The Princess Turns Eight....

Eight Years Old- My How Time Flies!
 In Seven Heaven- On cooking Friday at School
The Family Six Pack and she is in charge!
Five AM- Her morning singing begins (best alarm clock ever!)
Four times a day she tells me she loves me (at least!)
Three brothers- Dear God help her when she's old enough to date!
Two front teeth- Missing just in time for Christmas!
One big beautiful healthy heart that's rhythm reminds us all to count every day as a blessing!

Time to go home and the tears begin to fall!

Santa's Lap- Big Baby Shows Us How It's Done.

 We try.... I mean, we try our best. We make sure Lucky has a late nap and is well fed and all the kids are dressed to coordinate. We talk up the visit to Santa as if it will be one of the best Christmas memories these children will have in later years. Oldest puts on a fake white beard and Lucky laughs his head off. I am sure Lucky will smile for the camera- Big D is sure he will cry. (No way- my other three kiddos loved Santa- not one tear shed.) Well- Lucky hated Santa's lap and I think Santa was not too fond of my baby either. I have some backup gifts in case he gets coal in his stocking! TFL-LK

Dub's asked Santa for this!

Merry Christmas 2010

EXHIBIT A

 We decorated the tree this year with the help of our littlest elf.   He didn't really understand the concept of decorate.  He was taking ornaments off as fast as the other children could put them on.  (See exhibit A)  We tried diversion but in the end had to use the trusty hand slap with a firm NO! He finally got the hint and now he will touch the ornaments very gently and shake his head  with a mischievous smile on his face.  P.S. We also wired the tree to the wall due to a previous experience and lessons learned the hard way!  Christmas tree decorating traditions include: picking out a real tree, getting in the PJ's and turning on Christmas music, decorating with all our favorite homemade ornaments and then ending the evening with special Christmas peppermint hot cocoa. (Extra whip and heavy on the sprinkles!) TFL-LK

Turner Falls in the Fall

Daddy Dubs and I love to camp, hike and explore. Oklahoma is close and has many great camping and hiking areas. Turner Falls is only a few hours from our home and yet, we have never been. Call me superstitious, but the last time we went camping near Turner Falls it rained so hard we had to pack up and leave and two dear friends camping with us almost lost their lives in a car accident on the way home. Dubs and I have avoid the area ever since. Over the Thanksgiving break the kids were asking for an adventure so we loaded up the car and I casually mentioned Turner Falls. Daddy Dubs gave me "the look" but it was a beautiful day and I talked him in to it. We had a great time! There are many caves to explore and a beautiful little waterfall that is the main attraction of the park. Campsites are everywhere but in the fall the campgrounds are deserted. We hiked all day, played in the streams and had FreeBirds for dinner! I have heard that Turner Falls is a nightmare in the summer due to overcrowding but it is a lovely fall destination! TFL_LK