Turning Ten

We decided a few years ago to have small, family type birthday parties for most of the kids' birthday parties. The exception would be when they turn 1, 5 and 10 (we will probably do 13, 15, 16 or 18 but haven't decided for sure). Turning 1 will still be a smaller affair but we'll decorate, invite a few friends etc. Turning 10 is exciting!

Even with me trying to convince her otherwise, Madisyn insisted that she was indeed 10 and she has been looking forward to a party for at least 3 years! We settled on a cowgirl theme and fixed things up in pink and brown.

Her birthday was on a Sunday this year so on Saturday afternoon we had about 35 people over to eat burgers, be-dazzle horseshoes, make horsey sun visors, play pin the tail on the horse, join in some games of pitching horseshoes and eat three different kinds of cake!

Madisyn even helped make the cupcake toppers. She loved having a project to share.

We had kiddos ranging from 2 months to 29!

The girls had a great time decorating the horseshoes and Madisyn enjoyed doing something "girly".

The boys tended to do the more manly activities of driving the tractors and car.

The big "kids" did let the smaller ones throw a few horseshoes. ;-)

My birthday girl with her cake. I still don't believe she can possibly be TEN!

She had a great time opening gifts and is very thankful for all the gifts she received.

We ended the evening by busting the pinata.

So I could send everyone home on a sugar high!

I'm incredibly thankful that God blessed me with such a wonderful daughter. She is truly my right hand. Her brothers and sister adore her and she is always willing to help. What a blessing Madisyn is!

Would He Give . . .

Kent, along with his brother, Kirk, and dad, recently called bids for the Fair Oaks Fire Department's fundraising auction. We really enjoy going to benefit auctions and it was Mary Claire's first auction! She enjoyed being oooed and awwwed over and the other kids loved their goody bags.

I was so thankful that Nana kept up with Henry. He isn't big enough to "help" and I didn't have enough lap for him and Mary Claire. He's actually getting to the point where he's more jealous if Nana hold Mary Claire than if I do. LOL

I don't know what Unc would have done without Ben's help. ;-) Ben went on and on about how he helped Unc take bids. I'm so thankful for the relationship all our children have with Unc. He's really involved with what is going on with each of them.

Daddy, Papaw and Unc took turns calling and taking bids. Due to the generosity of the community it was a bit of a long night but we had a blast!

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. ;-)

First Trip

When Mary Claire was just a few days old, I needed to go to the chiropractor.

So we made our first trip as a family of 8. Adding an extra car seat definitely makes the van feel a little smaller. I don't think it took more than an hour or two to get ready to go. It's amazing how much packing another diaper bag can slow you down.

While I was getting adjusted Henry got to take over the controls. I'm pretty sure he opened the sun roof multiple times on this rainy Saturday. Thankfully we didn't get too wet. ;-)

Mrs. Lynda met us there and gave Mary Claire another exam. Her jaundice looked a little worse and we took her to the pediatrician the following Monday.

That afternoon Uncle Kirk stopped by and was the first Uncle/Aunt to meet our newest sweetheart.

It's a good thing she tolerates being passed around so well because everyone is always jumping at the chance to hold her. Even Henry likes being a big brother.

Of course, the biggest big brother is more fun to rough house with than a newborn!

Hay-ving a good time

This year was a tough year to plan a hayride but I'm so glad we did. Most of our family and tons of our friends joined us for a good time.

We started the evening off with weenie cookin' and marshmallow roasting. The weather was perfect. Just warm enough you didn't need to bundle up but cool enough for no bugs and a fire was welcome.

The kids were super excited that Uncle Scott and Mrs. Hannah were going to make it. I think getting to be part of Clara Beth's first hayride might have had something to do with that. ;-)

We planned to have potato sack races but the tater sacks didn't make it. Griffin had a mini break down over the idea of no games. Thankfully, Daddy came to the rescue and suggested garbage bags. I don't think this will be a permanent change.

Garbage bags aren't made for the roughness of jumping people even though they are made to hold a falling piano. ;-)

Egg toss is another game we tend to play.

I think Uncle Scott and Uncle Kirk are training for the extreme egg toss games. ;-)

Since I was very pregnant and barely walking, I opted out of the hayride portion of the activities.

I have to say, it's a little more comfortable to stay behind. ;-)

But I do believe I missed out on a great time!

Last year, the picture I shared of Scott and Hannah was a newlywed shot. Now they are 3! What a difference a year makes. {Clara Beth is all bundled up under there.}