Happy New Year!

Christmas cheer

A couple nights ago we finally got the last box of Christmas decor put away. Just before I started sadly taking it all down, I took a moment to walk around the house and take some shots of little things around the house that brought me joy this Christmas...

It was a Christmas miracle, but somehow I finished Clark's stocking by December 25th! :)

A little choir boy that belonged to my grandmother a loooong time ago

My love of nutcrackers is growing. I think I'm going to start collecting them!

My parents brought J&J, L&C, and Sean and I each a handcarved nativity set back from Israel
One of my favorite parts about the season is receiving everyone's cards. I love having them on display!

Clarky's first ornament!

Any ideas as to who's room this is in?

This sweet little tree lit up our hallway this Christmas season. It put off the softest glow every night as I headed to bed.

Until next year's Christmas cheer!

Christmas and New Year's

Ok folks, long post here, but I'm documentin for the family archives...

Since this was our year to go to Midland for Christmas, we celebrated with the Jurgensens the weekend before the actual day.

I love this picture because it so authentically represents what it's like when we open presents.

Josh, Brooks, and AM checking out B's new toy

Clark with Caroline
Brooks was beginning to be on the move!

The best pic we could get of the cousins!

Mommy stealing some sugar

The boys at the end of their patience span for the photo op

On the 23rd we headed to Midland for the big day. This is a pic of AM and C on Christmas Eve. We went to the church where Granddaddy Clark is currently preaching. It was so neat to be there while he did the service!

You'll notice that Clark is wearing his pajamas. That's because he, in a very timely manner, proceeded to poop through his ADORABLE outfit just as we walked through the church doors. Aaahhh, it's a miracle I even had these in the diaper bag.

Poor thing, just to document, he felt TERRIBLE over the holidays. He was getting his eyeteeth the entire time, and was a faucet with chapped cheeks the whole time. Bless his little heart.

After the service we headed over to Grandmommy and Granddaddy's house where we enjoyed a feast of all sorts, thanks to Grandmommy. We always know she will outdo herself!

Cousin Madison is pretty much the coolest thing to this little girl.

Next it was time to leave some goodies out for Rudolph!

AnnMarie had been waiting and waiting for this!

The Clarkster finally got some "boy toys" instead of taking sister's sloppy pink seconds! :)

Sister's spread from Santa. I realize now that this looks hugely lopsided, but it makes a big difference when one is fully aware and the other not at all! :)

AM's first glance and taking it all in. It was hard to make her wait until we all got ready to walk in together!

Captured the moment!

Brother checking out his goodies

Daddy and son

Santa got a big thumbs up for these two gifts: Ariel wedding dress and "sick girl" as she calls her. (The only thing she requested from Santa----you have to feed her medicine and help her blow her nose, etc.)

sweet EARLY morning hugs

another (albeit surprisingly) big hit from Santa---a pink cape which automatically turned her into SUPERGIRL! (yes, she played the part exactly)

Grandmommy loving on little bear

Playing with Granddaddy (poor buddy, you can see how glassy his eyes were!)

with cousin Mackenzie (she has claimed Clark since apparently Madison got AnnMarie) :)

Clark got the CUTEST cow from his cousins

AM showing off her Fancy Nancy doll from Gamma (she also hit the jackpot with these Jasmine pajamas!)

Playing it cool with a princess discman from the cousins

Sweet Aunt Allison

These kids are loved to pieces!

Our trip is not complete without AnnMarie taking a spin on her Barbie jeep. She's actually a really good driver!

Clark flirting with the ladies

Christmas Day wore this little one slap out

It was hard to say goodbye to Gamma and Pepaw, but we had a great visit with lots of happy memories!

The week after Christmas the Jurgensens from Memphis came in town, and we decided to try out our new Chuy's. It was worth the hour long wait!

Tweedle dee and Tweedle dum ready for action:

Josh and Julia went to the Barking Ball New Year's Eve so I got to take Brooksy out to Mom and Dad's to spend the night with them. I had a little taste of what having twins is like.

Brooks is trying to figure out what's wrong with Clark.

What a wonderful Christmas we had with many, sweet moments. And these two little ones were our extra special blessings this year!