Christmas #1

This past Saturday we all gathered at our house to exchange gifts for Christmas. Only Mary Beth and Alejandra were not able to be here. It was crazy wild with 7 kids 5 and under but so much fun. I will let the pictures do the talking.

 

What an angelic face.

This was a new swing I had put up and it was an instant hit.

Lots of presents to open.

This little girl is OCD opening her gifts.

Blake and Molly

Alex- such a beautiful young lady - inside and out.

Little EK - our shy but sweet little girl.

What? How did Batman get here? aka Duncan

It is group tackling on the presents.

Jayden with his light saber

Sweet Barren.

Sweet craziness.

Christmas cookies

 This weekend we had the annual Sudan cookie decorating contest. It was held at the Marable's house this year. As usual it was a fun time (as you can see the kids were even involved) and there was not any trash talking this year. We were sad that MB was sick and so she and Alejandro could not make it.

Getting the dough ready.

Sweet Barron did not know what all the fuss was about.

 Even Jordan got in the act this year.

 Luana is the official icing maker.

 Sweetness personafied.

 How can you say no to this guy?

 Such a pretty little girl.

 Emery Kate and Jayden hard at work.

 The eventual winner hard at work.

 Christy at work while trying to keep all her kids under control at the same time.

 Past champion hard at work on his legendary "Santa".

 Our hostess who did great despite being pregnant.

 Nothing attracts a little girl like a baby - Mollie, Hallie Jane and Campbell.

 The winners!!!

 The winning cookie!!!

 A glimpse of the other entries.

 Artie's christmas tree thematic cookie - with lights and ornaments.

The sad losers - but in reality at the cookie decorating contest there are no losers.

Thanksgiving

This was our year to be with our kids for Thanmksgiving. We met at my sister-in-law's house in McKinney and had our whole family as well as hers and their dad and his wife, Bettye, and Alex's parents and her sister and fiance. It was quite a crew but we had a great time. Everyone brought food and it was wonderful and the house is suited for entertaining and the Websters are great at hosting. There were good conversations, good football (go RG III), and lots of laughter as 8 little kids ran around and filled the house with joy. We certainly had a lot to be thankful for. Enjoy the pics. Sorry but Jason and Alex arrived too late to get theirs taken.

Mary beth and Alejandro

The Marable family

Artie and Luana

The Ogden family

The Websters

Sweet cousins

It's a boy

This past Saturday Blake and Amy celebrated their 30th birthday parties (Amy 3rd, Blake 10th) and also had a reveal party so we all could know the gender of their new baby. It was a great party (that is all they know how to throw) with 50 adults and >20 kids. They have a bunch of sweet friends , not to mention a ton of family from both sides. The food, from Chuy's, was excellent and the highlight came at 7:30 when Blake cut the cake and blue, yes blue, batter appeared. There was an enormous squeel from the crowd and little tears started in Blake's eyes. It was an amazing moment. We are so thankful for the new baby and certainly would have been just as excited if it were a girl. They have two precious ones already. But it is always fun for a dad to have a boy (though I can say that I would not trade my 3 girls for anything). Enjoy the pics.

   

Baptism

     The book of I John says that there is no greater joy than to know that your child is walking in the truth. Well that goes for grandchildren as well. Years ago before we had any grandkids, the Lord gave me a promise that all of my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to the 4th generation with their spouses would have a relationship with Jesus and would walk in purity. The corallary to that was that each generation would know Him in a deeper and fuller way than the generation before. Already I have seen that in my own kids who are all pursuing God wholeheartedly and are way ahead of where we were.

     This past Sunday our oldest grandchild, Jayden, was baptized by his dad, the pastor, in a horse trough at their church. It was an amazing time to begin to see the fulfillment of that promise in the next generation. I give all the praise and glory to God. I pray that he would be a leader not only to his other siblings but also to his cousins as well. Go Jayden!!!!