For My Pop....

My Grandpa is really, really sick right now.
My Mom called me tonight.... They do not know if he will recover or not. He has had Alzheimer's for several years now & I know that if he does pass, that he will be at peace finally. But that doesnt stop the sadness....I really wish I could be in Texas right now.

My Pop meeting Ethan (Christy is holding Ethan)
My Gram & My Pop together....

Please keep my Grandpa & my Grandma in your prayers. I know this must be really hard for her. She loves him more than anything in this world.... if you've seen the Notebook, it's along those lines.

C is for Cousins (and Christmas too!)

A Bass Pro Shop kinda Christmas....
I believe it was like 2 days before we headed to Texas (I forget, my mind is gone.... I think my kids stole it.) & we took the boys to Bass Pro Shop. Pictures with Santa (& plenty of time to talk to him), activities galore for the kiddos, rock wall climbing (Dylan loved it!) & all sorts of cool dead stuffed animals to look at & the 2-story aquarium! And all of it was FREE.... mine & Chad's favorite part! Needless to say we were there for like 3 + hours easily.

They let us all get in this pic, since Ethan
doesn't quite like Santa enough to sit in his lap.

Dylan FINALLY getting his chance to tell Santa what he wanted...
and was even sweet enough to tell him what Ethan wanted.

Our fave.... the BEAR!!!!
ROWR!

Christmas in Texas.....
So the BIG deciding point in coming home for the holidays was Dylan getting to see all his cousins & grandparents he's been missing soooo much. Not that we didnt want to see everyone & all, we just wanted more days to do so. And we're so thankful we did! We had such a great time with both our families & enjoyed meeting our 2 new nieces! Even if it was only a short 4 days..... it was so worth it! I think it flew by so fast I dont even remember half of it! I guess with both mine & Chad's parents in the same town & Ethan's birthday on Christmas Eve.... we will have to get used to the idea of having a busy Christmas holiday every year.

"One Night In Bethlehem"
a fifteen minute service targeted towards kids/family...
That basically allows you to experience for yourself what life was like during this miraculous time! My favorite part is the family blessing at the end. Truly a great experience.

Ethan ready to spend his money in the marketplace.

This year my Mom had a BIG part in it.... and it was really awesome! I hope they continue it for years to come.

We had a little HAPPY BIRTHDAY song & cupcakes with the Carroll clan for Ethan's actual bday!


I believe Uncle Nate instigated this!


and Ethan wanted to get some jumpin' in.... he's been missin' it!

Christmas day.... and we hardly got any pics!

Ethan's new buggy from Santa!

He is throwing a fit because Dylan stopped pushin him... to pose for a picture.

Scooter (my Mom's dog) & the boys... i love this one!

The Cousins!!! These are the ones we're talking about..... Dylan's been missing them all so much!


Lauren with Maira (who was done posing for pictures!) and Dylan with Colbie


Ethan LOVED Toby! But couldnt decide if he was a doggy or a horse!

Chuck E. Cheese Birthday Party for lil' E man!

Ethan just wanted those trains! And to blow out those candles... his favorite part of birthdays!

Dylan having so much fun with Emily & Lauren!

Dylan & Jayce (another dearly missed cousin) with Chuck E.

My Gram, me & Christy!
Ethan's big boy trike!
After he recovered from all the bday fun at CC, he opened all his gifts at my Mom's casa. And he LOVED everything soooo much! Thanks to everyone who gave him awesome stuff! And another thanks to everyone who sent us Christmas cards.... I just checked our mail being held last week. So it was like Christmas part 2! Anywho, Im done now...... if you survived my monster blog I will give you a cookie. :)

The Waiting Game is Almost Over!

So, Chad got word from Abilene that they in fact want him there.... and ASAP too!

YAY! Finally!

We don't know an exact date for sure.... but his manager here in Denver said that Abilene's proposed date is Jan. 18th!!! But they still have to get together, region to region.
So that is not set in stone.

But we're soooooo freakin' excited!

If we cant have Midland..... we'll take Abilene for sure!!!

Hope Melissa & Tim and Christy & Joe know we'll be harassing them like crazy! And they cant get rid of us! Na na na na na! :)

(I will be posting a Christmas MONSTER of a blog soon.... Ive been dwindling the massive pic selection down.)