I'm Still Here and Christmas 2012

I know it looks like I have been missing since November of 2012.  In all actuality, I feel like I have!  My life seems to be one big blur from December until now.  A lot has happened with the Brown family, and some of it will be left "unblogged."  I have debated writing about and posting pictures of my precious mother-in-law, Lucy, who is now in Heaven with Jesus.  She passed away on December 27th.  I decided that those emotions are still pretty raw and in all honesty, I think I am just going to keep my memories of her and the forever prints she left on my life between my little family and me.  I could never put into words or show in pictures who she truly was and I would always feel I hadn't given her adequate acclamation.  She was an amazing woman who taught me what it means to be a true servant, a devoted mother, and a bargain shopper! (My husband would say I'm still working on that last one!)  If you knew her, your life was blessed in some way by her acts of service and mothering ways.  Her legacy will forever live on in the lives of her two sons and their families, and her five grandchildren will always be reminded of how much their Lucy loved them.

So, my plan is to get caught up with a Christmas post, the birth of my niece and Payton's birthday, and then fast forward to the present!  The present involves a new town, a new house and a new school for the kids!  Like I said...much has happened in the past few months with this family of five!

CHRISTMAS 2012

Santa visit
(First one we have gotten with Payton actually smiling!)

Little explanation concerning this picture:  My oldest was not the least bit excited that I was making him take a picture with Santa.  I assured him it would continue to take place for many years to come and he better put on his happy pants.  While we were waiting in line, I told him that his punishment for having such a terrible attitude was that he was going to color with his sisters while they waited.  Nothing could be more torturous to a 9-yr-old boy.  He joined the smaller kids at the coloring table where he was a good 3-5 years older than the others sitting and coloring.  Score one for Mama!  He was learning his lesson.  He quietly colored with Payton and Reagan and then walked over and handed this to me with a look of satisfaction on his face.  I was so touched that he actually took my punishment seriously, took his time and colored a picture.  It wasn't until a little while later that I carefully studied the picture.  Score one for Landon.  Touche. 

We attended the Christmas Eve service at our church with Pops, Uncle Greg, Aunt Kristie, Brandt and Carson.

When we got home, our elf and Brandt's and Carson's elf had left a note, pjs and hot chocolate mugs for the kids.

Matching Jammies!

Decorating Cookies for Santa

Daddy read the Christmas Story and prayed with the kids before we all hit the hay so Santa could come.

Daddy telling the kids that Santa indeed came!

Payton's Pile

Landon's Loot

Reagan's Really Rad Gifts (That was a stretch, huh?) 

Happy Kids!

Sweet sisters playing with one of Reagan's gifts

This was the one thing Payton asked Santa for...a sleeping mask.  She sleeps with it every single night.  It's not on her face, but laying beside her head on her pillow.

Reagan got the lanyard she asked for so she could pretend to be a real teacher!

On Christmas Day, we headed to Waco.

Look at all of those stockings!  Santa must put in many extra hours for the Boyd family!
Sweet Sam loves Bailey!  (He calls her Cookie...no idea why.)

My three girls

Let the stocking opening begin!

This picture makes me laugh.  Is it just me, or does Riley look like she has a cigarette in her right hand?
Belly hanging out and smoking at the age of one...We start em' young, folks!

Brewer was thrilled about his new bicycle helmet!

Payton and Holden

A saxophone and a clarinet...These two items were at the top of her wish list!

A Bitty Baby for Riley

Cupcake maker for Reagan

All the big kids got Under Armour hoodies.

Aunt Ash and one of her biggest fans

There is a reason they love her so much! 

Doc and Mimi with the grandkids

A little more like normal!

 MERRY CHRISTMAS 2012!