Christmas 2013/Riding Horses With Grandpa

Dad was such a trooper, or I guess you could say, a really great grandpa!  He knew that Laurel really wanted to ride his horses.  He doesn't typically saddle them up under these snowy conditions, but he did this day, just for Laurel and anyone else who wanted to join them.  As soon as Kayla and Karly heard that I was taking my girls out to Grandma and Grandpa's house to ride horses, they wanted to come too.  I love how all four girls went to change clothes and came out in matching western wear!  Aunt Audra braided their hair and off we went.  Laurel loves horses and has talked for a very long time about how she wanted to ride horses with grandpa.  She was one happy girl!

 This was not a "posed" picture.  I thought this was the sweetest picture.  I knew that was Laurel's way of telling her Grandpa, "thank you for doing this for me!"
Daddy had to get the horses brushed before he saddled them up.  They had black dirt all over them and he saw my camera and said, "I know you're going to be putting these pictures up and I can't have my horses looking bad now!"  So, if you see some dark places on the horses, just know that they are beautiful horses, they were just having a bad, um.... hair day! :)

 I took advantage of this beautiful back drop.  I acted like I was some sort of professional photographer.  These girls were so sick of me and my camera! :)

 Grandpa let Kayla ride first.  Laurel was still a little nervous.

 And she's off!

 Savannah couldn't get off fast enough!  She doesn't love them quite like Laurel does!

 Dad then took Laurel into the arena and he led her around on the horse some more.

 It was so cold!  The rest of us went inside while Laurel and grandpa put the horses away.  Grandma had made hot chocolate and grill cheesed sandwiches.
Thanks for the ride, Grandpa!

Christmas 2013/Sledding

Audra and Linn had this really great hill in their neighborhood where you could go sledding.  So we went and bought more sleds and headed for the hill.  Our children have done some "Alabama sledding" before, but they have never experienced sledding quite like this.  There are a lot of pictures, but I couldn't choose.  All of their faces are priceless and you can just see thrill, excitement, fear, and joy in each of them!

Christmas Dinner 2013

All of my siblings came out to mom and dad's house Christmas evening.  Mom out did herself, once again, feeding this crew of hers, with a huge Christmas dinner.  We ate, laughed, had a book exchange with the cousins, threw some football around and watched all the sweet children perform in the loft.  It was a great time being with family and getting to know my nieces and nephews even better.

 Well, I went through about 10 pictures and Austin and Myllie stayed consistent through out with silly faces.  Those two do have a sense of humor!

Grandma and Grandpa gave the boys this football for Christmas.  And it provided much entertainment.

Ethan and Tyson
(Scott and Wayne's little boys)
So cute seeing little mini Scott and Wayne!

This little guy, and big guy are tuckered out!  It has been a very long, Christmas Day!!

Mom and Dad always do such a good job of hosting everyone.  Mom amazes me how she is able to cook so effortlessly and dad is such a big help by setting up tables and extra chairs and organizing everything.  This is how it was growing up.  I always remember our house being packed at the holidays with relatives and cousins.  Our door was always open and there was always plenty of food on the table.