Christmas Tree Farm

Our annual trip to the Christmas Tree Farm was today. B kept the video camera rolling and and W took pictures like a wild man. I wish I had taken a picture of him with the camera. He got some excellent shots.

Clark Griswold aka EJ always picks the tallest tree he can find! A woman watching him pick this one said, "Does it come with a squirrel included?"

Papa and Grandma picked out their tree too. Papa cut it down and then the big boys helped carry it to the barn.

The photographer's feet with the Santa bench.

Look at that sweet face.

She was watching Daddy pick out the tree. Do you suppose she was wondering how it was going to fit in the house?

The baby boys. They are way too cute in their hats and mittens! They were not impressed but I was.

Letters for Zambia!

Papa and Grandma (EJ's folks) have been to Zambia several times to serve at an amazing ministry called Villages of Hope.

Last year, when they returned they had letters from some of the children written to our children.

We got the opportunity to write letters back to those students and send them with Papa and Grandma this year.

I took these photos of the kiddos so their "pen pals" would know who they were writing to.

One of my children was planning to write..."We want to come visit you in Zambia but we have too many babies.  We have to wait until they get older."  He changed his mind at the last minute and decided not to include that tidbit.  Ha ha!  I love it!

Baby E meets Great Papa and Nana

The whole family headed to Papa and Nana's house for the weekend.

It was time for baby E to meet his great grandparents.

It is amazing to watch my grandparents love on my babies.

I have so many precious memories of time with them when I was a child.

I adore watching my children make memories of their own.

New Play Set!

Our old play set had been well loved.  It was time for something new for our wild bunch.  We sold the old set on Craigslist and the new owners came and took it down.  They were planning to give it a once over and let their children enjoy it for years to come.

The team helped Daddy do some research on the best play set.

Once the set was purchased, the kids had to wait a few days for Daddy to have time to build it.

EJ and Papa break into the boxes.

There were so many pieces of hardware!  Unfortunately, there were also missing parts.

EJ shares the plan with his team.

Let the building begin!

Grandma gave the boys their own project to do...bird feeders!

 Sissy took a nap.  A happy nappy as Aunt DW calls them.

The babies got in on the action too.  Well, baby E took a nap through his outside time.

Baby D and I got some time outside too.

Four of my Six blessings!

Things are getting exciting!

Hurry quick!  Play on the trapeze while Daddy and Papa take a break.

Sissy got a chance to swing too!

The rock climbing wall gets the rocks.

Slide and monkey bars are in place.

Time for the swings.

Victory!  Time for a quick break for swinging.

The canopy is being put up!

Baby D had his first ride in the baby swing.  It was so wild he puked a little!

 What a good lookin' bunch!

EJ and Papa are our heroes!  Way to go guys!