Mamaw comes to town

Recently on a beautiful Saturday, Mamaw came to town. So the kids loaded up and headed to Papaw's house to see Mamaw and Aunt Betty. Aunt Betty brought some adorable clothes for Mary Claire including a plaid dress that is too sweet. Uncle Phillip and Aunt Vicki were there and we all had a good visit. I'm known as the photography nut in the family and they tolerate my paparazzi style impromptu photo shoots pretty well. ;-)

Christmas #2

Mary Claire wasn't much for partying at our Witcher Family Christmas but she was adorable nonetheless.

We spent a lot of time taking pictures. I'm amazed how much "family" our kids have. I didn't have any Grandfathers or great-grandparents growing up and my kiddos have two Grandfathers, a Great-Grandfather and 3 Great-Grandmothers. I want them to always remember their great-grandparents. I treasure any pictures I have of my grandmothers.

I think Mamaw looks a little scared in this one. Maybe she should be - Griffin looks a little shifty. ;-)

Griffin wore his white shirt and was so upset when he got there and Papaw was wearing a striped shirt. Papaw changed so Griffin could match and it made Griffin's day.

We had quite a crew for our celebration. Calen couldn't make it but we were so glad Uncle Phillip, Aunt Vicki, Brooke and Joey joined us. Aunt Vicki and Uncle Phillip amaze me at how involved they are in our kids lives (Aunt Betty as well - though she can't make it to as much since she doesn't live here). They really have a special bond.

How did Grandparents ever get to be old enough to be Grandparents without their Grandkids there to help them? :-D

Every year various family members ask for a Christmas list for the kids. My reply is always the same - Anything tractor related for the boys and anything horse related for Madisyn.

Aunt Vicki got Mary Claire an adorable monkey dress.

The gift of the evening was purchased by Unc and Papaw.

It was for all 6 kids but Madisyn was the primary gift opener.

A PONY!!! Skeeter had to spend a few more weeks being ridden so he would be ready for the job ahead of him! ;-) Madisyn has kept the picture close by and has shown it to anyone who would look. LOL

This is Griffin's default position at Nana and Papaw's house. That boy sure likes to watch TV.

Ty purchased a construction tool set for his brothers and set to work putting it together and showing them how it worked.

Safety conscious Henry, reporting for work.

Mary Claire found some calming activities to participate in.

Nana and Papaw enjoyed checking out everyone's favorite Christmas gift.

If we're ever attacked by aliens, I think I'm in good hands. ;-)

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

One of Mary Claire's first times to leave the house was to go visit Great-Grandpa Lawrence. He turned 95 about a week after she was born.

Grandpa tolerated "help" opening his chocolate cherries. I'm not sure he could have gotten them open without 6 of his great-grands. ;-)

Mary Claire visited wiht Mamaw as well who kept calling her a "little doll".

Pictures with one child can be a challenge - 6 is near impossible.

Happy Birthday, Mamaw!

One our of last trips before Mary Claire was born was to visit Mamaw Witcher on her birthday. Madisyn and Ty rode with Papaw and we met at Colton's. Aunt Betty and April also joined us. We had a great time wishing Mamaw a Happy Birthday!

Final Christmas post

Yes, I realize Christmas was a month ago.

Yes, I realize it's now 20 - 10.

Or is it Two Thousand and Tin? That's the proper way to say 10 - just ask my budding reader ;).

But, I want to share so feel free to mark me read on your blog reader and find someone who is posting from the proper decade. ;)



Kent's family came to our house for a Christmas dinner this year and Madisyn decided that our decorations weren't quite up to par. It says "Have a Joly Joly Time!!! thanks for being family" I thought it was pretty sweet.

Henry is always ready for a good time.

And they're off. I can't imagine what it will be like when some cousins join the fun. Our kids always have such a great time when Nana, Papaw, Uncle Phillip, Aunt Vicki, Brooke, Joey and Calen come over.

This is a favorite gift. Madisyn is always trying to read in the car but her overhead light causes me problems with driving. So we bought her a book light and solved the problem. Only Ben thinks it's a flash light and that it's his, so now we have another problem. ha!

Henry and Daddy

Uncle Phillip reads the best stories. You can never go wrong with anything that has a green tractor on the front.

I think this is the only proof that Ben sat still for .003 seconds.

We gave Mamaw and Grandpa a copy of one of the pictures we took at Thanksgiving. It has the two of them along with our 5 children. I don't know how many times Mamaw picked it back up and looked over it. She absolutely loves it. I really like to give photo gifts to the grandparents/great-grandparents. They all have more expendable income than we do and they already have most anything they need/want. I think that picture was Mamaw's most prized gift.

My poor daughter. She didn't get a Western mommy. Good thing that cousin Brooke is there so show her what all the cowgirls are wearing this season. Aunt Vicki and Brooke got Madisyn a horse necklace and barrel racing earrings and I think they have been worn every day. Madisyn even takes the earrings out at night and puts them back in.

Everybody loves to cuddle with Henry bug.

I'm not really sure who is laughing more here, Griffin or Uncle Phillip. When Uncle Phillip comes over, everyone sleeps very soundly that night (and I think Uncle Phillip does too ;) ).

You oughta be in pictures

When Kent's family was over for Thanksgiving, we had a little photo shoot.

I actually took this picture with the timer on our camera. I have a Canon EOS Rebel XS and I think one of it's best features is that you can set the timer to take 10 pictures in a row. We've used it the last few years and have managed to get better pics than when someone else is controlling the camera (I think it's because the kids aren't distracted by what someone is doing. They just look at the constantly flashing light. LOL)

All the kids with their Great-Grandparents. Griffin and (Walter) Henry are named after Grandpa.

Kent with his parents and brother.

Thanksgiving #2

A few years ago we started the tradition of staying home on Thanksgiving and Christmas day. We will travel to other places to celebrate but on the actual day we stay home. We invite anyone who would like to join us to come over. We had a really good turnout this year.

Mom and Dad were able to come.

As well as Uncle Kirk and Grandma and Grandpa Lawrence.

Uncle Phillip, Aunt Vicki, Brooke, Joey and Calen joined us as well. We had plenty of food. The kids requested Nana bring a banana pudding, fried potatoes and dressing. Aunt Vicki brought a whole smoked turkey and several sides. We had a TON of food. I'm sure we could have easily fed twice as many people.

I'm not sure who is having more fun here - the boys or Uncle Phillip. :) The kids all have a special fondness for Uncle Phillip (and the rest of the family!) and want to invite him to anything they can think of at our house. They love for Uncle Phillip, Aunt Vicki, Brooke, Joey and Calen to come over.

We did some minor rearranging to facilitate photo taking in front of the fireplace and Ben and Griffin determined that the triangle made by the wall, couch and school chest were great for hide and seek. They kept poking their heads through the cracks and saying "You can't find me" and "Where me at?". LOL

Henry kept Granddaddy entertained. :)

Thanksgiving was also Henry's 6 month birthday and Griffin wanted in on the pictures with "Walter Henry bug".

When I finished taking their picture Griffin wanted to take a picture of me with Henry. I think he needs a little practice and maybe two feet added to his stature. LOL

Ben was playing a game with Granddaddy where he would get in a chair and jump on Granddaddy. Granddaddy would tickle him, Ben would act like he didn't like it and then do it again. :)