More Christmas Pictures, Anyone??

I know, I know. It's April and you are sick of seeing my very late pictures. But I have to get them up so that I have them semi-organized when I want to look at them three years from now.

Steve and Marcia Carnes are some of the sweetest people on God's green earth. They've rather adopted us into their family, and we love them to pieces.

We enjoyed a beautiful meal with Steve and Marcia, as well as Joyce and Lowell Ayers and their son, Scott. Marcia and Joyce both have a heart for young mothers and while they are not my official mentors, I have benefited so much from observing their love for God and people, for homemaking....and cooking! :)

Carli and Olivia are in love with "Scottie," a talented musician and an all-around awesome guy. He played endlessly with them, let them trounce him in air hockey, ride on his back, chase him around the house. He even helped decorate the gingerbread house that Marcia made for the girls.

As our evening was wrapping up, we followed Steve and Marcia over to a house a few miles away, decorated to the nines for Christmas.

Making Christmas Cookies: Mama vs. Daddy

Do you see a difference?????

Making sugar cookies with Mama

Making candy-cane cookies with Daddy

Something tells me they had way more fun with Daddy!

The many faces of Madeline Kate

"Look what I did!"

"So big!"

The eye roll: "You want me to do what???"


Just like my daddy--always a book in my hand!


"Have you read this book?"

3-month-old pics--Trying to get a Christmas-card picture

On the last night of our Christmas musical at church, I decided it was time to get a Christmas picture (while they were all actually looking decent at the same time!). I felt like I was pulling teeth to get all three kids looking at the camera simultaneously. Here are just a few. Some show exactly why I was sweating and frustrated by, oh, two pictures in. I probably snapped 50 pics altogether, but I'll spare you that.

Our sweet friends, Jed and Alyssa