet." At one point, she even let Daddy wrap a little floss around it (but it kept slipping right off). The night after her birthday, she was brushing her teeth with her electric toothbrush =) and she yelled OW! I ran in there, thinking that maybe she swallowed it. No, she just brushed over it too hard. Then she did it again! Well, it was just enough, because the poor little tooth was just dangling there. (And by the way, Mommy DOES NOT DO LOOSE TEETH!) Luckily, Daddy was home!!! He got a piece of napkin, and gave it one tiny little tug and it was out. She has the cutest little smile. She tucked her little tooth into her new tooth fairy doll's dress pocket. She got up about 5 times and came into our room, confused about why her tooth was still in the pocket and there wasn't a coin in there yet. (Oops, guess we forgot to explain that one!) So after that, she finally fell asleep, and woke up the next morning to $5! Those first teeth are the priciest, from what I hear! Here's a few cute pics from the fun night...

No words needed....

He dried his tears long enough to attempt a smile for the camera...precious boy!