Christmas at Granny the Great's

THE YOWELL FAMILY!

We had Christmas with Granny the Great (Lora's Granny) on December 20th. Everyone was able to be there for about at 3 hour window. We were able to get some really good pictures that we have not been able to do for about 5 years now. Everyone had a really good time. Emily and her cousin Wes played and played. There favorite game was sneak! Kaitlynn was one of three new great grandkids (the other two are Makenzie and Kyle) that were all born within 4 months of each other. Each of Granny's kids had a grandchild this year. That was pretty neat! Granny the Great (who turned 80 years old this year) had a really good day! She made her famous peacan pies, fudge, and banana nut cake, along with the turkey and dressing. The rest of us brought the other fixings. Granny the Great gave me (Lora), as she did all of the grandaughters and grandaughters-in-laws, some china she had painted back in 1979. I will treasure it always. She was a really good painter and we are trying to get her to paint some more. All in all the day was a great success!

Polar Express

THE POLAR EXPRESS!!! Mommie took us on the Polar Express on December, 18th. Emily was so excited about riding a train. She clapped and said train all the way to the depot. Then when she actually saw the size of the train she was a little scared, but when we boarded the train she was just fine. We were on the top deck, which was really neat! They served hot chocolate and cookies on the over to the North Pole and read the story of The Polar Express. Then on the way back Santa talked to each kid individually and we sang Christmas songs. We all had such fun. The train rocked back and forth the whole ride, so I am glad Shelby did not attend since he is very sensitive to motion sickness. Santa also gave each kid a bell and the Conductor punched each kids ticket, just like the movie but he did not do the fancy words like the movie. I can hardly wait to go next year. Kaitlynn also liked it so much she fell asleep. Actually, I think the rocking motion made her fall asleep. Santa wanted to make sure and get a picture with Kaitlynn also. I know next year both of the girls will really enjoy it. One of the best parts was that we all dressed in our P.J.'s!! This was by far one of our favorite activities this Christmas season!!!

Santa Land!

Oh what great memories we made tonight!! For the first time ever we arrived at Santa Land before it opened, so we got to see Santa and Mrs. Claus ride in on their slay. We were also at the front of the line, so were did not have to wait but about 30 minutes. We have waited over 2 hours before in freezing cold weather. It was a great night. Emily went right up to Santa and told him her name was Emily and that she wanted a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for Christmas. Kaitlynn did very well also, not crying once. We were able to get some really good pictures and you will probably see them again in a Christmas Card. After we saw Santa we went and looked at all of the different things they had at Santa Land. And then, as is a tradition, we went and looked at Christmas lights on houses while listening to Christmas music. We did sing a few songs ourselves, well okay I was really the only one singing except when I sang Deck the Halls, Emily did the Fa, La, La, La, La part. It is so cute! If you look really close at Emily's hands you can see that we painted her nails today. She loves having her nails, toes and fingers, painted. Kaitlynn also had her toe nails painted today!! Thanks to Mommie for coming with us and taking pictures at Santa Land. Sorry we did not get a pictures with her, that was my fault. Well, we have her voice on the video we took. Santa Land is one of my favorite things to do during the holiday season. Shelby and I became engaged 9 years ago at Santa Land, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. I hope that it will stay open for many, many years. This was the 52nd year for it to be open, WOW!

Santa and Mrs. Claus

Today we went to the Wilson Bank and saw Santa and Mrs. Claus. Both of the girls did great and Emily told Santa she wanted a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. This Santa's beard was real! They also had punch and goodies to eat at the bank.

Mommie's Angels!

Here are Mommie's Angels, Emily and Kaitlynn. These pictures were taken when we finished decorating the tree at Mommie's house. The girls absolutely love Mommie. She is such a wonderful part of their lives. We thank God for her in our lives!!

Decorating the Tree!!

Here is the basketball ornament Emily just had to have when we were at Ruidoso. She kept saying "Ball, Ball". So I had to buy it for her. Shelby did not quite understand why we already had to have a sports ornament, but Jay Mac and David thought it was great!!

Well here we all are hanging ornaments on Mama's tree. We had such a good time, as always. We all have to hang all of our childhood ornamnets, as you see Jay Mac here hanging his favorite deer that our dog Cuddles chewed the face off of one Christmas. David and I try to hide it from Jay Mac every year, but eventually he finds it and them places it right in the front and at the top of the tree. I think we get more of a kick out of it now that we are ages 30, 26, & 24 then we did many years ago. Renee' actually has one of her own ornaments on the tree this year. It is a purse of course. David also let Renee' hang up some of his ornaments. Shelby did not want to hang up ornaments, so he took pictures and took video. Mama and Kaitlynn hung up Daddy's ornament, that was very special. Emily loved hanging up ornaments, most of them on the bottom rows, but sometimes she would say "High" and we would hold her up to hang one up high. What wonderful memories we made this day!!!

COUSINS!

This past weekend we went to see Shawn, Sherrie, Ellen, Danny, Hannah, and Parker in Jacksonville. We had a great time! Emily found Parker's glasses one night at supper time and so I had to take a picture. She is so cute! That is Hannah in the background. Danny just loved holding Kaitlynn all weekend! All the kids got along really well. And they all watched a movie Sunday evening in Hannah's room. Emily really loved Ellen's cats and Jay even tried to hitch a ride home with us. It was a great weekend and we can't wait to see them again at Christmas!

12 Weeks Old!

Here is Kaitlynn at 12 weeks. This is the little cow suit that David and Renee' gave her. I thought it was so cute with the little ears on the hood. She is smiling so much these days and is even laughing out loud.

HARVEST TIME!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Here we are standing in our Milo field. This is the first milo crop we have raised. We usually grow cotton, but this year our cotton was hailed out so we planted milo. Shelby really enjoys growing this crop, since this is what he was raised growing. We thought this would make the perfect Thanksgiving picture! As you can see Emily really loved playing in the field. She really likes the outdoors.