Aunt G and Uncle Drew

Anna Grace and Drew made a trip here last weekend so Drew could join us on our youth group ski trip and G could watch Gaines so I could go too. We were honored that the newly weds made the trip over, and Gaines was thrilled to have his aunt and uncle to chase him around!

Ski Trip

Well, we finally took advantage of the slopes just 45 minutes from here. We had16 kids from the youth group join us for a day of skiing and snowboarding at Cataloochie. Some of us knew what we were doing...some of us didn't! Drew (our new Brother in law) was kind enough to spend some time refreshing my memory about the whole snow plow technique...and then finally got me to cut back and forth across the mountain. It's been 10 years or so since my last experience, but this was definitely my best ski trip ever! I think everybody had a blast, and thank the Lord, no one got hurt- except the kid who went flying over the orange tape and dropped about 60 ft! I think he is doing okay though ( he was not part of our crew). Will is currently on the lookout for a good deal on a snowboard so he can make these trips more frequently!

Colby, Jared, Sarah, Ethan

The experts!

The snowboarders

The love birds:)

The New Obsession

It seems like every couple weeks Gaines finds something new that he's just really into. Sometimes it's something he wears, sometimes it's something to do. For example...his crocks, his yellow boots, throwing sticks in the creek, shooting baskets, etc...Well, right now, his favorite thing to do is SLIDE!

Boone

Up until now I haven't been able to get any good pictures of Boone staying still, so I've posted some I took yesterday. He really is a sweet pup. Will has been trying to work with him a few minutes a day on obeying- we still have quite a ways to go, but he is making progress.

Little Gym Graduation!

Well, Gaines made it through his first semester of little gym. His biggest accomplishment is doing a forward roll all by himself! He is a machine! This last week he had to perform a few skills for the class to receive his medal...we were so proud...hah!This is Miss Sue singing the name song with the kids

The look of concentration...

Gaines hasn't quite mastered the bars yet, but you just can't be good at everything:)

We weren't sure if Gaines was going to go along with this one, but he rolled right on over that "hot dog"

His moment of glory!

Random Recent Pics

This is Carol Whitiker's ( a camp neighbor) John Deere Tractor

One of the belgians at camp

Another John Deere

Gaines chasing Boone around the island

We are trying to break Gaines' habit of pulling Boone's tail!

Gotta have some rubber boots!

This is Gaines newest toy...friends from church passed it on to him recently

I've been taking Gaines and Charlie to a nearby park lately, here they are with their walking sticks about throw them in the creek

The boys love riding this little car outside the grocery store. In this picture Charlie is yelling "go Gaines, go!"

The Tucker-Townsend Wedding

Well, it's over...and it went just perfectly! Anna Grace did an exceptional job planning this wedding- there isn't anything she could possible be unhappy with- it was beautiful! The children did very well too- Gaines held Tucker's hand while walking down the isle...he was just looking around at all the people, kind of puzzled about what was going on. When he saw Will, he did say, "Hold You"...but Ali cut him off but swooping him up and stuffing a fruit snack in his mouth:) Karley was concentrating so hard on throwing flowers that she nearly walked right into Will, but he turned her to sit down on the pew...it was all very cute. Will was honored to get to welcome all the guests, say a prayer and then ask William who was giving the bride away. William did the ceremony, and I was so thankful I was able to read it before the actual event, or else I would have been balling! It was a very special day...and Anna Grace could not have been more beautiful...and I guess Drew looked alright too:) Tucker and Gaines practicing

The Bride and Groom at the rehearsal dinner

Belle, Anna Grace and Will

The proud parents

I wish I had more pictures of G in her dress...it was gorgeous! The veil was first worn by her Aunt Margret Ann and then worn by her Aunt Maggie and then by her mom.

Me and my little amish boy:)

Gaines and his daddy

The Tucker, Cromwell, Townsend Clan

Christmas

Christmas was interesting this year...fun, but full of coughs and itching (see poison ivy blog below). The Tuckers are done with all of their remodeling (their house looks amazing), so we were able to stay with them. However, Santa decided to drop Gaines' gift off at the Cromwell's (Will's sister's house), so we had Christmas morning there. Gaines loves his toolbench- although I' m starting to tire of the constant drilling that now goes on most the day at our house:) Harriet Belle made a killer breakfast- and then we spent the day watching Babes in Toyland and working puzzles. That evening Will, G, Drew and I went "spotlighting" and saw some monster bucks. We're such rebels. Anyway, we really enjoyed family time, and get to go back this weekend for G and Drew's Wedding! All the cousins in their Christmas PJs

Molly on her zebra

Gaines and his new tool bench

The boys checking out their stockings

Karley was a bit tired from all the excitement

Those were some awesome Christmas cookies!

POISON IVY!!!

Do you recognize this person? For some reason this disfigured person's picture showed up on my camera around Christmas time. Oh wait...it's me...Will think's I'm brave to put this picture on the internet, but I think it is too funny to be kept to myself! The funny thing is, this is when it really wasn't too bad...it got much, much worse! Thank the Lord, I have healed from the poison ivy trauma- it couldn't have come fast enough. It was quite a humbling experience.