Fort Rock Mother/Daughter Retreat

Earlier this fall, Madisyn, Felicity and I attended a Mother/Daughter retreat at Fort Rock Family Camp.  This was my third trip to Fort Rock and I just can't say enough good things about the whole experience. If you know anything about our family, you know that we love to do things that involve the whole family. Fort Rock is wonderful for that. The entire family can visit and work and play together.

One of families we met at family camp last year was also in attendance. We bought some wonderful handmade soap by the girls. We're years away from thinking of creating as many wonderful soap variations as the Runyon family, but Madisyn and I might have to try our hands at making some goat milk soap this winter.

Of course, we did all the iconic Fort Rock things - archery, shooting range and even tomahawk throwing. Who knows, if we attend a few more times we might be able to get all the arrows in the target {archery and shooting 22s with a baby in a Ergo requires extra skill}.

The highlight of the event was the workshops. Michelle, Jana and Jinger Duggar and Nancy Newport brought wonderful sessions on strengthening our Mother/Daughter relationship. Michelle and Nancy are both wonderful Titus 2 ladies. I really wish more older and younger ladies would try to learn from each other. These ladies that have raised faithful, Christian adults without rebellion have so much to share.

I have to say, Michelle Duggar is just as sweet and wonderful in person as she is on TV. It's too bad she doesn't do home visits ala Super Nanny style. I would be first in line to sign us up!

Christmas at Home

We started off Christmas Day with our traditional Christmas Morning pajama picture. This is our last photo as a family of 9.

I'm quite proud of my avid readers, so we gave lots of books for Christmas. If one of the older children has disappeared you can almost guarantee they've snuck off to their room with a book. This year we gave gifts of something to wear, something to read and something you need. With 7 {and soon 8} children we decided to add some "rules" to make things a little simpler.

Madisyn's gift to her brothers was a framed picture of them with Papaw. The boys loved the gifts and promptly hung them on the wall over their beds.

Mary Claire loved her Minnie Mouse shirt with her name on it. The girl loves Minnie Mouse and all things pink.

PJs, Ornament and Movies, Oh My!

Each year on Christmas Eve we the the kids open a gift or two. It's always new pajamas and an ornament for the tree.

This year I was very pregnant and decided to just wrap them all in one box. We also included a new movie to watch as a family on Christmas Eve.

The girls all received animal ornaments. Mary Claire even handled Liberty getting Minnie Mouse pjs well.

The older boys have new tractor ornaments in their respective colors and Henry has a new Thomas ornament. It's so neat to look back at ornaments of years past and remember what each child liked at that point in their lives.

Witcher Family Christmas

We had our first Witcher Family Christmas with our new cousin, Christopher,  this year. The boys have especially enjoyed having another "partner in crime" at family events. We started off with a great meal cooked by Nana with additions made by Aunt Vicki, Aunt Betty, and Aunt Amanda. Our Christmas celebration at Nana's includes lot of extended family members.

Mary Claire's affection has been permanently won by Aunt Vicki, Aunt Betty and Nana because they indulged her Minnie Mouse obsession. She is now decked out with t-shirts, dresses and a couple of dolls. She will even dig her Minnie Mouse clothes out of the dirty basket so she can wear them two days in a row.

Unc provided some entertainment by "stealing" Minnie Mouse. Mary Claire ended up getting a garbage bag to put Minnie in so she could keep it hidden from Unc. She really thought he was going to take Minnie home with him!

Henry also had some items added to his Thomas collection. The way to that boy's heart is through Thomas, especially if you are willing to listen to his Thomas stories.

Liberty received an adorable baby doll. Mary Claire wasn't really interested in her dolls until she was nearly 3. I expected Liberty to follow. She opened the doll and it has barely left her side since. She loves to carry the baby around and pat it's back.

Watch out! Ben got a gun! He has now learned that Mommy and Daddy are not moving targets. Ty had some Nerf guns and all the boys {Christopher included} have enjoyed lots of Nerf battles. That's why God gives boys other boys to play with - they can shoot each other!

The boys also acquired a couple RC trucks. Mommy and Daddy are getting used to the constant sound of whirring wheels tearing through the house.

Madisyn is in Heaven with her Nook from Aunt Vicki. She came home and we immediately loaded it with tons of books. Is enabling a reading addiction a bad thing?

It has become increasingly difficult to find gifts for the Grandparents. We didn't take a new family picture at Christmas this year because of Felicity's impending arrival. Since Madisyn was born, I have become the family photographer. Most of the pictures taken over the last 13 years are in my possession.

 So, Kent and I decided to make Nana a photobook. We included lots of pictures of her, Papaw, Grandpa and both Mamaws with the kids. A few tears were shed but I think it was a well loved gift. 

Over the River and Through the Woods

We traveled to Mom and Dad's for a celebration just before Christmas. We had been sick around Mary Claire's birthday so she started the day off opening some belated birthday gifts.

The kids all lined up and the gift opening started in a nice organized fashion. With 12 kids, including 9 aged 6 and under, the calm didn't last long.

Our first three boys loved tractors but really weren't into characters. Henry, on the other hand, has loved Thomas since he could say the word train. If you ever find the need to bribe him, anything Thomas will get the job done.

Radio Control toys were the highlight of the day. Some of the younger boys received radio control trucks and the older boys opened RC helicopters. Uncle Billy had to make a battery run as the battery supply was quickly depleted.

Madisyn was thoroughly excited to get a bean bag for her room. She loves to read and is very glad to have somewhere other than her bed to sit.

Henry, Ben and Mary Claire also received snuggies. Henry's is a Superman and Ben is Batman. They both run through the house fighting crime on a nightly basis.

Mary Claire and Liberty received a joint gift - their first car! They love it! The first couple of days it was in the house and Mary Claire was quick to institute a "No Boys" rule because they aren't "wittle like me" according to Mary Claire.

Mom and Dad with their dozen grandkids! Good thing There's Room For More!

We're Having a Party

My wonderful children were so excited about having a new sibling that they wanted to throw a party. So at 38 and a half weeks, we had a baby party.

The kids got some help from Nana and planned the whole thing. Madisyn made a pink cake all on her own and shopped for decorations.

Since it was for our 8th child, they invited family and Mr. Mark and Mrs. Janet. We had a great time eating the wonderful stew that Nana made and Madisyn's cake was fantastic.

Baby Felicity even received diapers and a few new outfits. I love how excited our children have always been to welcome a new family member.

Felicity Anne You Are One Week Old!

Felicity Anne you are ONE WEEK old!

In some ways I can't believe a week has already passed and in other ways I can't believe it's only been a week since we first laid eyes on you.

Just last night, Daddy and I were talking about how we can't believe the Lord blessed us with you.

 Big Yawn

You nurse about every 2 hours.

Your night sleeping leaves something to be desired, especially between the hours of 2 and 6 am.

You made your first trip away from the house. We went to the chiropractor in Memphis. You slept all the way there and all the way back. 

You had a check-up on Friday and were already back to your birth weight of 10 lbs 2 oz.

You attended your first church service yesterday.

The entire church loved meeting you. You even got to take part in welcoming a new family as members.

You are quite long. In fact, newborn one-piece footed outfits are too short when you stretch.

You have very long fingers like Ben. Lots of speculation has been made that you will be a tall girl. We'll have to wait and see. ;)

Introducing . . . .

Miss. Felicity Anne

Felicity made her appearance Sunday, January 5th at 5:42 am in another God-orchestrated, perfect birth. She weighed 10 lbs 2 oz and was 21 1/2 inches long.  

We're absolutely smitten!

Thanksgiving Weenie Roast {Part 2}

I love this picture that Madisyn caught of Lynden and Ellison. They look like they are sharing a secret.

Mom and Robin did a great job organizing everything.

Justin decided that hot dogs weren't cutting it and confiscated Dad's brats. I think they learned that brats don't cook very well over a campfire. Some slightly raw sausage may have been consumed.

The boys had a great time cooking marshmallows. However, I'm pretty sure that more hit the ground or flames than were actually eaten.

This is an example of Mary Claire and Izzy's "direction" of Liberty and Isaac. I heard lots of "sit here", "No, sit down", "You want to stay right there". LOL What would younger kiddos do without older siblings to direct their ways?!?



I added this picture in to show the other side of Mary Claire. That girl has a sassy side. I get this look at least thrice daily. LOL