A Very Merry Few Days....

I guess it goes without saying that the past few days have been filled with fun, family and many blessings. The Parkers are settled back into Creeks Edge this afternoon, after being in Winnfield since lunchtime Thursday. We spent most of our time at my parents, with a short trip down to Ball on Christmas day to bring lunch and visit with my sweet grandparents. You will notice that the hospital bed is still in the living room, but my Papa is MUCH better!! Thank you all again for your prayers.

As you can tell Preston has really enjoyed his "big" gift this year--his John Deere tractor. Santa brought it to him, but I still don't think he TOTALLY gets it because he was playing with another toy he got from Santa this afternoon and I asked him who it was from and he said, "NANA!" Oh well, all in good time....

We ate a lot, watched Preston A LOT (sorry Kendal and Kevin!) and most importantly spent time together. Isn't that what the Christmas holiday is all about? Much love to you all and I hope Santa was good to you :)

Christmas Spirit!

I've always LOVED Christmas--let's face it who doesn't! It's such a special time each year but this year I can honestly say has been very different as I have watched Christmas through Preston's eyes. He is the very definition of child-like wonder, seamlessly understanding both Jesus and Santa all at the same time. And although he is excited about the presents, I don't think he really comprehends it yet. Last night, during our celebration with Resa, after he openend this truck he didn't really want to open his other gifts....one gift was enough for him.. SO SWEET! We also made some Christmas cookies yesterday afternoon...not much to look at but they were DELICIOUS! Hope you are enjoying your Christmas break!

Merry Christmas Mommy!

Can you tell these are MUCH better pictures than I usually post? Well, they would be if I could figure out how to crop them, which I have not, and since I am sitting here with wet hair needing to get ready for church it's not looking good for this post....*****

Jeff got me a fancy camera for Christmas--ok, he got a few hints :) It is really neat and I took these last night. Can someone help me with cropping them? I can magnify them on the LCD screen but don't know how to save it on the camera.THANKS!

Now to last night. We had a great time at Grandfather and Gran-Gran's farm in Sikes. We celebrated Christmas with them, the Bauders and Jeff's Aunt JoAnn. Preston got to try his first sparkler, had a GREAT time with Parker and got this neat tool set that he has been playing with all morning. Boy, we are going to need some new organization strategies around here after Christmas-do you see all of those little parts? I am sure I will find them all over the house by the middle of the week...

Anyway, hope you had a good weekend and I'm gonna go dry my hair.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

****I cropped the images on my computer later in the day...and we made it to church on TIME! AND Preston lasted through "big" church for the very first time today...ok, he was sleeping....but he DID it! (And I was exhausted from bouncing him on my knee continuously for an hour :)

Conversation with a two-year old

Today on the way home from school:

Mommy: Preston, what do you want Santa to bring you?

Preston: A car.

Mommy: What kind of car?

Preston: A BIG car! (He has a special way to say BIG that is really quite funny!)

Mommy: Well, do you have a drivers license?

Preston: Yes.

Mommy: Where did you get it?

Preston: SONIC!

Ooops, you think we go through the drive-thru too much?

Happy Tuesday :)

We're Still Here!

Sorry about the picture overload but I needed to make up for lost time :) Preston was sick with the flu the week before last...so we didn't venture out much. He is much better and had a VERY busy day today.

Our morning started with "Breakfast with Santa" at Squire Creek. As you can see, Preston was a little terrified of Santa, but he had a blast eating pancakes and playing with Georgia and all of his friends. A special thanks to Nana for joining us...it was absolutely divine to have both Jeff and she there to help me out!

After that, we headed to Papa Simpsons Farm for Alex and Cullen's 3rd birthday party. I think the pictures speak for themselves. He had a BLAST! I really enjoyed seeing my little man interacting with the animals because he really does have a love for them. I may send out a Kodak album to family because this is just a FEW of the good pics....

Happy Day!

Small Town Christmas

First of all, I want to apologize for the poor quality of some of these pictures. I would REALLY like a new camera for Christmas. Something fast but not to cumbersome....Jeff are you reading this!?!?!?

Secondly, I did attend this event. The one picture of me is blurry from the horrible quality of this camera that the Consumer Reports said was great less than two years ago...did I mention I would like a good camera?

Ok, now to the fun stuff!! I am SO GLAD I decided to bring Preston to Jonesboro's Christmas festivities last Saturday. Jeff was going duck hunting so I called my Mom and she said that she and Pop would love to join in on the fun so that made it all the better.

Jonesboro is the very definition of a small town--but I will have to say their Christmas celebration was top notch, and most importantly, perfect for a two-year old. The parade had firetrucks, ATVs, beauty queens, Disney characters(see P getting a high 5 from Mickey), Santa Claus and OF COURSE very much candy. The pic where Preston is waving he is signaling Santa....

Following the parade was the tunnel of lights and of course a visit with Santa. HOWEVER, I fear that this is another year Preston will have not much to do with Santa...the picture where he is clinging to Nana for dear life is when we simply suggested he go tell Santa what he wants for Christmas...I am keeping my fingers crossed this attitude will change...most of you tell me it will not :)

Lastly, we watched a really fun fireworks show. I wish I had a GOOD CAMERA to capture the joy in his little face just looking at the fireworks. It was a very special night to see Christmas in the eyes of a child. Thanks for joining me Nana and Pop and hope you are all getting into the Christmas Swing!

This and That

Just wanted to take a second to post about our last few days....

We spent Thanksgiving day in Olla at Jeff's Uncle Jimmy's camp. They have a huge place for deer hunting and a really nice house so it was a great spot to meet. I did not get ANY good pictures of Preston, but love this one where he is running from his cousin Parker...Preston had a the time of his life with his cousins/second cousins :)

I am not much for shopping in the middle of the night, nor do I really like to fight crowds, so we spent yesterday decking the halls of Creeks Edge. It was not a day without drama, as the new 7 1/2 ft. tree was so small when I got it out of the box so I sent Jeff to Shreveport to exchange it for the 9 ft model. I should have known what was comning when it cost double the one we had...and boy I knew why when I got it out of the box. IT IS HUGE! I usually put the tree in the dining room, but is is now in the family room because that's the only place it would fit :) After a LONG day the inside AND outside are DONE! Whew...now for the fun stuff!

Jeff did not want to pose for a picture with his Christmas present but since we are agreed it is his Christmas/Valentines/Presidents Day/Groundhog Day(you get the drift)..I wanted to get a picture. He tried to take Preston for a ride yesterday afternoon and Preston would have NOTHING to do with it. We'll see if he changes his mind.

And lastly, we welcomed a new member to our family last night-"Buddy"-who is our Elf on the Shelf. I have already used the treat of Santa once this season, and really think Buddy may actually work. He was waiting on Preston this morning where he eats his breakfast and will hopefully lead to successful mealtimes all day today....

Hope you are having a great holiday!