Christmas Weekend

I got home from Africa the Friday before Christmas. I nearly ran across the airport to my sweet boys. My mom picked me up with those sweet cuties! Carter Wayne said that he brushed his teeth extra hard that morning because he knew I would be hugging and kissing him a lot. He was right! Saturday my brother and all his family came up to celebrate Christmas. It was the first time I got to meet my great -nephew, Zane. He is such a sweet baby! I can't explain how wonderful it was to be with family. My heart was broken after having to leave Peter and I had come home with some E. coli in my stomach. But the joy in my heart at being home with so much of my family gave me the strength I needed. We had a great meal and opened presents. I took Cal Cal and Tay Tay shopping at the mall. They also stayed the night with me and the boys. We stayed up after the boys went to bed to watch a movie. I love those sweet girls! Sunday dad cooked a big breakfast before Craig and family went home. Sunday and Sunday night I stayed at my parents recovering with antibiotics. Monday was Christmas Eve and we went bright and early to pick up Rodney at the airport. I had been gone 14 days and Rodney had been gone 16 days. Way too long!! America never looked so good to me!

Gingerbread house decorating

While we were in Africa Carter Wayne's class had a special day. They wore pjs to school and decorated gingerbread houses. Carter Wayne's sweet teacher, Ms. Craig, sent these sweet pics to me. I got the text on a night when I was missing my boys terribly. I had cried myself to sleep and then woke up to these sweet pics! God knows what you need, when you need it. Once again, we are so very blessed to have Ms. Craig in our lives. She is our kindergarten angel! Carter Wayne said it was one of his favorite days at school!

My boys!

Rodney took this pic of the boys while they were painting picture frames for my birthday. I looked at it often while in Africa. I missed these little boogers!

Ugly Christmas Sweater

Our small group had our annual ugly Christmas sweater party this year and I convinced Rodney to go all out for it. So embarrassing but oh so funny! :-)

Christmas Decorating

I had to be on top of things this year since we would be in Africa most of December. I decorated, shopped and sent out my Christmas cards all by the first week in December. That has never happened. The boys LOVED decorating their trees in their rooms. And it was so special to decorate a tree for Peter. Peter didn't get here for Christmas, but while in Africa he loved looking at pictures of his room and the boys decorating it for Christmas. My dad gave Sawyer a Santa hat and he wore it almost everyday for a week. He cracks me up! Theses boys love Christmas!

Goodbye Red House

Just in time for Rodney and I to leave for Africa my parents sold their house in Little Rock. My mom has transferred with her job to Fayetteville. My dad will continue to commute on the weekends until he figures out his next steps. I am beyond excited to have my parents in Bella Vista. It is truly a dream come true. Especially since I am about to have 3 active boys! ;-) So we said good bye to the "red house" as the boys call it. I didn't grow up in this house. Mom and dad bought it after I went to college, but I have good memories in this house. I staged a last minute birthday party here just to have an excuse to invite Rodney over right after we met. I took a pic if this door since it is where we had our first kiss. This is where our surprise engagement party was held. Also it is where I spent my last night as a single lady before my wedding. It has been a great house, but as always it is the people in a house that makes it special! Looking forward to many more wonderful memories in Bella Vista!

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving in Mississippi. Lots of food and lots of family. The weather was perfect so all the cousins got to play outside. Everyone was excited to hear about Peter and couldn't wait for him to join the family. Rodney had to stay home to save his days off for Africa. We really missed him and did not like spending the holiday away from him. Hopefully that will be the last time we have to do that.