A grumpy and sick little boy!

Wow!   I think I’ve had enough of this sickness thing.  My little guy has been ill since we’ve been out of school.  I took him to the doctor on Christmas Eve and back again yesterday.  It hasn’t seemed to help. 

He is congested and has swollen tonsils.  I don’t know what I’m going to do if this doesn’t let up.  Please hurry back Dr. Rao.  I don’t think I can take any more of this crying and grumping. 

Also, never let Joel tell you to tell your kids not to pick their nose or the booger monster will bite their fingers.  I think I’ve heard…..”Mom, I don’t want the booger monster to bite me a hundred times lately.”  Poor kid!  I keep telling him there is no booger monster.  It hasn’t helped!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, well!  Remember us in your prayers. 

A Nice Visit!

 

 

I sure enjoyed our visit in DeRidder this weekend.  We stayed with my brother and got to enjoy some of his homemade gumbo.  

Joel, Keith, Zach, and Skye all went riding to see animals.  They went through the field at my mom’s old place and ended up getting stuck.  Zach was not impressed.  He wanted his mom.  (In fact, he made a card today to Uncle Keith about getting stuck.)  He and Skye even got to swing on MawMaw Hoffpauir’s old swing.   

I had a great time, but I would have liked to see a few other family members.  Maybe next time!  Terry, Becky, and families, we’d sure like to see you guys. 

Merry Christmas to All!

Our Junior’s Party!

Zach had his first junior Christmas party the other night.  He is growing up so quickly. 

Ashlan, Zach’s cousin, is growing up so quickly as well.  She attended her last junior’s class last Sunday night.  We’ll miss her. 

We  had a huge group of kids Sunday night.  We had 33 in attendance with several of our own not there.  WOW!  We were a little concerned that we wouldn’t have enough food.  But we ended up with extra.

Merry Christmas from our family!

Christmas at School!

Thanks everyone for the nice gifts you gave this teacher yesterday.  I sure appreciate your thoughtfulness!  The gift card, socks, candy, ornaments, snowman plaque, soap, and candles are appreciated.  Thanks SO MUCH and Merry Christmas to you all. 

A Life Sized Gingerbread House!

Knock…. Knock….. Is the gingerbread man in here? 

Mr…..Grinch…..

Mr. Grinch?  Well, not really.  This ole’ guy is a pretty good ole’ Dad.  He slid into his mandatory parka and got ready to go see…..

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

     

As we get closer and closer to the entry way, we could feel the temperature drop.  The lady who opened the door to let us in told us to be prepared for a cold 2 degrees.  Wow!   IT WAS COLD!

    

The ice sculptures are neat.

I was so cold.  I thought that I was going to slip out while Joel and Zach finished up sliding on the ice slides.   So through the exit and….

through the ice tunnel I went only to see

more Grinch ice!  :0  But, the nativity at the end of the tour was amazing.  It reminded us what the season is really about. 

After we walked out, we enjoyed hot chocolate and a treat !  What a great way to end a NEAT family experience. 

Chug! Chug! Choooo Chooo!

Wow!  We had a great time in Dallas!  Zach loved this train. 

A few Presents!

Zach keeps checking for his little present under the tree.  (Now, he has 3.)   “What is it, Mom?” he asks. 

Well, this is such a busy and fun time of year!  I wish I had everything done and could just sit back and relax. On the other hand,  I think staying busy is a reason why we like Christmas as well. 

Making Cookies!

Zach’s Christmas Wish List!

What do you want for Christmas?

I want uhhhh uhhhh:

Thomas, a train with a Thomas, a racecar, a watch, uhhhh, uhhhhh, Santa Claus is bringing me a present, carrots, a Thomas, uhhhhhh, a game, a suitcase, a vacation, Handy Manny for Christmas, a watch, and racecar, a little iron, uhhhhh spell Pops, Aunt Robbie and Chloe’, uhhhhhhh Aunt Marci, uhhhh Jamie, uhhhh Brother Durr, spell Alex, Good Job, Mom.  Good Job!  That’s done! 

Our Fall Vacation 2009!

      

This year we stayed at Big Cedar Lodge a few miles from Branson. 

  Big Cedar Lodge has its own marina, mini golf course, restaurants, gift shop, hiking trails, etc.

It is owned by Bass Pro Shops….so Joel and I expected it to be clean and nice.   It was!

A stream that runs across the road at the lodge….

  

We crossed over this swinging bridge to go eat at one of the eateries at the lodge.

    

We went to Silver Dollar City one day-----the coldest day that we were in Branson.

 

We also went to the Landing several times where Zach got to ride Bob the Builder. We went to see several shows…..and of course we saw the Duttons again even though we have seen their show probably a dozen times.  Zach loved it….especially getting to watch all of those animals dance.

We went to see the trail of Christmas Lights….Zach loved getting to sit in the front seat and see them.

Zach had a great time “swiding” and spending time with his daddy.

What a silly guy!  He was a wiggling and wiggling.  So his dad had Zach’s butterfly friend come talk to him.  Zach was making butterfly back.

 

Butterfly is probably landing right about now. 

We also enjoyed eating at Lambert’s while we were on vacation.  The atmosphere at that place is so lively.  We enjoyed

 

some yummy fried okra and….

hot ROLLS! 

So did….ZACH! 

As always…it is so easy to be discouraged at the end of a good vacation time with the ones you love.  But you have to think of the good things that lies ahead….like getting ready for Christmas.