The BIG DAY was Finally Here!! - Christmas Morning!

We sent Santa an email this year explaining how to get to Granna's house for Christmas. We spent the night at Davy's parents' house Christmas Eve this year.

That night Santa's Little Helpers (thanks - Jennifer for the help!) were very busy putting stuff out and deciding how we were going to get everything in the perfect spot.

This is what the place looked like after Santa finished his job -- my oh my what a job it was!!


The morning arrived -- and I had to wake the kids up!! I use to wake up at like 6am on Christmas morning --and I would lay in bed and wait for mom and dad to give us the all clear! Not my boys -- they were dead to the world. I had to try 3 or 4 times to get Carson up! But once they were up and going -- they didn't know where to begin. We had asked family not to give them a bunch of toys this year -- b/c #1 they have toooo many toys already & #2 Santa was going to be bringing them some rather LARGE toys this year (so we already had to find somewhere for that stuff to go -- we didn't want to add anymore).

Still half asleep - the boys were in hoho shock!!

Santa's helpers had a struggle putting together some Power Ranger Megazord (both the boys got one). They need better instructions for this (so Santa's Helpers thought!). Carson picked his up.. and knew exactly what to do with it! Barrett enjoyed playing with his Diego Adventure House -- so did Baby Ayla!!

Barrett really enjoyed his Power Ranger Megazord -- we got to hear the voices and all!The boys got an in-line (I think that is what it is called) race track -- I think Davy put in his wish list too. Although the boys LOVE IT! They love it almost as much as their Wii -- this is a wonderful family game set by the way.
Family Fun with the Wii -- sorry about Carson's attire -- he refused to get fully dressed!!

Now to the next stop -- Davy's Parents!!

So Christmas Eve morning -- we had a usually brunch at my parents River House -- then off we went to the next stop -- The Moores' House. First we had to drive home - swap cars - load up again -- then on to Ark.

We arrive in Ark. to an assortment of great snacks. Later that evening we decided to open gifts -- OH MY!! Enough said!!

The kids had a BALL opening all their gifts. Even Ayla (Davy's sister's little girl) enjoyed opening her gifts!!

THE BIG GIFTS ARRIVED!! - Shirley and David got the boys some Pottery Barn Chairs for the play room. They are GREAT!!

Now for the rest of the story!

So after my boys passed out their wonderful gifts -- the rest of the family was able to enjoy opening and sharing some of there special gifts. My boys enjoyed opening their presents as well. I will have to give it to their Gigi & Connie -- the boys enjoyed theirs the best - (well the rest of the family gave the boys some great clothes -- which I love and the boys will enjoy too!) Thanks mom and Rogers.

The boys enjoyed giving Grandmamma her gift!
And MiMi and Pop received some family pictures from family!

Barrett enjoyed opening this gift from Gigi - a PlayMobil Pirate SetDavy was greatly surprised to receive gifts from the family -- we weren't going to swap this year!! Little did he know -- we did some shopping on our own!!


THE BIGGEST & BEST GIFT of the NIGHT ....... Grandmamma's

Grandaddy gave her a beautiful diamond bracelet -- it was sooo pretty! Ever girls dream -- "To Be Showered with Diamonds!!

What A Wonderful Christmas!!!

WHERE OH WHERE TO BEGIN???
I guess I will just try and give a run down of the whole 5 day experience (yes - you read it - 5 DAYS!!) Can we say "present high" for the boys? They wake up now asking - "Where are the presents?"

We started our Christmas 2007 Tour at my parents River House. My extended family (except the Simmons) were all there -- even my Uncle Burrell -- we haven't seen him in 8 years. We were sooo glad he shared this experience with us. My boys LOVED HIM!!!

We got there around noon on Sat. to a huge Christmas Dinner. Then after we cleaned up, took naps, and eyed the gifts -- we decided to tackle that 2 hour task. The boys enjoy "shopping" in my "recycled" gifts for the family. They enjoyed passing out these gifts to family members. Oh - I forgot to mention -- Barrett decorated the bags himself - and his clothes - and my carpet. We don't do well with markers just yet.

The first gift of the night was to cousin Em. She looks real excited doesn't she? Not real sure, but I think she hated that bubble wrap that Barrett was enjoying soo much!


Here is one with their Gigi - Barrett was very proud of this gift -- he even wrapped it!


My grandaddy loved his special gift from his "Jim Barrett" as he calls him!

Gingerbread House Making!!

Carson's class made Gingerbread Houses for the Holidays. The parents were asked to bring different things to make this day very special for the kids. My mother-in-law came in from Ark. to help Carson with this. I got to come down there for the last little bit of the activity. He had a great time -- and we THANK Granna for driving all this way to make his day even more special.

We are now exploring the game of basketball -- whose child is he? -- Not mine!! lol

Well - Well - Well -- Carson came home a few weeks ago and decided he wanted to try basketball. I guess he thinks he has to much time on his hands. Anyway, we decided that we would let him try it out -- reminding him that I knew nothing (other than how to get thrown out for fouls -- oh the glory days of Sig. basketball) about basketball. Neither does old Dave.


He has had a couple of practice -- that of which we were a good 15-20 mins. LATE. He is on a team with some of his friends from school -- so he enjoys getting to play with them.


The true test was last Thursday night when they had their 1st ballgame. My-oh-my-oh-my he is my child --- enough said. All kidding aside -- this is his first time to ever play. If you would like to come watch this wonderful event -- let me know and I will get you a schedule of game times -- or I might put a clip on my blog!!

New Pictures!!!!

Here are the latest pictures of the boys -- the pictures in orange are made back in August -- the pictures made in green were made a couple of weeks ago. We used several of the pictures in Christmas Cards!
Click on the link below:
www.acmphotography.net/boys2007

Merry Christmas to ALL -- BOY I am already TIRED!!

I can't believe that it is already Christmas time! Where has time gone? We have been so busy with the boys -- blogging has not been on my top list of things to do -- will have to do better :)

We have been busy beavers decorating our house for the holidays! Our children REALLY got involved this year!It seemed like every ornament we hung -- they would take off -- play with it a little while -- hang back on the tree -- sneak it off again (ya'll know the drill). We probably have 2-3 ornaments broken -- but that just means more stories to tell as they get older.

Carson would always say -- "It is suppose to come off -- don't worry bout it!"


Tonight, we went to the "Santa Show" in Henderson - the boys and I did. They each climbed up in Santa's lap and said NOTHING!!! Well, I take that back Carson asked him for a Wii game system -- but Barrett did not say a word. He was excited about the $1 - gift he got full of GUM -- which was gone before I got back home!!

Carson looks real excited :)

At pre-school -- he had a "Cars" cupcake cake -- with LOTS of SUGAR!! The teachers probably hated me when I took my child and left the other "sugar high" kids there!

Sunday -- Barrett had a sports party! My friend made the basketball cake for me (it was wonderful!).

Barrett IS THREE!!

My baby is growing up! Saturday he turned 3 years old. He had his first party at pre-school on Friday. I was able to go up there and cupcakes for the kids (wonderful purks to being 1/2 mile away from him!). Then on Sunday (18th) we had his friend party, and during Thanksgiving break -- we will have a family party. I am not real sure -- but I never had that many parties. I will add a view pictures from the first two parties!

Veteran's Day Dinner @ Church

Carson served at the Veteran's Day Dinner tonight at church. He was so proud of himself! The parents prepare the food, but the children are the ones that serve (all-drinks included) to the Veterans. My stay was cut short due to little man (Barrett) having one of his melt downs -- so a friend brought Carson home.

I am a single mother this week -- Davy is in Ark. hunting :(!

Halloween

The boys had a wonderful time trunk-or-treating at our church on the Saturday before Halloween, and then on Wednesday (Halloween Day) we went to Henderson to trick-or-treat at the grandparents house. They love going there!!