Presents from Texas - December 25

This post is especially for Noni and Papa...we love you!  Thanks for such wonderful Christmas presents!

Wyatt's "greenhouse"

Sabrina's pony

Colter's pirate ship

Monique's Olivia dollhouse

Zane's train

Laurel's piggy bank

Christmas Day 2010

Just a little peek into our Christmas morning...through the eyes of our kids!

We had to wait forever at the top of the stairs before we could come...

running down, down...

down to the living room!

It took us a couple minutes to figure out which present belonged to which kid...as you can see Laurel didn't quite understand.

Monique got a new bathtub for her Baby Stella.

Colter loves his new nerf crossbow.

Zane and his train become fast friends.

A purse, with a phone, was a great gift for little Laurel.

While build your own cars were perfect for Wyatt.

And Sabrina's craft box made her a very happy little girl.

Before opening the rest of our presents, we had sausage balls and orange juice...

and listened to Daddy read the Christmas story.

Then it was time to open the rest of the presents.  Daddy got a new family picture for his office.

Wyatt decided to prolong the surprise by keeping his eyes closed while opening his presents!

Then it was stocking time...once again, Laurel didn't quite get it, but we helped her out.

Merry Christmas...from our family to yours!

I {heart} Christmas Eve! - December 23

We already have some fun traditions that make this last evening before Christmas almost as exciting as the big day! Here's just a taste of our evening...

After having tamales for supper we get ready for Christmas Eve service and take a few pictures. 

 First my cute little girls...

Then my handsome boys...

And finally the whole crew!

After church we enjoy Christmas cookies and wassail by the fire.

Then the kids get to open one present...their new Christmas pjs.  This year I bought them all "feet attached"...they were just a little bit excited!

They usually agree to a couple more pictures...

before opening the final present of the evening.

Every year they get a new game on Christmas Eve that we play together before they head off to bed. This year's game...Quirkle.

After an exciting game it's time for the Christmas Eve slumber party.

Merry Christmas {Eve}!

Laurel's First Birthday - December 21

Hi! My name is Laurel Joy Griffis and today is my first birthday.  Let me tell you about the celebration...

Since it was Daddy's day off, everyone decided to head up the mountain and spend the morning hiking in the snow. I decided it would be a good time for a nap, since all of the real birthday fun was waiting back at the house!

After arriving back home it was time for the party to begin.  I thought I'd invite my brothers and sisters since they live with me. They are pretty fun kids.

I loved opening the presents, especially the ones with tissue paper.  I got lots of toys, dolls and cute clothes.  See the hat that Noni made me? It's my favorite! I was excited when Mom let me say "Hi" to Noni (and Papa and my cousin Elizabeth and a few aunts and uncles) on the computer and thank her for my presents.

While the presents were fun, without a doubt my favorite part of the day was eating my birthday cake.  It tasted like my favorite food (bananas, of course), but was so much better than the ones Mom feeds me for breakfast. It was delicious and very messy!

I loved my first birthday celebration.  I clapped all day long, especially whenever someone sang that "Happy Birthday" song to me.  Can it be my birthday again tomorrow?

MSBC Christmas Program - December 19

Monique and Zane's Christmas Program

Happy Thanksgiving - November 25

Happy Thanksgiving...from our flock to yours!

Walking in Our Winter Wonderland

All ten of us got bundled up and went for a walk in the snow this afternoon. We had over a foot of snow on the ground and it was still snowing lightly. It truly was a "winter wonderland"!

Liz and Will's Wedding - November 6

We traveled to Florida for a very special wedding and were blessed to spend time with lots of Danny's extended family.  Here are just few pictures from that beautiful day...

Several of the youngest cousins enjoyed playing together after the wedding.

 

Zane survived wearing a tie for the first time...and looked very handsome.

 

Colter actually enjoyed wearing his tie...and also looked very handsome.

 

Monique loved her new dress made especially for this occassion.

 

Liz, Will, Taylor, Sabrina, Emma and Wyatt

 

Wyatt carried a football down the aisle instead of a pillow.  Talk about temptation...

 

Sabrina looking, and feeling, like a princess.

 

And finally Miss Laurel, who smiled at everyone she met.

 

Precious little girls watching Liz and Will dance at the reception.

 

The highlight of the reception for the kids (and some of the adults!) was the candy cart.

 

Colter enjoying a lollipop, with Emma and Sabrina in the background.

 

Monique decided Laurel should get a taste of her special lollipop, too!