Christmas...

Some pictures of our family Christmas with my family and Graham's family...

Since we went to Oklahoma for Christmas this year and I was a little late in getting our decorations up, I only put one tree up.  I didn't use any ornaments this year (except for some balls) and just used ribbon and picks...it was different that usual but fun for a change.  I will definitely go back to my traditional trees with the ornaments next year!

Merry Christmas from the three most precious babies around!

Mason was most entertained by the bows :)

Emma's first big girl bike! (Gifted by Manna and Poppa)

My older two kids never paid much attention to the tree when they were a baby. Mason, on the other hand, couldn't get enough of it!

Lunch with Janza and Grandpa!

Dinner with Uncle Alan and Car Car!

Sweet baby.

There may not be much documentation of us...but here is proof that we were actually around :)

Nannie gave the kids these light up necklaces that the LOVED!

Santa has arrived!

Emma got lots of new makeup for Christmas and was excited to use it all :)

Nothing cuter than a baby boy in a smocked longall :)

Decked out in Christmas pjs!

Santa?!

HAWAII...

In October of this year, we were given the most amazing blessing...a trip to Hawaii with Graham's family.  I still cannot believe this trip happened.  It was truly the trip of lifetime.  You see, Graham's mom, Mary, has a glioblastoma (aka GBM)...this is the worst form of brain cancer one can have.  It is incurable and difficult to to even try to treat.  She was diagnosed in 2015 and was given the prognosis of months to live.  The Lord is SO good and she has far surpassed her original prognosis.  Praise Him!

After a doctors appointment where she received some more bad news, Mary's best friend called and asked what she wants to do with her remaining time.  Mary's answer: "Spend as much time as possible with my kids and grandkids."  This spurred her friend on to GIFT the entire family...all NINE of us...with a week-long trip to Maui, Hawaii to stay at the Four Seasons Hotel and do nothing but enjoy time with each other in the most beautiful place on earth.  Unreal, right?  To be honest, when I first heard that we were going on this trip, my immediate thoughts were, "An 8 hour flight with a 5 year old, 3 year old, and 5 month old???" But the more I thought about the purpose behind this trip and the end result of that flight, I knew it would be worth it!

The Lord was so, ever gracious in allowing our family this time together with Mary.  The memories that were made, pictures and videos that were taken, and the conversations that were had will NEVER be forgotten.  I have made a book with details of the trip and all of our pictures so I will only be posting a handful on this post, but I could not blog about our year without mentioning this trip.

November...

November is always one of my favorite months.  Beautiful weather, holiday season, lots of family time...all of my favorite things!

Watson is loving some dress-up these days.  His current favorite: Chase from Rescue Bots

Two cool cats at Samford's Homecoming

Emma found Watson's old cowboy boots and she LOVES wearing them!

Game time with Mana

Their favorite place on earth: Chuck E Cheese...

Watson had a great soccer season that wrapped up this month!

Cousins and best friends :)

I had a rare and welcomed girls night this month!  Several of us from Life Group made door signs and had so much fun for the night!

Pretty Ballerina :)

Thanksgiving Feast with my big man.  LOVE this boy SO MUCH!!

Emma...this girl...she sleeps with TWENTY ONE stuffed animals at night.  And if ONE is missing...she knows.  Oh how she keeps us laughing!!

Emma loves wearing Mary's wig...and it always bring some very welcomed laughs to all of us!

A quick day trip to Atlanta for a Passion meeting means a quick stop by the Varsity for dinner.  What'llyahave?

Thanksgiving!

Our attempt at a family photo...

I love my family so much!

 Thanksgiving Feast with Emma Lou!