Visit with Santa yesterday...

wish I could have been faster on this one... it is still so sweet though!

and even Katy was there!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I promise I haven't forgotten about our blog... I've just been super busy since my last post! Besides keeping up with our three wildly energetic and always getting wilder boys, I've had alot of work to do. In November, I did four shows for my stationery, and I've been going non-stop since then. At last count, I did over 2190 holiday cards, 1760 notecards, and 1395 enclosure cards just since November. Wowzers!! I just delivered my last order yesterday, so I am officially DONE for the season! I basically worked myself into a sickness and was pretty much down for the count all last week, but am better now and actually got our own cards out just in the nick of time! My poor husband and children are tired of me saying, "I can't right now, I have to work"! So no more of that for a couple of weeks anyway. (although I am meeting with a bride tomorrow, but she's not getting married until August, so we've got plenty of time) Now we are just enjoying Jonathan's time off and getting ready for the big day on Thursday, when we'll open presents with the boys and Jonathan's parents, and then drive to Atlanta to spend a few days with my family. The fun never ends! I will post pictures soon, I just wanted to write a quick update on why I haven't been updating!
New Year's resolution #1- update blog more.
Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday! May God fill your lives with His goodness and grace.

The Hike

ready for the climb!

most of our group

I love mountain streams! This is going to be easy!

okay, maybe not

we're getting close...

only 0.1 miles left!!!!!

LeConte Lodge cabins

the view from the Lodge

the Dining Hall

at sunset

getting ready for the descent

team "First to the Top" (but it wasn't a competition- right, Sarah?)

What an awesome trip!!! Last week, Jonathan and I got to go with a large group of friends to the Smokies to hike up Mt. LeConte. We started early Thursday morning after a good breakfast at the Pancake Pantry in Gatlinburg, and got to the top a little after lunch time. The elevation is 6593 feet, so it was a pretty serious climb, but not too serious for these rookies! We, along with our hiking buddy Sarah, were first to the top! The Lodge at the top is such a cool little place- with rustic cabins, a Dining Hall and a big gathering room in the Lodge office for everybody to hang out in by the propane heater and play games. (and toilets that flush!!) The best part is just sitting outside in one of the rocking chairs and taking in all the beauty that God has made! After a big dinner in the Dining Hall (they even made me veggie meatloaf! yum!) we hiked out to a rocky crag (don't know if that's the correct term) to watch the sunset and sing. It was cold!! I think it got down to 29 that night. After a not-so-restful night, we ate a huge breakfast and then headed back down the mountain. It was so beautiful and just such a great experience- we would highly recommend it to anyone who wants a little mountain adventure! All their reservations are taken up like a year in advance, so you kind of have to plan REALLY early, but it's worth it! Thanks to our Harber friends for planning it all and giving us some last minute spots, and thanks to Jonathan's parents for keeping the wild bunch so we could go!

Here come the "ring bears"

My little cousin Alex got married Friday night! Congratulations to he and his sweet, beautiful bride Lindsey! Eli and Cooper were the "ring bears", as they kept calling themselves. We weren't sure if they were actually going to do it, but they did so much better than I expected! They were so cute in their little suits with their special pillows- I even started tearing up when they started down the aisle! The wedding was at the Hermitage (home of Andrew Jackson for you non-Tennesseans) and was supposed to be outside in the side garden, which was amazingly beautiful, but right before the ceremony was to begin, God had other plans- and the rains came pouring down. They moved everybody to the tiny auditorium inside the museum and had the ceremony there. So Eli and Cooper only had to walk about 10 feet down the aisle instead of the original 50 or so in the garden, which meant they had way less time to fall flat on their face and start screaming or start chasing each other around in circles, crashing in to a candle along the edge of the aisle, setting an elderly lady's dress ablaze. (yes, these thoughts were going through my mind- they're only 2!) We had at least taken most of the pictures outside that afternoon. Other than the rain, everything was wonderful and beautiful and sweet, just as weddings are supposed to be!

Boy have we been busy...(a bunch of posts all rolled in to one)

We went to see the Hayes in Spring Hill on Wednesday. The boys had so much fun playing with Maddy and Jack, whom they hardly ever get to see now that they moved to the country! I had to pry them off of the tractor. I think I have a great idea for Christmas this year...

Maddy and Cooper

Cooper, Maddy and Silas

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Eli and Cooper started a "tumbling tots" class at the Y on Wednesday. They absolutely loved it. Olympics- here we come!!

Cooper

Eli

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Silas started school on Tuesday. His last year of preschool!

with his teachers, Miss Lynne and Miss Kelly

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On Labor Day, Jonathan (and Cooper) started building me a little garden plot in the backyard. I'm so excited to start planting some vegetables for the fall! And no, honey, it won't turn into a sand box.

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Another Labor Day project- Eli & Cooper helped Daddy wash the cars (but mostly washed themselves)

While they washed I took some pics of my some of my favorite flowers- purslane (or moss rose I think). They are so pretty and just never give up no matter how dry it's been. I need flowers like that! I know you are laughing at me right now Amanda. (If you're even bothering to read this) :)

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A fun play date with Embry and Corinna Beard

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Our neighbor and friend Tiffany just had a litter of 8 puppies (her dog, not herself) and Eli and Cooper got to love and torture them when they were just a few days old!

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Eli helping me take pictures at Silas' soccer practice

and Cooper too...

notice the new haircut...Jonathan took him, not me

The soccer season started for Silas a couple of weeks ago and the boys are all loving running around and showing off their skills! (just kidding about the skills part...don't really have any to speak of, but they do have fun!)