Zing, Zang, Zoom!!!!!!

We surprised the kids with a trip to the circus this weekend. They had absolutely NO idea where we were going until we parked across the street from the elephants. If you click on the picture above, it will enlarge so you can see the elephants behind them.
We arrived an hour early for the "all access pass" to mingle with the ringmaster, clowns, and performers. Above, they are trying on clown costumes.

C as a magician

Z as a magician

M as a magician

Z, C, and M showing their muscles and mean faces with one of the "Bad guys". (Actually, Z is giving a thumbs up b/c she liked the bad guys.

Opening act of the circus

Two women were shot out of cannons across the arena

The elephant act

The tiger act

Another cast!!

Those ugly toes don't belong to C. They belong to my sweet hubby. He hurt his heel/foot playing basketball this past Thursday. He went to the doctor yesterday and they believe he has torn his Achilles tendon. Needless to say, he is in a lot of pain and gets to sport this lovely cast, along with a boot cast like C wore a few months ago. He goes to have a MRI tomorrow to find out the full extent of the damage. What I am going to do with these boys??

Zoo Day!

Since the rain had finally stopped and the sun came out, my friend T and I decided to meet up this past Friday with the kids for a fun day at the zoo. This is the best picture I could get of these wiggle worms!

Weekend in Nashville

C, Daddy, and Z making silly faces at Ruby Tuesdays on our way up to Nashville.
Mommy and M making sweet faces.

C wanted to take a picture of his mac 'n cheese lunch. He actually took this picture himself.

M then took a picture of her turkey burgers and fries.

And Z took a picture of her shrimp and fries.

M, Daddy, Z, and C on the back seat of the tour bus at the Jack Daniels Distillery.

The kids posing with good 'ole Jack Daniel.

Cave springs---were they get the pure water to make the liquor

This a tower of whiskey bottles from the Single Barrel Reserve Room. A barrel can range in cost from $9000 to $12,000.

The reason for our trip to Nashville was to see Daddy's second cousin, Lauren wed Brad. There the happily married couple poses with Lauren's parents.

Clowning around with the cousins. Our kids LOVED hanging out with them.

Cutting of the cake

All of the kids waiting to taste a bite of the wedding cake. C waited so patiently for it and when they cut it, he said, "Finally!! I've been starving for some cake!". Needless to say, the entire room erupted in laughter.

More family hanging out and chatting.

We had a great time in Nashville this past weekend. We left on Friday so we could take time to visit the Jack Daniel's Distillery. It was a great tour and the kids actually enjoyed it too. Ben could have lived in the Barrel House b/c of the smell of liquor and the kids thought it smelled "stinky".

On Sat., we went to the wedding of Daddy's 2nd cousin, Lauren. It was a very simple and beautiful wedding. This was the 1st wedding that the kids had ever been too. M loved every moment of it. Z seemed a little bored and C did what most boys do in church.....got in trouble!!!

After the wedding, we went back to Daddy's 1st cousin's house, along with about 40 other family members, and had dinner together. It was so awesome to see his family and catch up all night.

On Sunday, we went to the hotel where most of the wedding party was staying and had a worship service with his family around the pool. It was awesome and you could feel God's presence everywhere. The best part of the service is when they asked if anyone had a song they would like to sing (meaning a worship song), C raised his hand and said, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat". We all happily sang it as C acting as an orchestrator. It was too cute!!!

Christmas Day

Daddy, PePaw, and Uncle B putting the kids' new trampoline together. This was a gift from Uncle B, PePaw, and MeMaw. The kids LOVE it.
Uncle K helping C and Z play with C's new table football game.

M with her new Bella Dancarella mat and bar that she got from Santa.

PePaw and Uncle B

We were so happy to have MeMaw, Pepaw, my brothers (Uncle B and Uncle K) spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with us. We were also joined later on Christmas morning by MiMi and PaPa. We had such a great day and unfortunately, I took most of the pictures with my 35mm camera. I will try and post some of them later.

The kids were really into Santa this year but quickly reminded anyone that it was also Jesus' Birthday. They loved all of their presents and loved having family here even more!!

We went to Atlanta 2 days after Christmas to celebrate with Daddy's brother and his family. Again, I took pictures with my 35mm camera and not the digital.

Christmas service at church

Daddy, me, MiMi, Papa, Z, C, and M posing in front of

the beautiful Christmas tree at our church.

Family Photo!

Our family lighting the 4th Advent candle

The kids as angels and a drummer boy for the Christmas Cantata

Our little drummer boy and angels

M and Z now have their wings!!!

Evening with Santa

Wednesday night at church, the kids got a surprise visit from Santa. M and C are in his lap and Z is in front of them.
C was very happy to tell Santa that he wanted pirate Lego's and the Bat cycle (which is part of a Batman castle set)

Z just copied M and said she wanted a new dolly house. She did however say that she wanted the boy baby doll that can swim under water in the tub or pool.

M also wants a new dolly house and she would like the girl baby doll that can swim.

Merry Christmas to everyone!!!!!

Big "B" turns 36!!!

Saturday night b/4 B's b/day, we met his mom for dinner. His Granny sent a straw hat, corn cob pipe, and a sweet poem about him becoming a farmer.
After dinner, we all went to see the Briarwood Ballet. The girls were SOOO excited!! We all had a great time. (Thanks MiMi!)

Daddy's b/day cake. We didn't have a number 6 so we improvised! At church, C proudly announced to everyone that Daddy was turning FIFTY SIX!!!!!!! It was too funny!

Birthday Boy!!

Menu Planning

M asked if she could plan our weekly menu since she has learned how to write all of her letters and has started to read and spell.
For those of you who can't read a 5 years old creative writing, I will interpret for you.
Monday: cereal
Tuesday: Hamburgers
Wednesday: Church (we eat dinner at church every Wed. night)
Thursday: Out (which means she would like to eat out)
Friday: Ham and Cheese
Saturday: Chicken nuggets
Sunday: Turkey

Thanksgiving Travels

The kids decked out in their "Give Thanks" turkey shirts for their Thanksgiving party at MDO.
Z and M chillin' at MiMi's and PaPa's house

C and cousin J also hanging out on the couch.

All of the grandchildren with PaPa and MiMi. We celebrated Thanksgiving with them on Wednesday.

Z on the tire swing on Thanksgiving Day at my families house. C and M standing by.

M being fearless on the tire swing.

Daddy, me, MeMaw, PePaw (back row)

Z, C, M (front row)

Thanksgiving with my dad's family on Thanksgiving Day.