JohnMark and Johnna Katherine enjoying some food!

Time to Open the Presents!!!!

Roman had a WONDERFUL 1st birthday! We are so blessed with so many cousins, family and friends to share our special times with!

It’s the first day of December and the busyness is already overwhelming! Jared and I both love Christmas time and look forward to making new family traditions each year. One special tradition I remember from my childhood is having an advent calendar.

This Christmas we are really striving to show Nixon, Isla, and even Roman the true meaning of Christmas. In the meantime I feel it is causing me to stop and really think about my motives, and what my thoughts are dwelling on during this crazy time of the year! I came across a simple Christmas Countdown with scripture for each day. I purchased a wooden advent calendar with doors. My plan is to put two pieces of chocolate w/ the daily scripture in each door. Each night the girls can take turns opening the door. While they are munching on the candy, Jared can read the scripture and discuss. I pray this will become a special tradition for the girls not only for traditions sake but that it may be a time during this busy season we all sit quietly, listen and learn about what Jesus did for us.

Day 1

God Made it possible for Mary to become pregnant. Matthew 1:18

We are finally home after traveling the Southeast for Thanksgiving! I must say it has been one of my busiest but favorite Thanksgivings ever! I have so much to write about it is going to take me a few days to catch up! So, I am not sure if it is against blogging rules to have more than one post a day? If so, oh well! We are going nonstop from now until March (literally my calendar is full!) and I don’t want to miss a memory!

Our third Thanksgiving stop was to Leroy, AL to celebrate with Jared’s family. We arrived Wednesday night (driving from Niceville) and enjoyed a wonderful day with the family Thursday!

The center pieces for the kiddie tables were a hit with the younger ones!

Isla poses for a couple of pictures! (A lollipop was the bribe!)

Roman’s Turn!

Nixon posing by the “beach tree“!

Mommy and Isla!!

(any missing seashells are now in the bay thanks to Nixon!)

Walking on the dock!

Jessica and the kids were there to celebrate along with John Ashley, Ella and Sara!

Cousin Kailyn (the family baker and photographer) made the day extra special! She captured all the “professional pictures” of the entire family! They will come later! 🙂

But I did get a few of the kids. Jessica bought a gift for all the kids so they would not feel left out! I guess this was everyone’s first Christmas gift of the season!

Aunt Sharon read Isla and Johnna Katherine their new book!

The Holiday Season has officially begun! For our household that means we have started traveling the southeast to different family gatherings.

Our first trip this season was to Pascagoula, MS for the Nixon family Thanksgiving. It was great seeing all our cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. We even got to meet two of our newest additions, John Robert and Lucy!

We enjoyed some great seafood and I must add Roman LOVED the fried shrimp!

But before we made it to Pascagoula we stopped Friday night at Gue’s house for a camp out with the Cartee cousins!

Nixon Grandchildren and Great- Grandchildren!

Aunt Jessie and Roman ( of course he is eating!)

Granny Nixon Giving the great grandkids crochet lessons!

Cartee Cousins with their Turkey shirts and dresses Gue made!

Cartee grandchildren posing for a pic with their snowman shirts Gue made!

Time for the Sleepover! Walker and Nixon cuddling up!

Isla and Reid

Gue had a special treat for the kids before bedtime! They made Turkeys out of rice krispy treats!