The joy of family

We got back on Tuesday from a wonderful trip to Colorado. We chose to drive out there and we quite enjoyed our family time on the way there and back. We had 10 adults and 5 children meet us there and it was great! We had a wonderful time at my brother and sister-in-laws house playing, laughing, and enjoying God's beautiful creation in Colorado.
This is the view from the backyard looking over to Pikes Peak. Maybe next time we go out there we can venture over to the Peak.

We had (almost) enough snow to sled. Thankfully, the kids (and us adults) didn't know any different and we just gave a good hard push to get down the hill. It was a blast!
My brother pulled out his toys, which included an atv and a bow and arrow, and we all had a good time with them. I love that adults still can get giddy over the joy and fun of these things. I have to admit that riding an atv and successfully shooting an arrow into the target will never get old. Oh the joys of adulthood!

My brother and Jason decided to light up the fire pit and everyone quickly gravitated to it, especially the kids.

There is something so intriguing about watching fire. These 4 huddled together to watch the fire in awe.

All the kids got plenty of time with and love from their great-grandmother. It was a joy to have her join us in Colorado.

I am so thankful for family! God is so faithful in providing us times of joy and refreshment with those we love so much!

Motorcycle fun

Every year, a local motorcycle club comes thundering up to our church to pick up toys for our city's low income and homeless kids. While picking up the toys all of our kids get to sit on the motorcycles and meet all the leather clad drivers...it's pretty cool! This year, Hannah was more interested in sitting on one than last year.

While I love this sweet boy that is on the front of this motorcycle, I have to say that seeing my Hannah flirting from the back of the motorcycle driven by a boy who looks all too comfortable at the wheel makes me just a bit nervous. Let's just say that I should not see this scene for at least another 25 years!!! Moving right along...

Thanksgiving recap

I am a bit behind on putting my pictures up from Thanksgiving, but we had a great time with family. Hannah and I had a roadtrip to Alabama with a fun stop at a hotel on the way. Hannah was super excited to stay at a hotel and just curled right up in her own bed when we got there. We ended up having a picnic on the bed for dinner and enjoyed a girls night out!
Hannah was super excited to get to Mimi and Pop's house and she got to have breakfast out one day with Pop which is something she always looks forward to.

I got to go to Atlanta and spend the night at one of my favorite nephew's house. This was the joyful face I got to play with!

Once all the cousins were together, they had a blast (minus the poor scratch on Bryce's face which was given to him by my sweet child...AHEM!). I can't believe how much these kids have grown up lately. It was really sweet to see how much they loved playing with each other. But, I have to admit that 5 kids under the age of 3.5 is a bit chaotic at times!

All the parents. We got a special night out one night with babysitting from Mimi and Pop. It was really great. I love the laughs that we can all share together.

We took the kids to Chick-fil-a one day and Bryce and Hannah loved seeing the cow.

Aunt Laura and sweet baby Whit.

Sweet Dawson. This little one steals my heart everytime I am around him! Besides the fact that he looks a LOT like my Jason.

Uncle Jason and sweet Kate.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I truly am thankful for this sweet family that I have been blessed to be apart of!

To my wife

Today is a special day for Jennifer. I just wanted to interrupt her regular blogging presence to tell her that I love her. I love her more deeply today than when we were first married 9 years ago. She has been my faithful friend and my constant encourager and has always pointed me to hope in God and our Lord Jesus Christ in our marriage. If anyone knows the pressures that doctoral studies and pursuing tenure at a major university puts on marriage and family, then you would marvel at God's grace as I do in the steadfast enduring love that Jennifer has shown me. I am also continuously amazed at how wonderful and God-fearing Jennifer is as a mother. Jennifer, I love you and count myself deeply blessed by God to be your husband. I hope today is full of joy for you as we celebrate your life and God's amazing grace.

My heart is full

I can't tell you what a joy this little one been to me lately. My heart truly is overflowing with love for her. Now, don't read into that statement that we are without behavior or discipline issues. Afterall, we are all sinners in need of forgiveness and God's grace. But, I just find such a joy in being around her. God has truly blessed Jason and I with a daughter that is funny, caring, loving, smart, and strongwilled (AHEM!). I am truly thankful to be her mommy and for her to be my daughter.

After dinner craft

The cost of 4 bags of beans - $4.00
The cost of glue - $0.98

Spending an evening with family and friends making pictures out of beans - PRICELESS!

I think after dinner crafts might have to become a more frequent occurance around here!

Striped cutie

I love cooler weather so our cutie can wear these adorable tights with her brown boots!

Bring on fall/winter...I love it!

Rewind

These pictures were taken Halloween weekend when Gramma was out to visit. They were so cute though, I had to share them. At the carnival we went to, they were selling these homemade tutus with bows, so Gramma bought one for Hannah. She loved it! This was the photoshoot that occured when we got home to try the tutu on.

Our last week

Hannah and I have had a full week. Gramma came to visit last Thursday and stayed the weekend with us while Jason was out of town. We had a great time with her while she was here. On Sat. night we went to a local school carnival at "Aunt" Kelly's school. It was just down the road from our house and Hannah loved it.

Hannah with Gramma and Kelly.

This bottom picture is an action shot of Hannah throwing a pie. What, you might ask, is she throwing a pie at?
Well, "Aunt" Kelly of course! Since Kelly teaches P.E. at the school she was signed up for a 30 min slot in the pie throwing booth. I had to think LONG AND HARD about whether or not we would participate in actually throwing a pie at her. But, since it all goes to benefit the school, it clearly was done for the kids...right! YAH, we love you Kelly! I just hated to have to throw a pie or two at you. *Wink, wink*

Hannah spied the horses immediately when we parked the car. She was determined to ride them too. The hilarious thing was that these horses are from the ranch we went to for Hannah's birthday. Which means, guess what horse was there taking children for horse rides???? The one who threw Jason off!!!! Oh, yes, the infamous Lilly was there giving sweet children rides on her back! Thankfully, Hannah rode a little pony, which made this Mom feel better about the whole situation.

Here is the infamous Lilly! Looks dangerous doesn't she! I am sure Jason wishes she looked more like a bull so his story could go that much further. Read the full story of that day here.

Just wanted to share some sweet pictures of our Hannah.

Weekend away

Last weekend, Hannah and I had a girls weekend away from home. We first went to Grandmother's house where we spent the night. Hannah loves her great-grandmother and we enjoyed many laughs and delicious blueberry pancakes for breakfast. My Grandmother has a beautiful little canal behind her house that is gorgeous to walk along. Hannah took some bread to feed the ducks, but we didn't find any...so she just opened the bag and ate the bread herself. Silly kid!

Searching for the elusive ducks....

My sweet, beautiful Hannah! After Grandmother's house we headed up to Papaw and Granny's house to spend the night.

We got to ride this great little train at the local park, which was a new experience for Hannah. She enjoyed the ride but had a VERY firm grip on her Papaw's hand the whole time. Let's just say she is a bit cautious the first time she does some new things.

She and Papaw enjoyed some hay bale jumping together.

Hannah and Ganny enjoyed a meal and a special moment together at the kids table. Granny is such a good sport to always join the kids at the kids table.

Hannah also got to play with her cousins Ava and Ella. She and Ava are only 3 months apart and get along so well. It is such a joy to know that they just pick up right where they left off last time. So, we had a great weekend all around! I sure do love my family and my sweet time with Hannah.

For now, I think I figured out the problem with blogger. FYI, don't post your pictures in the size right out of your camera...you will eat up space quickly and run into the problem I now have. So, resize your pictures to about 60% of the full size before you upload them and you will save yourself the headache I now have.