Shootin' Stuff

The boys (Morgan, Robert and Jeff) had enjoyed shootin' stuff earlier in our Christmas vacation and wanted April and I to join in the fun on New Year's Eve. April had shot some before with them but this was my first time.

First of all it was a FREEZING cold day. Not only was it cold but windy too! Since all my warm clothes were in WA, I had to rummage through my parents house in search of appropriate clothing. April, however, is the ultimate example of fashion. She looked so hip in her pea coat and sunglasses while I looked more like a country bumpkin. My main concern was staying warm in my Dad's old coat and Mom's hat -which Morgan made me take off because I looked so ridiculous in.

Doesn't April look more like an actress in a movie shooting? She's such a cute girl!

My turn....Morgan gave me some great coaching advice that eventually helped me hit one of the soda cans.
April showing off her shootin' skills.

Now it was time for Robert and Morgan to show off using the big guns. Jeff threw the discs while Robert and Morgan shot at them.

Jeff and Morgan loading the big gun.

Please take the time to see this clip. The gingerbread house became a target. Watch and see what becomes of it.

Mmmm Mmmm Goodness

After all the work it took to make the gingerbread house, the children were the only ones to enjoy it...at first (more to come on that note).

Occassionally I would find Luke picking the icing off the house and eating it.

Then I found him nibbling on the house! Kaitlyn soon joined in the fun whenever she was over at Maw Maw's. I would hear Luke and Kaitlyn playing and then hear Luke say: "Let's go eat some of the gingerbread house." Then they would go and literally take a bite out of the house!

Christmas Lunch

This was a special Christmas for the Lewis family. It was the first Christmas since 1998 that we were all together on Christmas Day. In years past, Morgan and I had flown out the day after Christmas to be with my parents so this was a rare treat to be with them on Christmas Day.

Paw Paw playing with Connor

The ever glamorous April and Robert

Paw Paw loved playing with his grandchildren! They all have softened him up! There's Kaitlyn, Madison, Miriam, Connor and Luke.
The Christmas feast is almost ready. Can you see my poor mother and grandma in the background slaving away? Thanks for making such a great meal!

My Grandma Aldridge...a very special and influential woman in my life. She never stops working and keeps going regardless of how she might be feeling. She has a strong testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and puts others needs above her own. I love you Grandma!

Brandi, Scott, Brian and Melanie all watching Connor practice his walking skills. He will really be taking off soon!

My mom had Luke and Kaitlyn reenact the Nativity story. Here they come into Bethlehem.

Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus in the manger and the sheep Miriam watching nearby.

Merry Christmas

T'was the Night Before Christmas and all through the house...no one was stirring but Santa's little helpers. Look how nicely and well organized they laid out the children's presents on the fireplace!

Miriam checking out her pile of presents and deciding which one she should open first.
Luke didn't stop to decide which one to open. He just ran and got the first one he came too. From the first day that we arrived at Maw Maw's house, he would ask if it was time to open presents. Now that the time had arrived, he wasn't going to waste a second of it.


Luke and the Batman Helicopter.

Miriam trying out her new baby stroller from Grandma and Grandpa Fife.

Ooooo....pretty dress

Luke was more than willing to assist the Small One in opening her presents.

Luke opening his new tee-ball set from Maw Maw and Paw Paw.

Daddy and Luke trying out the ball and mitt set.

A new Nerf blaster for Luke!

Aha! Santa left a blaster for Daddy too!

Double Aha! Santa left a blaster for Mom too. Watch out boys! It's payback time! These Nerf guns quickly became a favorite for anyone at Maw Maw's. Nothing says loving like shooting each other with foam darts!

Opening presents makes me hungry! Maw Maw made us waffles and sausage for Christmas breakfast. So yummy!

Thank you everyone for the presents that you gave our family. We are so grateful to have each of you in our lives!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve our family went to see some Christmas lights somewhat nearby in Ruffin. A family decorates their yard, home and all their sheds for Christmas each year. It was pretty spectacular to see. The kids loved the lights and Miriam really loved the inflatable displays.

Paw Paw, Miriam and Maw Maw

The Fife family finally wearing winter coats!

Miriam checking out the displays

Fife, Lewis and Shumate Families (Miriam and I were taking the picture so just imagine us standing next to Morgan with freezing smiles on our faces!)

After seeing the lights, we headed home and quickly put the kids to bed so that Santa could make his way to us. The kids didn't seem to fight going to bed that night since they knew that they would be opening presents in the morning. If only it could be that easy every night.

Decorating a Gingerbread House

To help get more in the Christmas spirit, April and Robert bought a gingerbread house for everyone to decorate. The box made it look like so much fun and very simple too. Well it did end up being fun but simple it was not!

April is a very in charge kind of person and she spearheaded this project. 1st step: Icing.

2nd step: Get icing to keep the walls and the roof together.

Step 3: Decorate

Step 4: Keep decorating

Step 5: Let Morgan find a way to keep the tree together and work way too hard on it.

This gingerbread house played quite the role this Christmas. Check out its many different uses in future postings.

Sitting on Santa's Lap

Luke and Miriam did a fantastic job of sitting on Santa's lap this year. The first year ever! Luke told Santa all the things that he wanted and Miriam even gibbered about something. I was so proud of them. I was quite hesitant when Luke said that he wanted to sit on Santa's lap...especially when I saw how long the line was. After 30 minutes, their courage had not failed and our time spent in line had not been in vain. They each got coloring books and had to color in them as soon as we got back to Maw Maw's.