Christmas #2

When we arrived in KY we had to quickly make some cookies for Santa then out to Uncle Kim and Aunt Brenda's for a pre-Christmas dinner with Josh, Mrs. Needham, Uncle Joe, Carla, Nana and Pepaw. We came back to Nana and Pepaw's house where we quickly got into bed so we could be asleep for Santa. I came back downstairs and realized that we had forgotten our cookies for Santa as well as our reindeer food! We had to get the kids out of bed to get ready for Santa. They got back in bed and we had our wrapping frenzy. They did not get up until 7 on Christmas morning but were ready to check out Santa's gifts. I will post pictures later but one of the adult's favorites was Jude's Hungry Hungry Hippo game. I am proud to say that I am the reigning Hungry Hippo Champion (today). We Christmased again with Mrs. Needham, Aunt Brenda and Uncle Kim - as well as our household. It has been great Christmas filled with activity. The 4 dogs and 2 kids have helped with the activity level! I hope everyone else had a great Christmas as well!!! We are still waiting for the arrival of Aunt Lindsay to do it all again!!!

Christmas #1

I don't have any pictures to post as we are still not home but I can at least put in my memories before I forget them!! Our Christmas began with a trip to Missouri on Friday. We opened presents with Kingston, Aunt Jamie, Uncle Chris, Mimi and Pops that evening. On Saturday the girls enjoyed manicures and we had some very entertaining game playing (sadly the boys won both). But, on the upside, everyone now knows the words to "Holly Jolly Christmas"! We all went to church together on Sunday then lunch at Colton's. The Barber family made the trip back to TN on Sunday afternoon but we stayed and did some Christmas Eve shopping (birthday shopping for me actually) and then headed to KY.

Christmas Craziness

This week has been busy with both kids having Christmas parties. At one point we had 16 dozen cookies filling our house. Luckily for those that are partaking of them our family did NOT make them. We will be doing that for Santa.

Jude's party was Tuesday. They had made Rudolph shirts which all the boys had pulled the eyes off of by party time. They had a book exchange, sang some wonderful songs, played a game and topped it off by making icing Christmas trees decorated with M&Ms and chocolate chips. They were allowed to eat those so the activity and mess level was VERY high in there.

Ella's program/party was today. Jude was the big party man as he was allowed to attend this one as well. The program went well. Ella said her line beautifully and sang her songs very loud so we all could hear. I was a little distracted as Jude thought it would be funny to wipe boogers on my pants and socks the whole time I was trying to video. (see why we didn't make the cookies?) Anyway, I left after the 19 5 year olds were juiced up on chips, punch, cupcakes, cookies and other treats. I am sure Miss Elisha will get them down for rest time no problem!

I will post pictures when I get home. Hope everyone is enjoying all the pre-events of Christmas!

Picture Updates

Here are some pictures from events that I am just getting around to posting....Ella's birthday party, Ice and actual birthday. We are gearing up for Christmas parties at school this week. Jude's party is on Tuesday and Ella's on Wednesday. I have gotten a vacation from Thursday until tomorrow because my parents have been keeping the kids. Jonathan and I have been busy though, catching up with Mark, Jessica and baby Megan - as well as Brian, Cassie and baby Brock. The Nesbitts, McConnells and Harringtons came over for dinner last night and I helped with the progessive dinner tonight for the youth group. We are ready for the kids to be back!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLA!!

Ella busted through her classroom doors this morning with "Hello everyone, I have an important announcement to make - today is my birthday!" If you could have only seen the way it was executed. Her teacher and I were falling in the floor. Added to the comment was the fact that she was wearing silvery sparkly legwarmers. We are taking her to Chuck E Cheese tonight so I will let everyone know how that goes!

Great news!!

Jude's results from his MRI were very good. Dr. Keith said no masses and no cysts. There was a slight difference in the border on one side of his brain compared to the other but since the results of the EEG were good he does not see a problem. We have an appointment with the pediatric neurologist in January and he is going to go over the tests then and give us his opinion. Thanks again for all the prayers, they were certainly answered.

Bachelor Jude sweeps Vanderbilt

Jude's MRI went great this morning. We went to Target and picked out a toy then off to Vanderbilt. The staff was wonderful. They gave Jude crayons and let him color all over the sheets. While he was drawing a Christmas tree and Rudolph with a nurse another nurse put in his IV. He looked a little confused but kept drawing and no tears. Jonathan held him in the MRI room while they put the meds in his IV - again a bit confused but right off to sleep. It took about 45 mins. We went back in to wake him up and a nurse said "Jude, are you ready to go home?" His response was a very groggy "No, I want to go to McDonalds!" After that we knew he was fine. He downed a pack of cookies and water and we hit the road to McDonalds. They should have the results in 2 days. Thanks for all the prayers - this being over is a big relief. Also Jude left there with about 6 girlfriends. One nurse had him promise to call her in 30 years.

Parties and Parades and MRIs - Oh my!

So far so good...we have had a fun filled weekend. Ella celebrated her 5th birthday (not until 12/4) on Friday night with 4 girlfriends along with Lofton, Kingston and Jude (Mimi, Pops, Nana and Pepaw were also in attendance). The girls ate, made Hello Kitty cookies (with their Hello Kitty aprons), gingerbread houses and gingerbread men in the time span of 2 hours with LOTS of help from Aunt Jamie, Nana and Mimi (thanks girls). Ella also managed to open some presents in that time frame. The boys were crazy - as usual - but had fun and even managed to make a gingerbread man with their Superman aprons. Saturday brought the exciting WH Christmas parade followed by a trip Kubuto with Mimi, Pops and Jenna and then off to Opryland Hotel to see Santa (who is wonderful by the way), break my camera and briefly look at lights. Afterward we hit Ice where we had a great time in the provided blue coats looking at the Grinch that Stole Christmas story and sliding down an ice slide. We are capping off the weekend with Jude's MRI in the morning. I will add pictures soon - luckily my camera is not fully out of working order!