Adams Family Christmas/NewYear's '08-09 :)

We celebrated Christmas with my family the week of New Year's. We had hoped that we were going to be better by then, but Benjamin and I were in a competition to see who could keep the stomach virus symptoms the longest. Poor little Benjamin won by a long shot, bless his heart! We even had a stool sample taken--no salmonella this time! He had that about a year ago, poor thing. Anyway, my family was also brave by welcoming us into their home (like they had a choice) :). We had a fun week, and there are way too many pictures here, sorry. The real highlight of the week was when Nonny and Cocky gave the kids their main big gifts--BIG WHEELS!!! Ecstasy! Sheer ecstasy! Olivia was truly in heaven, and we had so much fun watching them ride those things. There are also some pics from the neighbor's trampoline, and from the little mechanical horses on the sidewalk at the outlet mall. Yes, I did take pictures of the television one night. We watched some DVD's of The Muppet Show!! Truly one of my all-time favorite shows ever. Good times. We had an awesome dance party one night, and we had a lot of fun with some crazy balloons. And as always the Adams family BINGO tradition held strong. It got a little dirty when the Karate Kid II DVD was up for grabs. Carrie Beth was playin' hard core, and she wound up winning it in the end. I won an Art textbook of Uncle Will's--thus the picture of the naked lady. You'll see several reindeer antler pictures--those were also wins in the BINGO game. We celebrated Mom's 60th birthday while we were together also, and we had a sweet time honoring her and celebrating the wonderful life she's led for all of us to see. We were so glad even Abby and Andy were able to join us via cellphone for that special time. Sunday, we got to hear Dad preach out at Bemiss UMC, and he was wonderful, as usual. It was a sermon about when Mary and Joseph lost Jesus, and he talked about how sometimes we have to look back in order to be able to move forward. It was great--the icing on the cake. It is always shorter than we want it to be, but it was a good time. Everybody put up with our sickness very sweetly. I kind of wish we could do it again with us all being well now! :) Sweet times.

Christmas Eve/Christmas Day '08

We were home in Kingsland for Christmas this year. We had a tough Christmas as we all had a nasty stomach virus. Benjamin started the morning off with flare by having a diarrhea blow-out and vomiting all over everything in his crib. Joy to the world! :) Feliz navidad! Fortunately, we were still able to make the most of things and enjoy a sweet day with Theresa and Jason and their family and then later we went to Stan and Mary's for the evening. They were all very kind and brave to have our germy family into their homes. Mary made us a a delicious ham dinner, and as usual, they were far too generous to us and the kids. I've already enjoyed spending my gift certificate to Belk, Mary! Thanks for the mad money! Such a treat!

Dad's gift

This Christmas the four of us Adams kids got Dad's book framed for his Christmas gift. I thought it turned out beautifully. I am so proud of Dad's accomplishment in having this book published. It was an amazing experience reading his study of Philippians with a group. It's an awesome, challenging read. If you don't have it, I'd be more than happy to help you get one.

From Dad's gift

Barbie Photo Shoot and Liv's Christmas Tree

Olivia decided we needed a Barbie photo shoot, so here are some of her shots and my shots combined. She dressed them all perfectly and put them with some babies, too. Very fun. I found a lighted Christmas tree that's just her size at Fred's right before Christmas that was only $13, so I grabbed it up, and she was ecstatic! We had great fun decorating it, and today is January 12th and her tree is still up. I'm guessing it will stay up for a while. Maybe it will become an Easter tree! :)

The Artist

Benjamin has become very interested in drawing/writing. I love how serious he gets about it. He really concentrates hard when he lays down on the floor with his paper and pen. The only problem is when he decides to tattoo himself. I should've taken some pictures today of that little fiasco. Yikes! I just think he looks so cute trying so hard to write and draw. He's growing up on me!

Noah's Ark Christmas Program

Olivia was a fabulous reindeer in the Noah's Ark Christmas program, and I was very proud of her for being so brave when Santa came by for a visit. Sorry the Santa pics aren't better. Who's idea was it to put Santa in front of the bright window? :) It was a fun day. Little did we know, though, that later that night would begin the three week stomach virus saga for our family. Ugh. What a Christmas and New year's! Thank you Lord for carrying us through!

Fun on the Trampoline

Aunt Theresa and Uncle Jason have moved back to town! They brought their trampoline with them, but since they can't have it in their back yard at base housing, they're keeping it at Grammy & Papa's house, Stan's folks. This has been like a little slice of heaven for my kids! They love the trampoline, and here are some pictures of them enjoying it. Logan and Ethan make a few of these shots, too. The shots of Benjamin with the donut were from earlier in the day, but they were just cute, so I threw them into this slideshow, too.