We LOVE Santa!!!

Okay, I don't know how many of you know about the Santa at Northpark Mall in Dallas, but he really is the best!!! Just to give you an idea, we got our number to see him yesterday at 11:30 in the morning, and we actually got to see him last night at about 7:00. Now, I know that sounds crazy - well, it is, I guess - but we've seen this Santa every year since we've been in Texas, so it's totally tradition. Plus, Laney is really into spotting "fakes", and she knows if there really is a Santa, this has to be him. I mean, he does story time with the kids (I mean great stories), he looks JUST right, he's so great with the kids... Anyway, yesterday after we got our number, we actually ate lunch at the mall, did a little shopping, drove home (abt. 30 or 40 min.) to Rockwall, rested, drove back to the mall, shopped a little, saw Santa, ate dinner at the mall, and drove home. It was crazy - but totally worth it to see Laney and Miller's faces as they climbed onto Santa's lap. They both had their lists written out for him. Laney wrote hers and Miller dictated his to Laney for her to take down for him. We gave Hadley to Santa to hold after Lane and Mil were situated and they got their picture made. Then he handed Had back to us and visited with Lane and Mil. Laney went first reading her list very carefully to Santa as she wrapped her arm around his neck. So darling. And then big man was up. As you'll see in the last photo, he took his finger and guided it along the page slowly as he "read" his list, too. He stumbled a bit and mixed a few things up, but Santa chimed in to help him read. All the while, Laney is cracking up at how cute her brother is trying to read his list like she did. For a moment, there was brother/sister bliss - no arguing or yelling at one another, no aggravating or patronizing, no pushing or tripping... just peace, there on Santa's lap!

Sweet baby Hadley is 3 months old!!! You can't tell from this photo, but she is the smiliest, happiest baby ever. We are all in love with her. She is such a precious gift from the Lord. She went for a 3 month (really late 2 month) appmt. last week, and she weighs 13.8 pounds now and is 23 1/2 inches long. Now the funny thing about that length is that it is the same length Miller was when he was BORN!!! He was actually 23 1/2 inches when he came into the world. Anyhoo, Hadley Kate is cooing and almost chuckling out loud now. She tries to talk back to you when you talk to her...so precious. Her most favorite songs right now are "Away in a Manger", which Miller LOVES to sing her, and "Santa Baby", which I LOVE to sing her. Both get major giggles and coos and big, big smiles with that crinkled-up nose!!

Our little Picasso

Laney had her first art show last Saturday! It was so cute. The art show actually took place at The Donut Palace here in Rockwall....all of the students' artwork covered the walls, and there were, of course, donuts to munch as you admired the art!! So fun. The first photo is of Laney with her painting "Mountain Sunset", and the one below is her magazine mosaic "Down on the Farm". She was so proud for us all to see her work. She LOVES art. Miller is actually following in her footsteps and is hoping Santa will bring him art lessons like "Naney" has... It was a fun time, and we are so proud of our "Bird"!!

Home sweet home

We just rolled in from the big G tonight, and everyone is asleep except for me! It was a great trip home, and we got to spend some time with lots of loved ones. It was definitely a super long drive, but totally worth the effort to see all those we love so dearly!! I wish that I had pictures of everyone we got to see - I guess I was just enjoying visiting so much that I forgot to get my camera out... I do have pics of our kiddos with some of their favorite friends back home (Reeves, Charlie, Hayden, and Lilly) and some pics of Hadley meeting her great grandmother for the first time (Jay's grandma). Thank you Aunt Libby for letting us stay with you while we were in town and for all you did for the kiddos while we were there!! We are so thankful for a wonderful trip and safe travel back to Rockvegas...

Sweet babies

Laney's new do!!

So long Selfs...

Our precious, precious friends, the Selfs, are moving on... I cannot imagine what seminary life for us would have looked like without their family. They are finishing up here in Dallas this semester (Jeremy has a few more classes that he will fly back for or do online next semester), and moving to Austin where they will plant Free Chapel. We are so excited for them, and so sad for us!!!!!!! I am absolutely certain that our families will always be close, but I will miss them living close by more than words can say. Ashley has been such a part of my life for these past few years - my dear, dear friend. Our kids love each other so much, and I know will miss each other so much. They really are kind of like brothers and sisters. So, Selfs, we love you more than we can express and will miss you like CRAZY!!!!! Guess we'
ll have to drive to Austin the next time one of our kids has a birthday, because the Self boys make up the majority of the guests!!!!

Happy Birthday Prom King!!

Jay's 33rd birthday was yesterday!! He had a great day. I'm not sure if you can read his cake in this photo, but it says, "Happy Birthday Prom King." When he was in highschool, he was crowned Prom King and Homecoming King...and we LOVE to tease him about it - especially Laney and I... So, when we got his cake (I would've made him one, but his all time fave is grocery store white cake with all that white icing) I asked Lane what we should say on it. She immediately said, "Happy Birthday Prom King!!!". I said, "Perfect." So, Jay is 33 now, but he'll always be our Prom King...

Wild turkeys

We made these turkey hats at school, and Laney and Mil act like crazy people when they wear them!! We are ready for turkey day!!

Whole lotta love

Ducky Love

Our sweet friends brought Hadley this duck when they visited this past weekend. It's so cool -I've never seen one like it. It has a hot water bottle in it's tummy, and you can microwave it to warm it. Hadley had a little tummy ache yesterday afternoon, so we warmed it and put it in between her and my chest - she was out cold it about 5 seconds, so I layed her in her bed with it still under her tummy. We just had to show you how cute it was.

Lovin' from home

Our dear friends came to visit for the weekend from home sweet home, and boy were we all sad to see them go this morning. Heather, Amy, and Laura Beth got here Friday, and we spent the weekend shopping, eating, laughing, and catching up. It was so wonderful to have them here. Laney said just a little while ago, "You know, they really are like our family even though they're just our friends..." - that pretty much sums up how we feel about them.
I love you, girls and will see you in a few weeks!!!!! Kisses!!!

Queen (and King) for a day!!

We took a field trip to Medieval Times last week because we've been learning about kings, queens, knights, castles....so it was a perfect spot to actually see all we've learned about over the past 11 weeks!! It was a blast. Memaw and Peeps went with us, and Mom even kept her crown on for the entirety of the trip!! We saw live jousting and sword fighting, ate with our fingers, had our picture made with the lord and lady of the castle - SO much fun, and such a memorable experience for the kids.

First smile on camera!!

David Chicken

Our sweet friends, The Selfs, went with us to the Arboretum a couple of weeks ago (well, some of the Selfs - Ashley, Blake, Sam, and Gray)...and I'm just now getting around to posting these pics! I misplaced my camera for a few days along the way. Anyhoo, most of these photos are of our kiddos grooving to the sweet tunes of David Chicken - he put on a concert, and it was absolutely hilarious. His momma, Momma Chicken, was the backup singer and stage manager (probably in her 70's) - and it was SO cute. My friend Ashley and I got so tickled watching her. Everyone loved the music, but Blake and Miller (who are best friends, by the way) especially loved it. They actually got on stage and danced to the tune "Robot Dog" - so funny. It was a fun, fun day!!

Trick or treat

Laney and Miller were SOOOO excited about trick-or-treating tonight!! They had a blast. Our neighborhood was packed with kids going from door to door, and it really was a fun time for all of us. We were proud to be Bulldogs after that great win over the Gators last weekend!!!