Christmas...Exhausting but Merry!

We had our first Christmas with my family at lunch on Christmas Eve. It was good to have my family over, and to see how the girls were going to react to presents. They definitely got better by the end of all the Christmas parties, right in time for their birthday party.

Carter with Bailey's toy


The girls getting started


Since it came a big snow/ice storm on Christmas Eve, we decided to go over and stay with Nana Flynt incase the roads got to bad. The Addingtons came over as well, so it was a sleepover. We had a great time, and it was so fun to see the kids faces when they came in the room and saw all their stuff the next morning.

Bailey with one of her gifts, she always had a smile on her face


Kennedy is wondering what it is

I love that she threw her head back in this picture...she loves those puffs

Carter and Bailey at Brady's new train table

This is just a slight glimpse of the craziness that we had going on Christmas morning, but I would not change a minute of it.

That afternoon we had Christmas with Chris's mom and sisters and their families.

Carter and baby Marin, this was the first time he got to hold her, he looks so proud.

Carter getting his remote control bus from Nana

Sorry didn't change the picture around...this is what Kennedy thought of this present...

Bailey just chillin on Uncle Russ, she looks so relaxed

Our final Christmas was with Chris's dad at our house after the girls party. It was a lot of fun, but I am not sure why I don't have too many pictures.

We are so very blessed with all the family and friends that we have to spend time with over Christmas. Although it gets crazy going from place to place, it is always good to remember the reason for the season.

Kennedy and Bailey Birthday Festivities

To start off the girls birthday last Tuesday, their friend Justus brought over some blueberry muffins and some mango tango for breakfast. Justus was not going to be able to make the girls party, but he still wanted to celebrate with them. Thanks, Jessica for making their morning start off on a good note.

Justus and the girls eating their yummy breakfast


Bailey got a tea pot


Kennedy got a purse

Happy 1st Birthday...Kennedy & Bailey

This time last year we were loading the car, and taking Carter to my cousins house so we could have the girls. As we walked into the hospital in no rush at all, I can still remember thinking I can't believe we are having twins!!! They have been such a blessing to us. They make us laugh, cry, and mad, but we love them so much. I love seeing how Carter around them, he is going to be a very protective and sometimes bossy big brother. All of our kids bring such joy to our lives, and we are fortunate to have had these 2 new additions to our house for this last year. We are looking forward to many more memories.

Kennedy is definitely our rotten one!! This face tells it all. She is all over the place, she pretty much runs everywhere she goes, and yes climbs on everything and everyone. She "talks" all the time, and picks on her brother and sister and thinks its funny.


Bailey we used to think was our sweet and innocent one, but have quickly found out she is sneaky. She will be the one that we never know does anything...God help us now. She is crawling everywhere, and takes several steps, but has yet to venture out on her own. She is our lovey, cuddling one, and you just want to squeeze her. She babbles some words, and makes this crazy scream sound when she wants your attention.


Here are our 3 little blessings, we love each of them in different ways. I especially love those times when I hear them all laughing and playing with each other. I know those days/times will be few, but it is truly amazing.

Check out their eyes in these pictures, they are not enhanced at all. I didn't realize how BLUE they actually were.

Paige turns 3

Last weekend Paige had her 3rd birthday party at Chuck E Cheese. We had a good time, and of course most of the big kids did not like looking at the mouse. Oh well, we had some good food, played games, and watched Paige open her gifts.

The only time Paige went to the stage when they honor the birthday kids. You can tell by her face she is not sure of the mouse.


Carter doing what he loves best...playing games


The birthday girl


The girls had a good time too...this is them staring at the mouse, they actually liked it. I think it was just the first time they had seen anything like that.

Jump and Jive

The Saturday after Thanksgiving one of our friends celebrated her 30th birthday but inviting several couples to take ballroom dancing lessons. It was so much fun, and it only made me remember back in college when I actually took a ballroom dancing class...it was so fun. We learned the swing and foxtrot. I think Chris even enjoyed himself.

The group....Laura is the one 3rd from the right, she is the one that turned 30


Chris trying to throw me across the room on one of the swings I am sure...

Marin Shea Lightner

Sorry for the delay in getting this out. Chris's sister Ashley had Marin Shea Lightner last Monday, Nov 30th at 10:30 AM. Amber, Chris and their mom were able to go down to welcome baby Marin to the great state of Texas as most people would say. Mom and baby are doing well, and we can't wait for them to come in at Christmas, so she can meet her cousins and of course and Aunt Misty and Uncle Dane.

Wild and Crazy...

The girls are 11 mths old now, man how time flies. They are getting so big. Kennedy has been walking for a few months, and Bailey just today took a few steps. She by no means is walking, but a few steps is great. She cruises around everything, so I know her legs are getting stronger. Kennedy is into everything and on everything!!! She now stands on Carter's little table, yes on the top...she has NO FEAR! I guess this is how I was when I was little, so I am not really surprised, I am getting my payback.

This was such an adorable picture of Bailey. She had just climbed into Carter's chair, and was so proud of herself.


Kennedy taking Bailey for a ride...she was loving it.


Again, after she had climbed up in the chair


This is the newest thing that they girls have done. They used to just open it when I was in there cooking, but now Kennedy stands in it. What do I do? When I turn my back for one minute they are in something else...oh the joys!

Again with the stove drawer, this time it was when they were with their dad.

They are so fun, and love Carter so much. They also love to fight over toys, which is so funny to watch right now. I am sure it won't be much fun later, but I can laugh now.

Our Little Pilgrim

Yesterday was Carter's Thanksgiving Program and Feast at school. I can at least say he did not make a scene on stage, he literally just stood there. I think he spent most of his time looking for Chris and I, but once he found us he was definitely happy. Too bad he did not find us until the end, and we were even on the 2nd row. He looked so adorable, and I guess I am not surprised he did not sing, he is just like his father.

This is the 3 and 4 yr old preschoolers at Lifeway. Each class was dressed up differently.


So funny...this is after he found us. He is with Jesse and Jack on this right. Jesse was the entertainer throughout the program (so funny) and then there was Jack who hid his face behind his hat the entire time. So again, at least Carter just stood there.


Carter and Mrs. Jarvis his teacher


Carter and us, we got to stay for lunch with his, and I think he thought that was the coolest. And more importantly he did not have to share this time with the girls.

Carter is into taking pictures these days, so this is the one he took of us...pretty good if I do say so.

Johnny Popper

So, if you know my son at all, you know he LOVES tractors. Well, today his Papa Flynt came over and brought his tractor for Carter to ride. He was in heaven. The smile on his face was priceless. The tractor is a 1937 model A tractor, so it was old and had a tendency to pop (hence Johnny Popper).

Chris and Carter...I think they were probably both loving every minute of the drive


Carter driving with Papa


The smile on his face here is my favorite

Friday Night Lights

Gravette is in the state playoffs again this year, so last night Chris and Dane brought out Paige and Carter to the game. Several of our other friends came out as well since they did not have games in their hometowns. As you can tell the kids had a good time.

Carter, Paige and Ava (yep she was cheering for Gravette last night)

What...Me?

The girls are doing great, and getting crazier by the day. Here are just a few pictures of what they do during the day.

Kennedy loves the pantry, and tonight she came out with these Wal-Mart sacks. One was stuck on her foot but she continued to walk all over the house with it on there and carrying the others...crazy


They have recently discovered the cabinet with books/toys, etc. If you look close enough (orange pants) you can see Kennedy sitting in the cabinet


The girls and Carter spend a lot of their days playing in his room, and now both girls love getting on his bed and "jumping." Funny thing is, Carter would have had to put Bailey on the bed, but she loved it.

Start Your Engines...

Last weekend Dane, Russ, Chris, Renae, and I all went to the Nascar Race at Texas Motor Speedway. Most people know that I have been to at least one Nascar race a year since 2002 when I started working at Newell. And since Ashley and Russ live 10 miles from the speedway in Texas we decided that this year we should go there. It was a lot of fun, and a first for Dane and Russ. I think they had a good time, especially seeing all the crazy people that attend the race. I think they probably thought me and Renae were the craziest "stalkers" of all.

The group on pit road...we were able to get a pit/garage tour


Renae and me...she is my racing buddy


The boys...I think Chris was glad he had someone besides me and Renae to hang out with this year.


ZZ Top was the pre-race entertainment...either the sound system wasn't that good, or they weren't that good. The jury is still out on that one. It was cool to see them, but they sang for WAY TOO LONG!

This plane brought the pace car to the race. It landed right in front of us. If you click on the picture, you can actually see the guy giving a thumbs up...it was amazing.

The plane dropping on the car

Kurt Busch won the race...he had to do his victory lap driving backwards around the track.

I know this is not entertaining to some people, but I love it. I know it's weird, but what can I say.