Big Church

Today was a big day for Jack, although we didn't know it when we left for church this morning. We knew our church was having an abbreviated day. No 8:00am service or Sunday school, only the 10:30am service and no church tonight. However, we didn't know that also meant NO NURSERY for the 10:30am service. In fact, no one knew. So imagine all of our surprise when we showed up at church with our children and the nursery hall was dark. So, I took Jack to big church with us and he did great!! John and I were so nervous that I don't think we can recall one thing the preacher said. There was a chorus of babies scattered all around the church, laughing, talking, crying. Jack babbled a little bit. He ate his goldfish and had some juice. He burped really loud and got tickled and that got us tickled. We made it until the last 15 minutes and the only reason he and I got up then was because we had a juice mishap and had to go find paper towels. At that point, there were a lot of parents walking the halls with their babies. We are so proud of Jack, he did great! Now we will feel a little more comfortable if we ever have to do it again, but we hope we don't have to anytime soon. Below is a picture of him before we left for church in his red dog sweater. It's not a very good picture. He moves around so much right now and it's getting harder to get a good picture.

Christmas

Happy Day After Christmas!! I hope everyone had a great Christmas. We had a great day and a great week. I'll warn you now, this is a long post, with a lot of pictures. In fact, I have tried up-loading so many pictures to Blogger that now my Blogger account is running slow and acting crazy! Some pictures just deleted themselves. Needless to say, I have taken a lot of pictures this week!! So, I deleted some more pictures and decided to make this a two part post. Jack received so many wonderful gifts (and we are so thankful), I want to show them all! But tonight I'm just showing our family get togethers, because that was the very best part. Stay tuned to the second half coming in a day or two!

I have had the same mantel decorations for a few

years now. I really wanted a change. My mom

decorated it for me this year and I love it!!

Our tree. We have been very lucky this year,

Jack didn't pay any attention to this tree,

or the one in his room.

Our Elf, Scout, hard at work!

Wednesday, we invited Aunt Betty, McKenzie

and Matt over for a little Christmas party.

A couple of years ago, Betty and I decided not to

exchange gifts with each other. Instead we would take

the kids out for lunch a few days before Christmas.

This year we changed it up even more

and decided to meet at one of our homes to let the kids play

and for a nice long visit. We had a great time!! I really look

forward to this part of Christmas!

Rocky Road Fudge

My sister, Nicole, made this for us and I LOVE it!

It's Santa's belt. We had fun counting down the

days until Christmas.

Sausage balls and pigs-in the- blanket

(or little hot dogs as Matt likes to call them.)

Cheese and crackers - a favorite of Jack's!

Mock Mimosa's.

Orange juice, ginger ale and a cherry!

Every time we looked up, Matt

had a little hot dog in his mouth.

I believe he enjoyed himself most of all.

We give each other's children books for Christmas.

Their gift to Jack is one I'll tell you about in my next post.

(It's wonderful!)

HO-HO-Ho

Santa has arrived!

The tent was Jack's "Biggy" from Santa.

He loves it! We were afraid he would be

scared at first, but he went right through

the tunnel and into the tent as soon as he saw it.

A lot of Elmo.

Calling to see what Santa brought his friends.

He loves his Elmo!!

Tickling Elmo.

Trying to break into his

goldfish holder to see if Santa

included the goldfish!

So excited about his new DVD.

Like I said, my computer is acting crazy tonight.

I don't know how this picture got in the

mix with the Christmas Day pictures. This is

Jack watching for Santa before he went to bed

on Christmas Eve.

Will someone please help Mimi with this camera?

Jack gave Mimi and Papa a calender

of himself for Christmas. Jack, Austin and

Sara Brooke also gave one to Bebe and Grand Daddy.

Needless to say they were a big hit with the grandparents.

Cookie

Uncle Sam

Mimi didn't know I had taken this picture

until it was too late!

I'll help you Cookie!!!

Austin, Sara Brooke and Jack

Bebe and Grand Daddy with the

grand children!

Bebe and her grand babies!!

Sara Brooke proudly displaying her

new American Girl doll.

Stay tuned for the second part of our Christmas!!!

Coming SOON!!!