It's a Dog's Life...

When we got home this evening, we noticed a dog in the yard. We have a girl dog named Gracie, so we kinda wondered what the stray was doing in the yard...
Jacob piped up and said, "Moma, that's a male dog."
I replied, "Really...? How do you know?"
Jacob replies, "Because I just know moma."
After thinking for a minute and trying to figure out how he would know it was a male dog, I said, "Jacob, exactly what does a male dog do?"
Jacob and all his wits replied..."Moma...he helps the mailman deliver the MAIL...he's a MAILDOG!"

Boy was I was VERY relieved!

BIG NEWS!

Rumor has it....
That David might be home before the end of March! We are so excited we can't wait! I will let you know more details when I get them!
Also...David has asked about each of you when I get the chance to talk to him on the phone. (Which isn't very often!) If you would like to drop him a message or maybe a card, I am sure he would greatly appreciate it! Here is his address:

IC3 David C Bays
C51 USS Iwo Jima LHD-7
FPO AE 09574

Grandma's Boys

They ♥ her!

Fun Times at Grandma's House

Jacob Chillin on Grandma's Couch

Logan hanging out watching TV
Jacob with his new telescope.

Jacob...he should eat more oranges...lol!

Cool man Logan enjoying an orange slice!

Christmas All Over Again

We found (by coincidence) a small real Christmas tree that would fit in our truck and thought it was really pretty...so we took it to my mom's house. After church on Sunday, me and moma went to the store and the boys went to work putting it up for her! She was very surprised and excited!

This was a gift from the boys. It is a plate that they made for her.
Jacob and Logan opening more presents at Grandma's house.

A gift from Moma to Fred...a Super Duper Reindeer Pooper!

On the Road Again...

We decided to go see my mom in Texas for Christmas vacation. We waited until Christmas Eve to tell her...so it was a surprise! The boys were very excited and did a great job on the trip. We took lots of movies and games for them to play. Here are just a few pictures from the trip there.

Logan playing with his Magic Board

Jacob and the Transformers

Anytime we travel long distances, the Cracker Barrel is our favorite place to eat. We will travel miles to find one! This is the boys sitting outside.

This is a picture of the sky as the sun was beginning to set in Texas. Notice the whole lot of...nothing! No, your eyes are right. The water tower has one leg shorter than the other. I have always noticed this water tower since I started driving to Texas. It has always leaned to one side.

Merry Christmas

Christmas morning brought lots of gifts...lots of flying paper...and plenty of chaos! I really enjoyed Christmas this year, mainly because the boys are old enough (but still young enough) to enjoy and appreciate their gifts. It was really awesome to see the excitement that came with opening each gift and examining every one. Wouldn't it be great to be able to freeze time!

Christmas Eve Tradition

Growing up, my family always opened one gift on Christmas Eve. I have carried that tradition on for Jacob and Logan...and I don't think it is a tradition they mind! This is them on Christmas Eve night before and after their gifts. They loved their new PJ's and robes! They also put out cookies and milk for santa before they went to bed!

Christmas Get Togethers

Jacob and Grandpa

Logan and Grandpa

Natalie

Elijah
Alexis
Anthony


Tammie and Kaye
Terry, Jo, Dinky, Peg

O Christmas Tree

Jacob and Logan had lots of fun putting our Christmas tree up this year. It seems like most of the ornaments now are handmade by Jacob or Logan. If we keep collecting, in a few years we will need an extra tree! They were also able to share the experience with Grandma. We hooked up the web cam and she was able to watch them as they decorated the tree!

Memphis National Cemetery

On our way back home from Texas, we stopped at the Memphis National Cemetery. If you have never been to a national cemetery, you are missing out on an amazing sight. The rows of thousands of markers seem forever long and the thought that each and everyone there fought for our freedom will give you goosebumps. There are many of these cemeteries all over the country, probably the most popular being the Arlington National Cemetery. If you ever have the opportunity to visit, I promise you will leave with an awesome feeling of pride for our country and our military. Here are just a few pictures that I took while we were there. These pictures, however, could never come close to a first hand experience.

The American Flag flying at the entrance.
A child of a soldier.
A marker with flowers blooming...in January.

There are hundreds of unknown soldiers that have died for our country.

Probably the most historical thing I learned while there.

African-Americans were in a group called the United States Colored Troops.

This person has no known birth or death date.

Silly Randomness

Festival of Trees

This was our first year going to the Festival of Lights. There were lots of pretty decorated trees! The boys had a great time and even got to see Santa while we were there. Even though the boys share a little Christmas fun with Santa, they know that the true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of Jesus!