Christmas/New Year's in Guntersville

Yes, I admit it I am such a slacker with this blog! I really do have good intentions on keeping this blog up in a timely manner, but life is well..busy!

We went to Guntersville this year to celebrate New Years as well as celebrate Christmas with Clays family. We enjoyed lots of family time with everyone and wonderful food. The kiddos got some really fun toys and stayed very busy playing and enjoying all of the attention.

Parnell Family

My Dad's brother, Uncle Landis, and his wife Aunt Joyce live here in Chelsea. I feel so lucky to have them so close. It would be hard to keep up with each other if they lived further away. Also my cousin Katrina and her husband Wade live close by. Our cousin Brian and his family live in Robertsdale but they were in town too. So we were able to get the entire Parnell crew together on Christmas afternoon (with the exception of Grandma).
We even managed to get pictures! Wish we could do this more often (hint hint) :)
Love Ya'll!!

White Christmas

We got a beautiful White Christmas this year! How wonderful..to wake up with beautiful snow flakes to watch all day. Not much stuck, but it was so fun to watch and enjoy. We actually had to wake Cooper up for Christmas this year. Brent's kiddos were waiting patiently in their tent so they could come up and see what Santa had brought. So Clay woke up the boys so they could all go in together. The kids loved all of their gifts and yes it was Wild with 6 kids getting their Christmas in one small area but so fun! The adults did our stockings. We had a nice breakfast and then opened up our family gifts. Lots of wonderful presents, but most of all I think we just enjoyed being together (at least I did). :)
The kids got to play all day with their presents and later when a little snow stuck the Clay and Brent took them out to play. Avery was ready to do her snow angels and the boys and dogs played hard. Clay of course took Cooper to the top of the hill in the woods and let him ride the snow board down!
We had a wonderful late lunch. I ate way too much and we have just finished with the left overs. Thank you Gammy for all you did..we would have never accomplished all of that with out you!! And there is more..To be continued..

Getting ready for Santa

Christmas Eve was a pretty busy day! The kids were able to get out and play some in the morning with the Daddy's! We went to the Christmas Eve service at church..which didn't work out so much for us. Usually the music is a little more up beat so we thought the kids could handle it. (no child care) But, one by one at church we had to walk them out. Cenley was the first to go :). Aunt Merritt packed snacks and once they were gone the kids were DONE! Cooper thought he was at the movies and asked for some popcorn! We gave it a shot! Before leaving for the church service Santa Claus came by on a fire truck. The kids thought it was pretty cool, but Santa didn't stop so they didn't appreciate that. Gammy cooked us a yummy meal for dinner. She brought crab claws and picked up chicken tenders for the kids and lots of other good stuff!
Merritt brought the ingredients for the kids to make reindeer food and Brent took the out front to feed the reindeer. One of the cutest things I have ever seen. They walked in a circle around the yard spreading it all over! So many memories being made.
The kids went to sleep with much anticipation of Santas arrival!

Christmas!

We were so excited to get the entire family together for Christmas from my side! We haven't seen Brent and Merritt and family for a year! This was also the first time I met Graham and he met Cenley. So we had 5 adults, 6 kids and 3 dogs all in our house! It was a wild and fun time..I think everyone really enjoyed it. Clay put a tent up in the basement for Avery and Griffin. Might as well make it lots of fun if you are sleeping in sleeping bags. They seemed to really enjoy it and they had flashlights with them as well. It was really cold while they were here so we werent able to get out much. So I will post pictures to show the fun they had. I will have to write more than one Christmas post so I can fit everything in!!

Cohen's 1st Haircut

I have had a hard time bringing myself to take Cohen to have his 1st haircut!! I love
his precious hair and it just means he is a big boy. But, there has been no taming the mess so I had to break down and do it! Clay had trimmed it a little but never a full out hair cut!
I of course waited until Mom was in town so I could have HELP! There was quite a little wait with Mom and all 3 kids but we accomplished it. Cohen found him a friend while waiting. My kids meet no strangers (which is kind of scary). This rather large man kept talking to Cohen and Cohen was just checking him out. All of a sudden he decided to go over to the man and climb up on his lap. :) Yes I allowed it, Shocker! It was adorable.
Here are a few action shots! Cohen was great..although he was very interested in touching the comb and scissors.

Cooper's School Christmas Party

I helped with Cooper's Christmas Party at School and had to bring ALL 3 kids with me!!
It actually went pretty well the kids were pretty good. They had a pizza party, games, and a Birthday cake for Jesus! And..lots of goodies to bring home.
Cooper is so excited to show me his class when I come and is always on his best behavior. I just wish it would always be that way!! :) I am so proud of his manners and sharing and I know being in preschool is really helping him with these things.