Christmas at Grandma Bobbie's House!

This was Ella's way of setting the table.

This is my new FAVORITE picture of Ella.

These are all of the gifts Ella received at Grandma Bobbie's house! I couldn't capture a picture of Carson's gifts! They were open and scattered everywhere!

For the first year, Grandma Bobbie had all of her grandchildren at her house for a preChristmas celebration. Last year we attempted, but Ella was very sick. We traveled to her house Friday after school. We had a wonderful dinner on Saturday, and then it was the time Carson had been waiting so long for... PRESENTS! My children received lots of wonderful gifts! Carson was so thankful for everything! We headed home late Saturday night because Brian had to work on Sunday.

I LOVE MY JOB!!!!

Ella at 22 Months!

• Had tubes put in her tiny little ears just yesterday
• Has had an ear infection for the past month
• Talks all the time! (have lost count of her words)
• Loves, loves, loves her babies
• Points to different objects in the house and says who they belong to
• Loves school and all of her friends
• Loves for me to smell her feet and say "shoo shoo"
• Loves stickers
• Still goes to her "bubba" for comfort
• Has changed her "pacy" into a "pappy"
• Loves "I Carly"
• Will only watch one Baby Einstein video
• Has started to "fight" with Carson
• Has had her second hair cut
• STILL only wants her milk from a bottle
• Has a toothless grin even though her mouth is full of teeth
• Can count to five
• Says "Night Night" when she is ready for a nap or for bed
• Enjoys exercising with me
• Enjoys talking on the phone
• Enjoys bath time each night
• Says, "Hold you" when she wants to be held
  
• Makes our hearts melt more and more every single day
  

One Beautiful Alumni and Two Precious Terriers

19 days...20 hours...10 min...5 secs...TIL CHRISTMAS, and We Celebrated At Hollywild!

This is the first year in MANY years that we have visited Hollywild to look at the Christmas lights. It sure had changed a lot since our last visit. We loved being able to get out of the car and visit Santa's Village. Unfortunately, we experienced the same response to Santa. Oh well... there's always next year!

All We Want For Christmas...

is for the bottle to travel back to the North Pole with Santa!

Santa 2008...New Year... Same Results!

Storytime with Santa

Our school had the most amazing Christmas celebration for families. Storytime with Santa included various stations in our media center where the children could hear various teachers and staff read Christmas stories, we were served hot chocolate and cookies, we could write letters to Santa or Christmas tradition pieces, and of course have a visit with Santa where we received a free book! We invited Sara, Anna Kate, and Lauren to join us! We had a fabulous time!

Jimmie's Party...Better Late Than Never

When Jimmie Johnson won the championship, Carson had to have a party. Of course we had to invite the Coan family to help us celebrate since Carson has recruited Tripp as a Jimmie Johnson fan!!! We had a great time! Aunt Lizzie made a delicious cake!

From Tiny Steps...To a Huge Accomplishment

Today has been somewhat of a bittersweet day for me. It was a day for months that I had anticipated greatly. It was a day that for awhile I never thought would come. It was a day...that came today! I am proud to announce that on the same day the ramp was removed from our home, I graduated from physical therapy, but not before WALKING TWO MILES!! As crazy as it may sound to some, I am a little sad. As hard as those days in my life were and have been...I do miss those times. I look back and am AMAZED at the healing God has done on my body. As for the future...I will join the gym and continue my workouts! It will be a necessity!!!! I have an appointment with my orthopedic doctor tomorrow, so I will have a "clearer" picture of where I stand in the healing process.

Dear Lord,
I stand absolutely amazed at the rate in which You have healed my body. It is because of the strength that You provided that I now have returned to full flexibility, have improved my balance, have increased my strength, and continue to build my endurance. I ask that You continue to walk with me on this journey that I know will be lengthy, holding my hands along the way. For I know, that I can do all things through You who gives me STRENGTH!
- Amen