Where's the Pictures?

Travis and I usually never get each other gifts. We just take whatever Christmas money we might get and go shopping together. It's fun for us since we don't normally have extra spending money to blow. But, this year Travis broke the rules. He bought me a new camera. Mine was dropped a couple of months ago,and it hasn't been acting right since. I've enjoyed it, so far, but still have kinks to work out. That's also why my last posts don't have pics....I can't find where they are on the computer and Travis isn't here to show me!! Don't worry, I'll add them later!

Life-long Friends

For the many places that Travis and I have lived, we have met and become friends with lots of people. But because of the craziness of life and circumstances, we have not kept up with many of them. There are a few, however, that we have maintained relationships with. One family is the Coffelts from Pryor, Oklahoma. We all met in college, and our paths have continued to cross over the years. A bonus is that Pryor is kinda in the path from here to Oklahoma. So, there have been a few times when we had a little extra time, that we will stop and hang out with them for a while. This was one of those times. We left Travis' family on Saturday afternoon and were in Pryor by 7pm. James is a pastor there and their church services are on Saturday night, so when we got there we attended their church. It was wonderful and refreshing.

We then ate out with a group from the church, and then headed to their house. We already had Sunday off from our church so we were set for a night of playing and catching up. Little did we know that it would be 6:30 AM before we would see our beds! We all slept in, of course, and then spent Sunday relaxing.

Later that evening, some people from their church came over and we just sat and had our own worship time with guitars, mandolins and a piano, oh yeah, and James' new toy, some new kind of drum. It was really fun.

Then we hung out playing Apples to Apples, Fact or Myth, and Rock Band. Travis and I were the only ones to score 100% on our parts!!! lol. Anyway, one more late night (3am for me) and we woke up to leave for home on Monday.

We are so thankful for lifelong friends like James, Jamie, Riley and Rance. I feel so loved to know that God places people like these in our lives to refresh us, make us laugh, and that we can come into their home and feel like we never left! Can't wait for the next time!

Look at me, I'm Baking!

For the past few years our families have drawn names. We did with my family, but somehow time got by and we didn't with Travis'. We weren't really sure what we were supposed to be doing, so I just thought I would do something "creative" for everyone. I wasn't sure what, but I had went over to my friend, Betsy's house who was making goodies for all of her family, and I was inspired! So, I purchased some pretty Christmasy plates and made some yummies for everyone at Christmas. There were some things I had never tried before, but I thought they turned out pretty good! I just might like this baking thing, who knows!

3 Christmases

After having Christmas with my family on Sunday, Christmas continued for us on Christmas Eve. We spent Tuesday getting ready for the trip to Oklahoma and for a family Christmas on Christmas Eve morning. The kids woke up early, of course, and we read the Christmas story and opened presents. They had their stockings and some stuff from other people, but the one family gift we got was the Wii. They were very surprised and we hooked it up immediately! We then got ready and made our trip to Oklahoma to be with Travis' family. We all stayed in the same house so that we could wake up together. We opened presents, first thing, and then spent the rest of the day playing with our stuff! It was nice to have everybody there. The kids enjoyed getting to spend time with everyone. Part of Travis' gift to his mom was to purchase a new faucet for her kitchen and install it. He worked very hard all day Friday, but he got it done! He has become very handy over the past few months! I was very proud of him to do that for her.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! On to the New Year!

Wow! Am I behind or what!? The family that we were staying with over Christmas did not have internet at the house so there are so many things that I want to share with you!!! But I am not going to put it all in one blog so be sure and go back and read everything!!! Happy Reading!

Happy Birthday to my good friend, Betsy!!! Hope it's a great one!

Out on the town

There was a tradition that was beginning in our family. It was to go out and buy each other's presents, eat out, and then do something as a family (probably a movie). But we are trying to make things different this year. For one thing, my kids do not need more STUFF! So, in an effort to do this, we only bought 1 family gift. Well, that takes away the need to go shopping. But they did need winter coats! So, last night we took off and went to Branson. We shopped (and bought) coats, ate at Cracker Barrel (per Tyler's request), and then went to Shepherd of the Hills and drove through the Trail of Lights. Travis and I had been there before, but it had been many years. It took us about 1 hour and there are tons of lights. It was a really good evening with our family, and now, thanks to our new coats, we feel ready for the cold weather!!! Bring it on!