Saturday Morning Sugar Rush

On Saturday mornings, one of our favorite things to do is load up in the car and head to Gibson's Donuts. We believe they have the best donuts in town, and it is without a doubt an entertaining venture. It's a family owned business, and one of those places where you see the same people every Saturday. The owner is a big Memphis fan, and appears to have a soft spot for Mississippi State as well. Or it could be that he just really detests Ole Miss. I'm comfortable with either scenario. If he knows you or recognizes you, he'll toss a hot donut at you when you walk in. And if you're wearing any Ole Miss apparel, it will be chocolate glazed. Michael was washing chocolate off his hands all day! The kids love this place because of the decor (and the donuts, of course). There are flying cows and pigs hanging from the ceiling, and a vibrant green monkey that screams and dances if you squeeze his hand. All five of us are completely satisfied (Mary Wren possibly too satisfied) for under $7. You can't beat that! I took pictures on Saturday:

Just getting started . . .


Getting into a rhythm . . .


Full blown sugar rush!!!


Feelin' the love


Flying cows, pigs, and monkeys

And I couldn't resist this picture. It's such a microcosm of Lydia and Mary Wren's personalities. Those of you who know them well don't need to look at the name pictures above their beds to know who sleeps where!

A New Year

So, after returning to Memphis on 12/28 following the Christmas festivities, we got back in the car on 12/31 and headed back down to Jackson again. This time Michael was meeting up with his dad, my dad, and several other guys to go Dallas for the Cotton Bowl. I opted to spend time with Mom in Jackson versus flying solo in Memphis. We had a wonderful couple of days, and Friday I met up with some friends on Friday for a play date at a park. Kim, Allison and I have known each other since Jr. High School. Between the 3 of us, we have 8 kids and potential for fabulous play dates! I hate that we don't see each other more . . .

Ella and Lydia

Kids on the slide

Nicholas LOVED Allison!
Never could catch Kim's youngest on film, but my kids had such a great time playing with the others.

Christmas Continued

Three posts within 24 hours! This will never happen again. Maybe I should go for four . . . Regardless, here's the rest of our Christmas festivities update: We left Tupelo Christmas Eve and made it back to Memphis in time for church services that night. Home by 2:00 a.m. and up with the chickens around 7:00 a.m. Here are some Christmas morning pictures:


Nicholas loved the gift from his Godparents


Mary Wren with a jump rope and microphone. Need I say more?


Art supplies to last the whole year . . .


The kids with Daddy


The kids with Mommy

It was a great morning, and we were back on the road (along with considerable amounts of caffeine) by about 10:00 a.m. We arrived in Jackson by 1:00 ready to eat again. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of Jackson pics. I was switching to a new camera (thanks, Mom and Dad!) and lost some in the process. Here's what I got:

Re-hydrating after hard day of play with the cousins


One of said cousins (no pics of sweet AJ . . . and I had a few good ones!)


Ready for some hoops (love the tongue)



In awe of his first football!


Massive amounts of chocolate were consumed


Karaoke with Uncle John

It was so great to see everyone together in Jackson . . . that hardly ever happens anymore! We had a great couple of days until the stomach virus hit towards the end of the trip. Not so much fun on the ride home!

2008 Nativity Play

I neglected to mention that both girls were in this year's Nativity Play the Sunday before Christmas. They had a blast, and the play was so cute. We are very blessed to have very wonderful, very patient Church School teachers, and the girls are learning so much this year. At our "family meeting" a few weeks ago, Michael asked the girls if they knew which feast was coming up. Mary Wren raises her hand (very excitedly) and says, "I know! I know! That's Ophany! (a.k.a - Theophany) That's where John of the Baptist baptized Jesus at Jordan and God said, 'That's my Son and I'm so proud of Him!' There was a dove, too." Again . . . very thankful for our Church School teachers! I didn't get many pictures at the play (thank you, Nicholas), but here are a few:

Lydia with her Miss Peggy


The angels

Christmas Re-cap

Once again, I am way behind in the blog updates. Michael and I were discussing why I never seem to get to the "fun" things. You know . . . the things I enjoy: sewing, reading, organizing pictures/blogging (yes - I actually enjoy archiving), cooking (things other than dinner) . . . even just doing "nothing" with the kids before they go to bed. I think it's a guilt thing. There are so many not-so-fun things that I feel I have to do: laundry (NEVER ends), cleaning (again with the never ending), cooking (dinner), paperwork and planning for work, errands, grocery, bills . . . you get the idea. And, I'm not talking about what I accomplish during the day. That's pretty much devoted to the kids. They can't raise themselves. I'm talking about what I do in my "free" time. Ironically, I don't ever seem to make much of a dent in the not-so-fun things either. So, what do I do? I put off doing the not-fun things (because they're not fun), but won't let myself start on the fun things because I haven't done the not-so-fun things! Vicious circle. Before I know it, it's 11:00 p.m. and I'm ready for bed. Wow! Random ramble. On to the update!

We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas, and were so lucky to be able to see all of our family. Lydia and I missed Granny's Christmas party in Tupelo on Dec. 15th because Lydia was running a fever. First time in 11 years that I'd missed it! But we were back in Tupelo on Christmas Eve and saw the rest of Michael's family then.

The girls in their new aprons


Nicholas & Poppa


This may be my favorite picture!


Mary Wren enjoying the day


Nicholas & Papaw

The boys


I'll have to complete the Christmas update tomorrow at some point because it's getting late. Nicholas hasn't mastered sleeping in yet!