Our Visit With Aunt Grace

One of the neatest things about marrying in to Rhonald's family is getting to know people from all over the world.  He has aunts and uncles in the Philippines, Ireland, Sudan and, of course, Arkansas.  We don't get to see everyone very often but when we do it is always a great time.  This Christmas Rhonald's Aunt Grace and her family came over from Sudan for a visit and they had enough time to come up here and see us.  It was so much fun getting to visit with them and show them around.  They are some of the more interesting people we know!  Nathan, their son, is 10 years old and he and Cole were instant buddies.  It is amazing how kids who have been raised so far apart can have so much in common.  We took them all to a Razorback basketball game, Crystal Bridges, the mall and then just spent time visiting at our house.  It was such a blessing to have them!

Merry Christmas 2013

 My favorite Christmas photo each year - Cole's face when he sees that Santa came!

 Sister always needs about 30 minutes to take it all in before she begins to enjoy her Christmas.  And even then it is a slow morning for her.  Quite unlike her brother who has everything opened in about 15 minutes.

 Cooper enjoyed his Christmas with a stocking full of new toys and treats!

 Hands down favorite Christmas gifts were board games.  Seriously....we played them all day long!  Such fun for all 4 of us.

We enjoyed a big Christmas brunch this year and then got right back to playing...staying in our jammies all day long!

Christmas Eve 2013

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Our Visit With Santa

We love our tradition of seeing the lights and visiting with Santa at the square each year.  Nothing gets you in the spirit of Christmas quite like that!  We always enjoy pizza at one of our favorite pizza places and then walk around as long as we can stand the cold.  This year, however, it was unusually warm so we were able to stay for a long time.  Lily Kate has really grown up this year and showed it by actually riding the camel and the ponies with her big brother.  In years past she has opted out of anything to do with animals - I am sure having a puppy has helped build her confidence in that area.  She was still rather shy with Santa though.  We had been talking about it for days and she was so excited to stand by him and talk to him but when she actually saw him she got a little nervous.  Cole, as usual, jumped right up in his lap and told him exactly what he wanted for Christmas and what Lily wanted!  That child has always loved talking with Santa.  Lily did share a high five and did stand by Santa for a picture and for that I am proud.  After our visit we spent a little more time walking around and enjoying the light display and then, just as the children were about to melt down or the night, we headed home.  Such a great memory and a favorite tradition.

Level 2 Orange Belt

This past Thursday afternoon Cole and Jackson had their most recent karate belt graduation.  The graduated up to a level 2 orange belt!  These two boys have worked very hard over the past few months at karate.  Cole really loves going to class and practicing at home.  I honestly was not sure when we started this sport if Cole would want to stick with it.  He has never done anything like this before.  Karate is very structured and very disciplined.  Even though he and Jackson are the best of friends they are not allowed to talk or goof off in class....and they don't.  They listen to their teachers and pay close attention every time.  I am so very proud of all they have learned and how hard they have worked.  It has been a lot to remember but they try their very best every time.  It is really cool to see them be rewarded for working so hard at something.