Happy #13

Cameron is officially a teenager! We had a party for him at home, with the idea that he will get one with friends later. It is so hard to have a birthday right after Christmas. He finally got a bigger bike. He has needed it for quite awhile and Jason had a hard time waiting this summer. Every time he got on his little bike it looked so tiny. Cameron is such a loving brother and son. He loves music, and enjoys band and choir this year. I am surprised all the time by the knowledge he seems to have about everything. He is always reading and actually gets in trouble at school for it. He isn't much into playing sports, but loves any kind of card or board game. He is looking forward to taking the ACT in February and going to NYC in March. I hope that he continues progressing in the right direction and being a good example for his brother and sister.

Holiday Junction

On the last day of vacation we finally made it to see the trains. We had intended to go earlier, but life got in the way. We love going to the museum. The kids never get tired of seeing it, even if it is mostly the same. They did have a few new things, like this silver and purple tree that played music when you popped bubbles on a touch screen. Also, a real mummy! It was really neat to see how they examined it to see what was inside without destroying it. It was a pretty yucky day outside and when we left to head home it was snowing pretty good. It took us almost 3 hours to make a 30 min drive. Our first real snow this season. I was hoping it was not our last, but it is not looking good. It just won't stay cold and it keeps raining.

Christmas

 Santa has never really brought anything too big for Christmas. I am not sure what he was thinking this year! However the kids were as happy as can be. Ashley got a car and the boys got electric go- karts.

We don't have a real fireplace, which we are in the process of fixing! We found this on Netflix and figured, why not. The kids thought it was pretty funny, but not very warm.

Cameron with the MIB Bluray! He also got the entire Harry Potter Bluray set. I am surprised we haven't had a marathon yet!

Ashley got some fun princess dress ups! Along with games, crafts, clothes, books and lots more.

Zachary sat on his car the entire time we opened gifts. He just kept adding what he got on top of him! hat, blanket, game, etc....I believe his rear end was asleep when he tried to get up later!

 Santa should have gotten her a 4 wheeler, the way she drives over curbs and hills!

Her first car accident!

Ready, Set, Go!!!

Rosemary Clooney's House

I took the kids down to Augusta, Ky to see Rosemary Clooney's house and the White Christmas parade. I am sure I was more excited than they were! When we got to the house it was crowded and didn't take long for me to realize that they had an event going on. They were unveiling some new museum pieces, costumes from "Mandy". We also got to meet Heather French Henry (Miss America 2000), Lee Meriwether ( Miss America 1955 and Cat Woman), and George Chakiris (dancer in White Christmas and West Side Story). Heather was wearing her Miss America crown ring and yes it is as gorgeous on as it looks on TV. After the museum we walked down by the river and around town to the general store where we had dinner. It was really good home cooking. Just a couple of ladies in the kitchen. While we were there Lee and George came in to eat and sign the wall. It has been signed by a handful of famous people including Rosemary and George Clooney. I love small towns! We then went out to wait for the parade to start. It was so cold, and it started late. Once it got rolling it was a good time. I wish I could have taken more pictures of the parade, but it was dark and they were passing only about 3 feet in front of us!

Christmas Happenings

 

 We always seem to wait until the last minute to try getting a family picture. This year we decided it would be easier to do it in our living room. I am not sure it was easier, but at least it was warm!

 Ashley at her school Birthday Party for Jesus!

We have not ever made a gingerbread house, so this was the year. We had an OK time, but I am not sure it is worth doing again. In the end they sat on our counter for a couple weeks and then ended up in the trash. No one really ate any of it!

Zach, Ashley and I went to the Union tree lighting. There really wasn't much to it, but they did get to make a few crafts and have hot chocolate. I loved this snowman made from a Christmas tree. I think maybe I will have to make one next year!

Thanksgiving

Family Game time

Hanging around after dessert. There were so many pies, and other goodies. 

 For Thanksgiving this year we went to Clarksville, AR to have a Morris reunion. It was Jason's grandparents on down. We had a houseful, and the drive was long, but we had a great time. I took this opportunity to snap some pictures of my kids with their grandparents, and great-grandparents.

Great-Grandma Rosemarie Gunson
 

Great-Grandparents Bill and Sue Morris
 

Grandpa Dew and Grandma Cathy
 

 Wished we had taken one before Jason left.

Ashley thought Great-Aunt Darla was the best!

Uncle Dow, Aunt Jenny, and Cousin Hunter

This was right as you got on to the highway from their house. It was from the tornado that hit Clarksville earlier this year. It was amazing to see the damage.

Thanksgiving Program

Ashley's preschool has a Thanksgiving program instead of a Christmas progam. It is fun to watch all the kids perform their little songs and prayers of Thanksgiving. Then they have a Thanksgiving "beast"(feast) for all the kids and families. It was very yummy!

This is what I am getting these days when I try to take a picture. Not sure where she picked up the hip thing! Maybe girls just come wired for that.