Caleb's Birthday

"Happy Birthday to Caleb! Happy Birthday to Caleb! Happy Birthday to Caleb! Happy Birthday to Caleb!" We started off the morning singing to Caleb before breakfast. After we finished our waffles we watched a New Kids On The Block video that Mrs Andra loaned us. The kids had a great time dancing and singing along. I was so proud! Then we got dressed and headed to Fort O to Buddy Bear's Playhouse. Tuesdays are half-price so that worked out even better for us. The kids were so excited to discover that some of their friends from school were also there. They played hard and ran around that place over and over again. All I could think of was what a nice nap time we would have this afternoon! Lydia sliding down the inflatable slide (above)
Abigail running the bungee cord race (below)

Caleb jumping in the inflatable with his friend Chandler (below)

After we had worn ourselves out at Buddy Bear's Playhouse we went to Baskin Robbins for ice cream. (I love coupons!) The kids each got their own kids cone and we had a great time! Then we headed home for a nap. Since Caleb is having a party on Saturday we didn't do presents or cake today. Caleb seemed to be okay with it since we had such a full day. He got a few birthday cards in the mail and a few other people called to wish him a happy birthday. He was very happy with his day!

Weekend in Pensacola

The morning after Christmas I got up before the crack of dawn and headed to the airport for a weekend in Pensacola with Mom. We were officially going down for Natalie Hammond's wedding but we decided to make it a mother-daughter weekend. On Friday, after a bit of shopping and lunch at Olive Garden, we headed to the beach. I love the beach! It was so relaxing and it was just beautiful. Beaches and mountains always serve me to remind me what an awesome Creator was responsible for forming the earth. When we got back to the hotel we ordered pizza and went to bed early. Saturday, after sleeping in until 8, we had breakfast with the family members that were staying in our hotel. Then it was out for some more shopping before getting ready for the wedding. We only got lost a few times which is pretty good considering we didn't have a map or gps with us! The wedding was at the Pensacola Country Club. The main hall was gorgeous and the ceremony was outside looking out over the water. Natalie was beautiful and looked so very happy.

(above) Natalie dancing with her dad, Uncle Mark.
(below) Natalie with her mom, Aunt Trudie.

We had a great time at the wedding and reception. We finally left around 10-ish and the party was still going full swing! I needed my rest! Sunday morning we got up around 8 and headed back out shopping. We had a great time but the flight time was looming on us. Mom dropped me off at the hotel and I headed back home. I was glad I got to go but oh so ready to get home to my family!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning at the Dentons! The kids were so excited that Christmas was finally here. They woke us up at 7AM ready to go downstairs and see what was under the tree. The kids did a happy dance when they saw what was waiting for them. They started with their stockings and then moved on to their presents. We wrapped each kids presents in their own wrapping paper to make it easier to tell which presents belongs to each child.Caleb was so happy to realize he had gotten the Transformer he asked for. He also got an Iron Man costume and immediately went and tried it on for us. It fit perfect! He also got a Hot Wheels game for his Smart Cycle and Speed Racer movie along with some much needed new clothes.

Abigail got the sing-a-long Gabriella from High School Musical and immediately opened it up to sing for us. She is already practicing to be a famous singer. She also got a Hannah Montana costume, Barbie movie, Ratatouille game for her V-Smile along with some new clothes.

Lydia loved her life-size penguin and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse as her favorite toys. She also got a doctor kit, Care Bears movie and Hannah Montana costume along with some new clothes.

After we opened presents Daddy made us a big breakfast of pancakes, grits, and sausage links. The kids spent the morning playing with their new toys while we got ready for Christmas Dinner. Aunt Alli, Tommy, Grandmomma, Granddaddy, Brooke and Dale came over for a turkey dinner with all the fixins. Christmas with family and friends!

It's Almost Christmas!

Christmas Eve at Grandmomma and Granddaddy's house. After the Christmas Eve Service at church we headed over to their house for dinner and presents. Grandmomma made chili, fried chicken, chips, chex mix, monkey crunch, scones, and chocolate cake. The kids sat in the living room to eat while the adults sat around the kitchen table and visited.After dinner it is present time. Grandmomma hands out all of the presents and then everyone opens all of their presents at the same time. It is a little crazy trying to see what everyone gets from each other but it is always a good time!The kids each got some clothes and a toy off of their Christmas list. The clothes are probably a lot more important to me than to them but the toy makes it all worth it! Tommy was very happy with his new coat. Peyton and Logan got gift cards to Game Stop so they could get a new game for their Play Station 3 that they got for Christmas. Grandmomma also got them toys to play with and the promise of a shopping trip so they could pick out their new outfits.

Grandmomma and Granddaddy looking at the scrapbook we made for them from their Spring Break Trip to the Grand Canyon.

After the presents are opened and the mess is cleaned up we head home to get ready for bed. The kids are usually pretty wound up so it takes a little while for us to calm down and get to sleep. Then it is time for Mommy and Daddy to wrap the rest of the presents for Christmas morning. 7AM is going to come way too soon!

Christmas Sunday, December 21, 2008

It's Christmas time! I can't believe this is the week of Christmas. It finally hit me Saturday night when I was setting out the kids clothes for church and I realized that I needed to get their Christmas clothes out. It has been so crazy busy that it snuck up on me again this year. Luckily I didn't have a lot of shopping to do so I have been finished with the Christmas shopping since Black Friday. I know, I know, that is annoying to you procrastinators but I can't help it. So, here we are in the sanctuary after the morning service.
I snapped this one before we left the house for Sunday School. The kids were in much better moods and cooperated a little better. Aren't they just the cutest kids in the world?

Children's Choirs' Concert, December 14, 2008

Caleb's group went first so that they could spend the rest of the concert under parental supervision! They did such a good job. This was the first time any of them had tried on their costumes so there was quite a bit of adjusting and playing going on. Caleb's friend Sebastian kept us entertained with his antics. He wasn't really into the singing and he was hilarious to watch. (Those Major kids again!) I may try to post the video later because I spent a good portion of the concert trying to hide the fact that I was laughing. But, the kids really did do a good job and they picked up their props when they were told to and put them back down when they were finished. Caleb may not have a future as one of the great tenors but he has a great attitude and works hard. I was so proud of them.


Abigail's choir went after a short break for the Handbell Choir to play a few numbers. She did such a great job. She loves to sing and she is very loud so the teachers love to have her in the group. This year we are struggling with talking with our friends instead of doing what we are supposed to be doing. (Now who does that sound like?) This proved to be true during the concert also. She is standing beside her friend Tessa and a few times throughout the evening she leaned over and made a comment. I think next time I may suggest placing her beside a boy, she is still uninterested in them!

Christmas Card Time!

It's that time of year again, we get to pose for pictures so Mommy can send cards to our friends and family. This has been a busy few weeks so I was afraid to wait any longer to try to catch some pictures because I want the cards to actually arrive before Christmas Day! Last weekend was the Christmas production at church so Roy was at the church every night until after midnight. We also had the Christmas Luncheon at RPS that we coordinate the food and Roy bakes a cake for 120 people so that added to the work load. This week is Roy's finals and I am still trying to get the rest of the decorating done. Roy was in class taking a final so I got the kids dressed in their pajamas for a photo time. End of the day probably wasn't the best time to ask them to smile and cooperate. But every weekend seems to be full and I had to take what I could get. It is very difficult to get all three to smile at the same time. I have several shots of two smiling children while the third one is looking off into space or looking scared, or frowning. It was very hard to get all three to look halfway pleasant at the same time! I was exhausted and still not over this cough/cold I have been struggling with for a week now so I'm sure that didn't help. So this is the one I chose. Great picture of Abigail, Okay of Caleb and Lydia is being silly, but hey, what can you expect ... there are three of them to deal with!

Every year I say that we are going to slow down and enjoy the season, but it hasn't happened yet. I think this is why I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas. I love the reason we are celebrating - Jesus's birth and what that means in my life and for the world, I love the decorations, I love giving to others, I love the music ... but then there comes the part I hate - the angry/mean shoppers, the commercialism, the busyness, the lack of respect for the true reason we celebrate. I really have to watch myself or I can become a big scrooge over it all. I guess what I need to remember is that I only have control over the behavior of one person (and partial control over the behavior of three little ones) so I need to let the change start in me. I can choose to slow down, say no to people if it will conflict with my family time, keep the right attitude even when others don't, choose to make my holiday season a happy one. After all, we truly have the greatest reason of all to celebrate!