Grace, my dancer.

Christmas Performance at the Dancer's Studio.

Zion turns 4!!!!

My boy turned four!!! Of all the places he could have chosen, Chucky-e-Cheese was the pick of the day. So the giant rat was the birthday theme.

Getting into the Christmas spirit.

We spent the afternoon doing "Christmasy" things. First we went to the Civic Coliseum to see the Nativity Pageant. We go EVERY year and always enjoy it. It is never anything spectacular, but I love the simplicity of the pageant. It brings me back down off of the "holiday high" and reminds me the real reason of Christmas.

Then we headed to the Church Street United Methodist Church for the walk through Bethlehem. It was our 7th or 8th year to attend and we love more each year. There were less animals this year. But we went later in the day and there was no crowd. So everyone got to take their time and enjoy the walk. Here are a few pictures....

Here is a picture of the church. It is an absolutely beautiful church. They will let you take a tour and tell you about its history if you go on Bethlehem Sunday. I highly recommend taking advantage of the opportunity.

Grace seems to be growing by the minute. She didn't want to participate in all the child friendly activities today. It seems bitter sweet to watch her changing into a young lady. I love seeing the woman she is becoming but I miss the child in her.

Aaron enjoyed the animals. And yes I know he needs a haircut.

The little guys love Elijah. He totally embraces the big brother role in his life. I pray that he can be a GOOD role model for them. They definitely look up to him.

I think she paid him to do that!!!!!

Cozy!

We spent the weekend in the Smokies. Although the weather was VERY cold outside the fireplace inside our cabin was warm and cozy. We had a really nice and relaxing few days. And the good Lord knows I really needed it. Here are a few pictures....


Grace enjoyed the cabin. She claimed the loft as her own and loved all the room she had to spread out her stuff!

Everyone took pleasure in using the pool table. Elijah loved having his dad teach him how to play. Fred spent hours playing pool with the boys. It was really good for all of them to enjoy something together.

Aaron had a great time. He loves being on the go. He especially liked the fireplace.

Isaac was pleasantly pleased with the cabin. He thought we were going to cabin like you find at a campground. Needless to say he was happy to be wrong.

Zion has a good time everywhere he goes. He especially enjoyed the hot tub.

I personally enjoyed seeing my family have a good time. We went to Dollywood to see "Babes in Toyland," went to Red Lobster for dinner, and spent hours walking the streets of Gatlinburg. It was really a wonderful weekend.

Her first "ball!"

Here are a few pictures of Grace getting reading for her first masquerade ball. The the theme of the ball was woodland creatures. She went as a fairy. I thought she was gorgeous but then again I am a little bias.

Off to the zoo, how about you?

We had such a good time at the zoo on Tuesday. There couldn't have been more than 150 people in the entire zoo. The weather was absolutely great. It was just the perfect afternoon. We went to the petting zoo for the first time in quite awhile. There was a new baby calf named Jack, short for Jack-o-lantern. And get this, he is orange!! How cool is that?

Other than that it has been a typical week. If you can call homeschool life with five kids typical.

WAHOO!!

This is what I did today. And man was it amazing!! My dad took me zip lining for my 40th birthday. We had a great time.