AWWWW........

Payton has been practicing writing his alphabet lately. He is very interested in learning to read and write right now. The other day, we were at Office Max. They had a dry erase board with letter outlines on it, so Payton could trace the letters and learn to write.
We were practicing on that board, when Payton says, "How do you spell 'Mom'?" I told him, and he wrote it in scraggly, uneven little letters. It was awesome. I love this kid!

I thought it was my Christmas gift

Ray got ME an elliptical machine for Christmas. Someone, however, has been on it much more than I have.

Reviving old fun

When I was a kid, as soon as there was enough snow, we would tie an inner tube to the four-wheeler, and take turns whipping everyone around on the tube. Dad decided Payton and Luke should continue the tradition.




And, of course, no snow play is complete without a snowman. Which Payton promptly Kung Fu kicked over as soon as this photo was taken.

To Grandmother's House We Go

After opening presents at home, we headed out to Grandma and Papa's house.

Christmas morning

I was so excited for Christmas, and Payton's reaction to Christmas morning, that I was up at 5:30. I was able to catch Payton's first reaction on video. It wasn't quite what I was expecting.



(A little background.....I sent Payton to pre-school wearing jeans with rips at the knees. He got sent to time out. During time out, he ripped the holes completely across the knees, and down to the hem. Think of a "T" shaped rip. Yep, grounded from video games for a week. Total bummer, since he got 2 new video games for Christmas.)

But, we had a terrific Christmas morning.

White Christmas

Another storm is rolling through. Payton, of course, has to be out in it. Here's some photos and video. Can you see the snow on his eyelashes in the 2nd photo?

Have a Charming Christmas

I decided Payton needed a suit to wear to church the Sunday before Christmas. So, Brenda, Lukey, Payton and I went to Burlington Coat Factory to buy the boys Christmas clothes. I found a navy suit with a yellow shirt and blue and yellow tie. (Whoever invented those zipper ties is the MAN!) I had Payton try the suit on in the dressing room, I got it on him, and put him in front of the mirror to check it out. His little chest puffed up and he says........."I look like Prince Charming!" Totally cracked me up. Then Lukey, who was wearing a dark red shirt, black and red tie, and black slacks saw Payton in his suit. Lukey says, "Mommy, I want jacket." So Lukey ended up with a suit for Christmas, too. Cute stinkin' boys!

Last Christmas

This is going to be our last Christmas in this house, God willing. I took a couple of pictures for prosperity. Ignore the burnt-out lights, I'm going to fix those.......








































































And a video of naked Batman, just because it's funny.

Thanksgiving Recap

We had a quiet little Thanksgiving this year. Brenda and Carrie celebrated with their in-laws, so it was just Mom and Dad, Ray and I, Payton and Heather for Thanksgiving. We ate delicious turkey....Thanks, Mom! And watching football, of course.
I am thankful for so many things. I am thankful for good, steady jobs for Ray and I during this economic downturn. Isn't it amazing how well God provides for us. I am thankful for a happy, mostly healthy, functional (verses dis-functional) family.
And, I'm thankful for my new house, WOO HOO, that Ryan is currently making up plans on. We are going to have land, and space and storage. I won't know what to do with myself. I'll post some pictures when the actual ground breaking begins!