Love Grows Here

Since we left the cabin on Christmas day, Corey had the idea to head to Hope and see my side of the family on Christmas Day too.  I said yes!  We can surprise them!  We have an every other year schedule so they had no idea this would happen.  We drove four hours to surprise them and say Merry Christmas Day!  Gray knew we were coming, but Mom and Dad were quite surprised!  John walked in first and Berry (mom) stood there with her mouth wide open!  I had talked to her a few hours before and told her we had not left the cabin yet.  

The grandkids gave Bop and Berry this plate.  I thought it turned out so good. 

 The kids did such a good job on their handprints and were sooo cooperative that day!  Berry and Bop loved it and are putting it in their kitchen.

 We got there just in time for dinner and poppers!

 The boys played a little foosball!

 John sang Feliz Navidad for everyone.  He will pull out a serious performance at a moments notice.  Love him!

 My Uncle Bruce and Aunt Christina were there with two of their kids, Sarah and Nicholas.  Unfortunately we missed David and his family because of a bug they had.

The boys loved playing with Nicholas.  I'm sure he was worn out.  They were all over him! 

Ramsey and John ended up staying with Bop and Berry for a couple of days.  Corey, James and I went back home late that night.  Fun times and a great end to Christmas 2011!

Santa Was Here!

 Look what Santa left!  Lots of cool toys!  The Star Wars sleeping bags were actually from Bop and Berry.

 What does Santa get the third little boy of the family?  A little boy that already has everything his big brothers have passed down?  Every riding toy, remote control toy, games, and trucks and balls galore?  He thought really hard and came up with some cute stuff!  The Tickle Monster book was one of James' favorites!  I'm so glad Santa brought it.  I've wanted to get it for a long time!

James got his own bean bag from Bop and Berry.  He loves it!  Now he doesn't have to share with Ramsey and John. 

One thing John so wished for was this Pirates of the Caribbean Lego ship.  The Black Pearl to be specific!

They were thrilled to receive these!  They both had Ipods at the top of their list.  When Ramsey didn't see it in his stocking, I could tell he was disappointed.  It was a little sad.  :(  John was so excited about everything else that he didn't notice that Santa had not brought an Ipod.  A few minutes later Ramsey said to John, "Let's see what is in this box."  It was neat!  They were happy!

Christmas morning pajama picture.

James loves this little Elmo play-doh thing!  We have played with it a lot!

Foosball from Papa Duke and Mama Duke.  They love this too!

 James loves this new train from Papa Duke and Mama Duke.  He takes it apart and puts back together over and over.  Then he pulls it for a little while before changing it up again.  So cute!

James and Papa Duke talking about coffee. Ha!

Quick pic with Sanet's girls, Kristi and Heather before they left!

And a pajama pic with Aunt JJ and Uncle Adam!

We got ready Christmas Day and left the cabin by 2:00.  While we were packing up, Ramsey and John were roaming around the many acres of land.  By themselves, yes, but Ramsey is seven and pretty level headed so it was fine. :)  Corey and I were packed and ready so I went to find the boys.  I came to the top of a hill and looked down the other side and saw John sitting on Milkshake by himself.  Just sitting there.... 

James ran straight over to Milkshake and I asked, "How did you get up there?"  He told me Ramsey helped him, but I didn't see Ramsey.  I looked on down the hill and I saw Ramsey standing with Don, the donkey.  Oh my!  I wish I could have seen Ramsey trying to put John on Milkshake's back.  Poor Milkshake, he's such a good sport. 

Do you see the boys down by the river with Don? 

Thanks Papa Duke and Mama Duke for a great Christmas!

Merry Christmas from all of the Jennings!!!

We had a great time Christmas Day.  It all went way too fast.  The boys were at such great ages this Christmas.  Everything was magical to them and I enjoyed watching at every moment.  Ramsey and John are old enough to know why we celebrate Christmas and are very serious about the birth of Jesus.  They are inquisitive about Jesus' birth and I love hearing them talk about our Lord that loves them so much!  James finally understood the whole Santa thing this year.  He is pure joy to me.  I love my little family with all my heart.  I just wish we could ALL stay this age forever! 

Christmas Eve

We traveled to the cabin in the woods for Christmas this year.  We spent it with Corey's side of the family and the boys are always glad to go to "the cabin" for the holidays.  

These couple of pictures of James and Papa Duke were actually taken on the 23rd when we had just arrived.  James and Papa Duke are drinking coffee.  James is really drinking half and half with a splash of coffee.  He loved  it!  They had there "coffee" each day we were there!

On Christmas Eve we had a horse ride scheduled around lunch time.  I got up and cooked breakfast of poppy seed ham and Swiss rolls before we headed out.  James seemed excited before the ride but the minute he got on the horse he started whining.  Then crying.  Then saying he wanted to get down.  I felt so sorry for Corey, but I was also laughing hysterically at them.  James would not face forward and sit in the saddle so Corey had to hold him while trying to ride the horse.  Meanwhile, I had the perfect horseback riding partner!  Ramsey had listened very carefully to everything the instructor told him and he followed the rules to perfection.  I got reprimanded by Ramsey a few time for not holding the reigns just right.  Ramsey is my rule follower!

Ramsey and I ready to go on Stormy!

A little reminder on the trail for the reason for the season!

Are we having fun yet?  Sorry the pictures are blurry.  It could have been because I was riding a horse while trying to take picture or maybe it was because I was laughing so hard at Corey's attempt to hold a two year old while steering a horse.  Luckily these horses were well trained because Corey said he didn't even hold on to the reigns most of the time and just hoped "Dillon" would be OK steering himself!

At the end of the ride, Corey finally got James to turn around for a couple of pictures.

James' overalls came unbuttoned, his diaper looks full, his boots came off before we even started, and Corey's arm looks so tired!  I hope James enjoyed his first horseback ride!  His sweet daddy never complained and just laughed about it!

John rode Big Mac with Uncle Adam.  John talked Adam's ear off.  Adam said he didn't stop talking the entire time.  :)

After we finished riding, we got to visit with and feed some carrots to the other horses and ponies.  We still had not seen Milkshake though.  Ramsey's favorite pony gets to roam wherever he pleases with his friend, Don the Donkey.

This pony is "Casper".  See the ghost on his side.

This is Israel.  Sweet Donkey.  He loved those carrots.  We saved a few carrots in case we saw Milkshake and Don.  Where could they be?

When we got back to our cabin, there they were!  Milkshake and Don in the front yard!  We were so excited!

 John quickly got the carrots out to feed Milkshake.

While I do love Don, I wanted a picture of the boys with just Milkshake.  I was trying to move Don out of the way and he was not having it.  Every time I turned around he was right in my face.  By the end of the weekend, Ramsey was saying, Mommy I know Don is your favorite!  He was so sweet and funny too!

Ramsey is laughing at Don and me!

Ramsey adores this sweet pony and could be found outside by himself talking to him and petting him.  He stood outside with him until almost dark Christmas Eve.

John horsing around with Papa Duke and Mama Duke.

Ramsey is very serious about feeding "Don" apples while his crazy mother is on the back of Don having a good 'ole time.  Ramsey and Don are totally ignoring me!  This is at the front porch of our cabin.

Later in the afternoon, some of our crew went on a hike to Goat's Cave.  I was not one of them.  I would have loved to have gone, but I stayed back with James and John.  I put James down for a nap and just relaxed with John, Jamie, Sanet and Kristi.  From the pictures, it looks like a neat place!

 Corey said to be glad I didn't go because Ramsey climbed some scary stuff!  Thanks Corey for letting me know!

 This is from the opening of the cave.

It was pitch dark in there!

 A bat!

 Ramsey crawling through the cave.

 He, of course, loved every minute of it!

Again, it was so dark in there!

How did my baby get there?  And how will he get down?

When Ramsey got back from the hike, he found Milkshake not too far from our cabin and loved on him some more!

 Ramsey telling Milkshake goodnight and Merry Christmas on Christmas Eve.  It was getting dark outside, but it was so hard for Ramsey to leave him.  I heard him say, "Your coat will keep you warm tonight."  My sweet, sweet Ramsey.

********************************

FLASHBACK!!!

Ramsey's first time to meet Milkshake.  Five years ago!  Thanksgiving, 2006.

With Milkshake in 2009.

********************************

After a full day, we took showers and got ready for Christmas Eve dinner....

Thanks to Sanet, Heather, Kristi and Jamie for the yummy food.  I contributed a homemade pumpkin pie!

After dinner, Carolers came to our door!  John was proud to sing along!

Next it was time to sprinkle the reindeer food on the front yard.  The boys ready to put it in just the right spot!  Don't they look precious in their Christmas pajamas?  Thanks again Berry!

Ramsey and John did a good job with the reindeer food while James danced around on the front porch.

Before bedtime the boys said good-bye to Junior.  It is always sad for me to see them say good-bye.  I know the magic of Christmas will soon be ending and we will not see him again until around Thanksgiving.  Despite the fact they were so excited about Santa coming, the boys fell fast asleep that night.  They were worn out!  Although they never get to wake up at their house on Christmas, I wouldn't trade the memories we make each year for anything!  They had smiles on their faces all day.  It was truly a magical Christmas Eve!