Christmas Program, Earrings, & Helene's Birthday!

December has been a busy month! Havana and Haddon had their Academy Christmas Program on the 9th. Each class represented a different country. Havana's 2nd grade class represented Australia. Hadon's 1st grade class represented England. It was a very good program!

Havana with her friend Carley (above)

Havana holding the "I" (below)

Haddon's class (below)He's keeping his eyes on his teacher! (above)

I get a smile! (below)

Just before Helene's birthday we took the girls to get their ears pierced. Helene was so brave and went first! Hayley eagerly sat down for hers, but was a bit surprised once they actually did it. She ended up shedding a few tears. =( Havana was hesitant, so we decided to come back at another time for hers. On the way home she decided she really wanted them so we stopped at a second store and had them done. She was so happy!

Helene's birthday was on a Monday this year. On Sunday we went to Mr. Gatti's for pizza with some friends after the church service. The Collin's and the Tyler's joined us and we had a great time.

I scheduled Monday off to spend with my birthday girl. We went to Build-A-Bear so she could pick out her gift from Grammy. She picked out a pink bear, and dressed it in a pink dress with pink bows. Then she named her bear..."PINK!" We had our traditional birthday dinner Monday night...Tacos followed by cake and ice cream!

I can't believe my little Helene is 5 years old, and that it was five years ago that she was born in our van on Old Callahan Road in Powell, TN! I remember every detail of the night before and the morning of her birth! How could I forget? She still asks, "Is this the road I was born on?" when we drive on Old Callahan Road! What a birth story! What a precious child! I love her so much!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Missions Conference and Hayley's 3rd Birthday!

Our annual Missions Conference was in mid-October beginning with the Missions Banquet. We had chili, stew, cornbread, and desserts. I was able to work half days on Monday and Tuesday and take the full day off on Wednesday to be able to attend all of the evening services. It was a blessing and the World Village was unbelievable as always. The older 4 kids dressed up in Chinese outfits for the banquet and Havana and Haddon got to wear them to school one day as well! Look closely to see Hayley's Chinese Dragon shoes!

Hayley turned 3 on November 8th! She wanted a pink and white horse cake. We had our traditional taco dinner followed by presents and cake and ice cream. We had a nice nap and then headed to Chuck E. Cheese for pizza and tons of games. The kids had a ton of fun. Happy Birthday sweet Hayley!

Getting up to date...

On a Saturday when Mommy had to work, Daddy decided to take al 5 kids to Cades Cove to hike up to the waterfall and play in the water. He was a trooper, until he realized he locked the keys in the van and Mommy had to come rescue everyone after work. It took me over 2 hours to get to them because it was dusk and the scenic trail in Cades Cove was packed! What an adventure! They had a great time though!



We got zoo passes this year and went for the first time with our friends, the Conlan's. We can't wait to go again!




We were given free tickets to the fair this year. We saw a brand new calf just hours old, sharks, a mini circus, a petting zoo, and got balloons and candy apples!


The Cub Scouts went on a hiking trip. Daddy and Havana went with Haddon! It was a long hike, but everyone did great and the scenery was beautiful!

My birthday was yesterday (12th.) Everyone made it really special this year. While Haddon was at a birthday party, Daddy and the girls baked me a chocolate cake in the shape of a heart. The next evening, while I was at work, they decorated it. Daddy used my cake accessories and did a GREAT job! I think I'll recruit him to help with my cake orders! =) On Saturday afternoon we had our traditional taco birthday dinner with cake and ice cream to follow. They put trick candles on my cake and they kept re-lighting. It was hysterical because there were so many and the flame was so high! We finally got them out and off the cake. Harley had snuck off to the mall and he and the kids had picked out a complete outfit including shoes and earrings for me. Saturday evening Harley took me out shopping and to dinner. It was a nice evening! Thank you everyone!

Sunday before church...
I wore my new suit and the kids and I all matched! We were in a hurry so I wasn't in the picture. Hudson wasn't a happy camper so he missed the photo too. Sunday was my actual birthday so Havana took a birthday note adn offering for the camp up to Pastor. Pastor's birthday was the 10th, so the kids gave him a card, sardines, and chocolate! =)

Well, I'm up to date! It feels good and hopefully I won't get so behind again! Thanks for keeping up with us!