Happy Birthday Parker

Today is Parker's fifth birthday!

Happy Birthday Jesus

The kids had a birthday party for Jesus a few weeks ago in Sunday School. They sang happy birthday to him, ate cake, and had lots of fun. I asked Anna Kate and Parker how the party was and Parker said, "It was good, but I didn't see Jesus there!"

Art

These are the latest paintings that I have completed. I apologize for the shine on parts of them.

Neil and I hosted our Sunday School Class's Christmas party this year. It was great to have it at our house because it made us get our house ready FAST. We had Christmas decorations up before Thanksgiving and the house WAS clean. There were about 40 people here and we had a great time spending time with our friends. This is a picture of the girls after playing Dirty Santa.

Christmas Programs

Anna Kate's Baptism

December 7th was one of the best days for our family. Anna Kate was baptized and made a public profession of her faith in Christ. The sweetest part was when her prerecorded testimony was played for everyone to hear. She was so excited and wanted everyone to know! When it was time for her to get a bath before going back to church for her Christmas program, she said she wasn't washing the "holy water" off of her.

Jingle Bell Run

Jingle Bell Run

Anna Kate and the twins

Our friends Bill, Jill, and their girls came to visit with us last night. Halle and Hannah have grown so much since we last saw them. They had a great time playing with Anna Kate and it was funny listening to Parker try to impress them. We hope to spend more time with them during Christmas.

Deacon Ordination

Neil was ordained as a deacon at our church a few weeks ago. He had to tell the church his testimony and he did such a great job. We are so proud of him!

Halloween

Mallory and Mackenzie were our only trick-or-treaters on Halloween! They came by to visit on the way to their grandparents' house. Anna Kate and Parker went as a rock star and Batman. We went to visit both sets of grandparents and then went to a hayride and bonfire.

Church Hayride

As soon as we came home from the tournament in Laurel, we changed clothes and left again. We went to our church's fall festival and hayride at our sister-in-law's parents' house. The kids had a great time painting pumpkins, sliding, playing games, and going on a hayride.

Laurel Boo Fest

Anna Kate's rec team played in a soccer tournament in Laurel on the 25th. I know, I'm behind on posting! They were undefeated and came in first place. Anna Kate has the best time playing and spending time with her soccer friends.

Upward Football Awards Night

Parker had the best time playing Upward Football. We went to his awards night a few weeks ago and he had a great time seeing his teammates. The sweet boy was even upset when we pulled up. He started crying and told me that he was going to miss his teammates. He has the sweetest heart!

Football

One of the daddy's on Parker's football team emailed these pictures to Neil today. I was thrilled to have some good action shots. I can't ever seem to take great pics during a game. Take a look at Parker's mouth. We have to protect those teeth!

Ducks

Feeding the ducks.

Parker's Hard Head

Neil and I heard the loudest thud in the living room on Saturday night. It was Parker. He somehow ran into or hit the dresser with his head. He immediately had a huge knot on his forehead all the way down to his brow. He was scared that he was going to the emergency room like Anna Kate. He kept saying that it didn't hurt and that he didn't need to go to the hospital. It looked terrible Sunday morning, his little eye was swollen so much that he could hardly open it. He's fine now, but he sure did scare us.

Playing in the Rain

This is a picture that I stole from Marijoy's blog. I didn't take my camera to the game because it was raining so bad. I'm glad that she had hers and took such a great picture. The girls had the best time playing in the rain and splashing in the water puddles.

Upward Football and Soccer

We have been so busy on Saturdays. Parker usually has a football and soccer game, and then Anna Kate has a soccer game. It's super busy when we go to Starkville after three ballgames! Parker is having a great time playing Upward football and soccer. He loves to put on his "mean face" and talk trash. I wonder where he got that from?? We heard him tell a little boy on the other soccer team, "Y'all are going DOWN!!" and then he scored a goal and told someone else that they were afraid of the ball. He would do great if he would stop socializing on the field and get his head in the game.

Make a Joyful Noise

The first through sixth grade choirs sang at church a few weeks ago. A few years ago, Anna Kate would have never stood in front of everyone at church. It doesn't seem to bother her at all to sing or speak in big church. We are so proud that she is more comfortable. I would have been a nervous wreck! Oh, Parker didn't go to Wild Worship because he wanted to see his big sister sing. He did great, too. He sat in church like a big boy.

MSU

I'm so behind with posting, that I don't know which game we were at. We had a great time, even though the bulldogs probably didn't win.

Slacker

I know that I've been a blog slacker. We've been so busy, that I just don't feel like posting at night. I'll try to be better.

Tracking Gustav

The Weather Channel has been on the entire weekend at our house. We have been trying to figure out where Gustav is going. I was lying down with Parker last night and he put his globe in the bed him. He said that he was trying to find the hurricane. So cute!

Stitches

We had to make a trip to the emergency room late Saturday afternoon. We were planning on having some friends over to eat dinner and to watch the game. So, I was busy cooking and Neil was bathing the kids. I heard a loud bang and then Anna Kate starts crying. Her chin was bleeding and it had a big gash in it. We dressed the kids, turned off the stove, and rushed to the e.r. She had three stitches and it was the grossest thing I've ever seen! Anna Kate was terrified, but such a big girl getting the injection and stitches. They are under her chin, so the scar shouldn't be too noticeable. She's feeling much better now and is looking forward to showing her sweet teacher tomorrow.

Bowling

Anna Kate went bowling with the first through sixth graders from our church the weekend before last. She invited her friends Mallory and Mackenzie to go with her. They had a great time together.

Anna Kate's Slumber Party

Anna Kate decided that she wanted to have a slumber party for her seventh birthday. We had sixteen girls two Fridays ago and it was WILD!! They watched the new Cheetah Girl movie, watched movies, had manicures, gave Neil a makeover, and ate tons of food. Neil said that we will never do it again. The girls had a great time and Anna Kate was so excited to have all of her friends at her house at one time.