Christmas 2010

We've enjoyed a simple Christmas at home this year. It's been nice to have some down time with just the 5 of us. On Christmas Eve we continued the tradition with the Finleys coming over. We squeezed around the dining room table for a meal and then the dads read the Christmas story with the felt board. It was a sweet time with our dear friends.

Cayce and I are due 11 days apart in early February and both of us are having boys. So thankful that these boys will have a built-in playmate!

It was just the 5 of us on Christmas morning and we took our time doing stockings and gifts. It was sweet time with the kids.

After stockings we ate breakfast together

then we read about Jesus' birth and put baby Jesus in the manger

then we went back to gifts....the kids are holding up their annual Christmas ornament

this year we took each kids shopping with a $2 budget per person to buy a Christmas gift for each of their family members. It was fun to see them give their gifts on Christmas morning.

We spent the rest of the morning playing with their games and crafts they got. They really enjoyed making creations with pipe cleaner and beads....best thing in their stocking for sure!

In the afternoon we headed over to the Elliotts house (Jeremy's older sister) for a family gathering and dinner. Here is Jeremy with his grandmothers.

And we got some snow!

Durham Christmas

We headed to Durham last Friday to gather with all the Chasteens for a pre-Christmas gathering. This was a sweet time for us all to be together because Jon & Leigh live in Boston, Amy is preparing to move overseas this summer, and Don & Scarlet are preparing to move in the near future. It was good for us all to have one last gathering at Papa & Nana's home in Durham and attend the last Durham Christmas Pageant (put on by Ridgecrest Baptist Church where Don is the pastor) and go to church together on Sunday at Ridgecrest. We are thankful we could all be there for these special things. We had a crazy good time with all 17 of us in one house!

We all went to the Christmas Pageant on Saturday night. Here are Nana & Papa with all their grand kids after the show.

Amy & the kiddos ready for the hot tub

We all went to a movie on Monday. Thankfully there were only 2 other people in the theatre besides us. The kids did a great job.

On Tuesday we went to Monkey Joe's for the kids to play. They had a great time and got nice and tired for our ride home!

Leigh and I are expecting baby boy's 1 week apart so soon there will be 10 grand kids!


They all adore their Aunt Amy!

Update on baby boy..

I went for my appointment on Tuesday at 32 weeks pregnant and they did an ultrasound to check on the baby's growth. Based on his head and belly measurements he weighs in at 5 pounds and that puts him measuring at 35 weeks. If only that meant he would come early! Carson was 9 pounds 14 ounces and 23 inches long....looks like we make big boys! I just hope he's not big and late! I'm so very thankful that he is growing and that everything looks good. We are getting excited about meeting this little man!

Matt & Tara's wedding weekend

We had a great weekend celebrating the marriage of Matt & Tara. It is such a joy to witness the marriage of two people you love and know understand the decision they are making to enter into a covenant marriage. We were so thankful to be a part of this special day! The festivities started on Thursday night for the ladies for Tara's bachelorette/lingerie party.
Friday night was the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

Matt with his new "man gift" from his friends

Saturday morning was the bridal brunch. Tara gave Bryn a tea set which she loves!

Matt's first look at his bride!

ready to go! they did a great job!

Mr. & Mrs. Denton!

Papa & Nana were a huge help to us this weekend! Thank you!

11 Years

This past Saturday Jeremy and I celebrated 11 years of marriage! It really is true that this marriage thing gets better every year. I'm so thankful for my husband and that God was so gracious to give him to me. I'm a blessed woman because of him. I look forward to the next 11 years with much excitement and joy. I can't imagine my life without this man by my side. We were honored to spend our anniversary celebrating the marriage of Matt & Tara (more pictures to come)!

The Girls Room

We finally got all the things we needed to move Lydia into Bryn's room and got it set up yesterday. This is a big step in getting ready for baby #4! This little room is maxed out and I just love that they will grow up sharing a room. They were both so excited about the changes in the room. They've done great so far at nap time and bedtime too! Another milestone reached!