Merry Christmas!

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We have celebrated all month.

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Excited to be a part of all of the activities.

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Posing for photos

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Isabela was excited about having her picture taken today.

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Abigail holding baby doll “Abby”

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Photographer Isabela

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‘Twas the night before Christmas and we were super excited to open a gift from cousins Saxton and Synclair.

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What could be better than play dough?

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Especially if you get to pretend you are making ice cream cones with sprinkles!

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Sleepy eyed…good morning my three sunshines!

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“Exactly what I asked for!”

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He loves his work trucks.

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Daisy kitty. Funny story…due to the purring and meowing sounds, my daddy thought there was a real cat in the house after they purchased it.

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Good morning cousins.

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Papaw’s favorite girls!

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Nana’s wild boys!

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We love our Nana!

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Sweet baby girl.

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Me with my great “little” brother.

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Merry Christmas boys!

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We had a very special family Christmas morning.

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Playing with our fun Clip Clop Stables

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This toy has princesses riding on horses. We added Mike the Knight on a horse for Sir Jackson!

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We received many puzzles. We LOVE working puzzles!

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Jackson lost his fifth tooth on Christmas night!

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He lost his sixth tooth a few days later!

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Animal puppets provide tons of fun.

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Isabela especially likes to “talk them” as she says.

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Our Calico Critters added a new vehicle and RV set.

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We like to park the RV outside the Calico house for camping. I love to see their excitement when playing!

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Although not pictured, Jackson enjoys this toy as much as the girls!

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He LOVES his logging vehicles!

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Baby dolls for the girls is always sweet.

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We have enjoyed almost every second of this season!

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Our gift to Mamaw Judy

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Our gift to Nana and Papaw

December Fun

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Sweet smiles from two very special daughters, two happy sisters.

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Ready for the cold!

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The importance of this photo to me was the process of what I caught her doing. She was taking our Christmas books and lining them up in the floor. She sat and did this for several minutes being so precise with the edges of the books when I asked her if I could take a picture.

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Christmas party at Carmen’s barn.

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Our good friend Debbie

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Jackson Sawyer Hall with his good friend Gracie (hard to see)

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Pretending to be at the beach

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Warm enough afternoon for getting in wood and for taking a ride in the wagon.

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Searching for the sight of snow…we landed in Gatlinburg!

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The slopes of Ober were white and full of people.

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On our way back home, on a whim, we decided to check out the lights of Dollywood!

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They were amazing.

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It was FREEZING!

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We bundled up and braved the cold.

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Although sleepy from the missed nap, we managed to keep a little warm.

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Warm enough to enjoy our favorite rides under the dark winter sky!

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Fun evening before Christmas.

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Nana and Papaw’s Christmas card

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Hand me down pj’s! Blue snowmen of Jackson’s, pink ones of Abigail’s.

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Family holiday moments with cousins Jayden, Elijah, Jenna, and Jackie

Our Santa Meeting

Papaw invited us to Bush’s for the annual Children’s Christmas party. We were so excited to see Santa!

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Another opportunity for us to be with our two favorite “friends” Jayden and Elijah

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They were very excited that their daddy was able to join us.

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The gingerbread cookies were the best.

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Jayden and Elijah agreed.

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Yummy cookies and punch

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Papaw was able to take a break from work to visit with us.

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Two of my favorite people…

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Finally, we sat with Santa! This was the first year that a Hall child did not cry!

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We were super proud of Jackson for not only writing his entire letter on his own, but he also read it to Santa while he was on his lap for the second year. (My photo cut off a couple of the letters.)

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Abigail’s Santa letter…she said Santa could just read it later!
(She told me what to write and then she copied it just as we do in our morning writing lesson.)

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Isabela told Santa hello and that she wanted a baby doll. She took him a picture of her circles and Christmas stickers on.

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Nana with her favorite things!

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Santa’s nice list…most of the time!

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My girl with her new crafty bell necklace.

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The crafts were so fun!

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I’ve been taking this sweet man of mine since he was a little over six months. Glad to see him actually enjoying himself around Santa and strangers.

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A great Pre-Christmas afternoon for a party. We are feeling festive and blessed!

Writing/Work Samples

I’ve enjoyed tracking their ever changing writing styles. Sometimes I have been so excited to capture their growth in sharpening proper letter formation. Other times I have had to witness their lazy and rushed attitude for just completing the assignment. Either way, I am happy that technology allows me to capture these moments.

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After completing our lesson on letter writing, Jackson had to address and send a thank you letter in the mail.

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Our topic was to write about “Girls”

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Topic, “write about a time when someone helped you”

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By Jackson, simple yet priceless with the conversation between “Jackson and Elijah”

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This was what Jackson made for Debbie’s birthday.
He used the lesson of Dogs in our “Draw Write Now” Art activities.

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Morning writing assignments for Abigail was to make thank you notes for her birthday gifts.

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We also sent letters to Aunt Brooke, Uncle Mikey, Jaydie and Elijah, and Nana and Papaw.
Hopefully hand written thank you’s will be a skill they use forever!

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Abigail’s angel

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By Abigail, this is her with Jackson and Isabela pretending to be angels

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Abigail’s three treasures…her puppy, her bunny, and her blankie

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For the past month Jackson has started reading “The Magic Tree House” books by Mary Pope Osborne. He has completed books 1-4. These four books are about the mystery of the tree house where the characters travel to the time of dinosaurs, medieval times with a knight, ancient Egypt with a mummy, and with pirates searching for a buried treasure.

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At the end of each book he takes a written test.
We look forward to reading all 28 books in “The Magic Tree House” series.

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A sample of Social Studies assessment chapter 4

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A recent Spelling test of Jackson’s

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Abigail is very proud of herself…me too!

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Isabela “plays” school with her circles, letter I and X, and a triangle.

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School time is a blessed time! The moments are full of sweat, tears, frustrations, and zapped energies…however we are a little more educated, a little more prepared, and a whole lot stronger for it. I love being the teacher of my three!

Happy Birthday Abigail

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Happy Fifth Birthday to my sweet, sweet baby girl

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We woke up to a blanket of snow to celebrate this day.

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Her daddy made her a snowball before he left for work.

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Brother too thought a snowball made a great gift.

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You are growing into such a joy for us.

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We were not able to go to Build A Bear to celebrate, we played outside in the freezing fun.

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She wanted a real puppy but celebrated with a stuffed one and a matching cake.

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She has learned how to spell “PUP”

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All fingers have to go in the icing!

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Nana and Papaw’s treasures.

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She picked out this gift when were visiting Amy and Stephanie last month. Thanks for the surprise

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The necessity of a new coat from Nana

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A puppy bath set

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A watch for learning to tell time

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A new pony

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My three birds

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Make a wish!

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Abigail with Great Aunt Fran Fran

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Abigail with Uncle Mikey sporting his manly “No Shave November”

SONY DSC

With Cousin Elijah, they were born in 2008, eight days apart.

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Stephanie and Amy gave everyone a lesson on the meaning of Advent

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They were excited to learn the meaning but thrilled that each day they get to indulge in a piece of chocolate.

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Celebrating you all year long

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My number 5 princess that has the sweetest spirit and genuine love for her family

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My Thanksgiving born blessing. You are amazing, loyal, loving, and the most unique girl I know! Happy Birthday to you.

Looking Back at Autumn Fun

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Our dear friend, Al. Al works at Hearthstone and has been a special person to me/us for years. My classroom children in years past made him cards through the years. My three children now really enjoy visiting and playing with him. Notice the Steelers hat, he has turned Jackson into a Pittsburg Steelers fan!
(This photo was also added to Family Moments, Part 2 Memories, published 7/5/12)

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My handsome little man.

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It was a beautiful afternoon for a fall wedding.

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They enjoyed playing on the hay bales which were used for the seating during the ceremony.

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Happy to celebrate Randy and Allison’s special day.

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Isabela is ready for Sunday, Sunday Football! Go Denver Broncos!

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So happy he still fits in this little black truck.

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We finally visited Amy and Stephanie! We had so much fun sightseeing, eating, and playing at multiple playgrounds!

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We visited Jackson’s General Store

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We walked down Jackson Street

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We even played at a Jackson County Playground!

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We had a fun day playing!

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We celebrated at Starbucks after our flu shots…there weren’t any tears shed!

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Playing on the slides in the fall

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We love sliding on a new one!

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This is the last rose of the season from Nana’s “Sister Margaret” rose bush.

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We enjoyed our favorite picnic spot even though it was much cooler.

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We loved passing football under the fall trees.

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Thanks smiley!

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No swimming on this trip

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Only rock climbing. (Notice the fingers)

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Their number one FAVORITE thing to do…spend the afternoon with their daddy!

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A quick lunch at the playground.

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Hard to imagine it but the next day the weather was freezing!

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Happy that we were able to enjoy the beautiful blue sky!

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Thanks to my little birds for enjoying autumn with me!

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For the good start of a new school year, papaw and nana treated everyone to a special treat! The boys chose Bruder’s!

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Isabela has learned to make a circle and an I, she chose a baby to feed.

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Abigail chose babies in bunk beds.

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Our star third grade student Jayden that is an example to all, chose Saige, American Girl Doll.

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A bit blurry of a photo, Nana and I celebrating my/our good news!

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Happy Ninth Birthday Sweet Jayden! Nana with HER favorite girls!

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In memory of Nana’s dear dog Gracie! Thanks for the memories with all three of my children for their entire life span. Most importantly thanks for being my mother’s loyal companion daily on her walks, trips to the garden, and a constant protector in everything she did!

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“Dog Biscuits in Heaven” by Jackson
He drew a picture of God making treats for the dogs in heaven. The biscuits are shaped like hot dogs and kitties and Gracie loves eating them with the other dogs.

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Morning writing by Jackson

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“Going to Heaven”. By Abigail
I LOVED her picture. She had me to write Jackson, Abigail, and Isabela’s name by each window they were watching out of. Nana was walking to our house and they were watching God and Jesus meet Gracie and take her to heaven!
Their innocence and conversation were priceless.
Their true sadness was heartbreaking!

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Our new painted paperweights. Thank you Aunt Teresa for our awesome rocks! Painting was fun even though all colors were mixed!

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Even though the calendar says that we are still in the season of fall, the weather acted like winter on the 27th! Most importantly, my “Thanksgiving Baby” woke up to a “White Birthday”. She/they were thrilled to get out in the snow.

Halloween Pretend

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The start to an awesome evening as a family!

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We started off our fun at Hearthstone to visit our friends, and then on to the library for our reading as well as fun and games.

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They were super excited that their daddy came along for the party.

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The evening was questionable with they heavy dark clouds, but we were hopeful…

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Little Bo Peep with her protector…a knight.

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Abigail was such a sweet Little Bo Peep

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She found her sheep!

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Our sweet little sheep

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We had to stop by our favorite tree to play in the leaves.

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Leaves are a fun addition to Halloween.

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“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” Albert Camus

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A happy heart makes the face cheerful. Proverbs 15:13

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Off to collect our treats.

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Stopping for popcorn

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Thank goodness the rain that was forecasted held off so we could visit the church for trunk or treat.

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Blessed to retain this memory!

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Papaw and Nana’s Halloween party

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A super cool cat, a protective knight, a snugly sheep, a sweet Bo Peep, and a brave firefighter!

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I had to include this photo even though the handsome firefighter’s face was hidden. Our sheep’s face tells it all about her attitude at being photographed…without consent…just shut your eyes!

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Not a picture enthusiast if our nap was omitted from the day!

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Love my boys and they sure love playing trucks with one another.

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Two of Nana’s favorite girls on the earth!

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Papaw’s pot of gold! Happy 2013 Halloween!

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Family Together

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Reflection in the water…great memories together!
Thank you dear husband for creating this opportunity!

This wagon has been a highlight of our family since Jackson’s first Christmas. We brought it with us rather than the double stroller. It was super sweet because Jackson pulled the girls some and some we pulled all three! Sadly we realized this would probably be the last year they all three fit side be side.

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Soar like the birds above!
“Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will.”
A.W. Tozer

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A relaxing evening.

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Jumping to the music by the waves

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A beautiful sunrise wedding. Absolutely an amazing memory to witness from our balcony.

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These were two of the signs on the beach for the 7:15 a.m. wedding.

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If you look closely you can see white kites dancing in the sky. This photo was taken about an hour before sunset. The bride and groom that were married at sunrise earlier in the day were joined by all of their guest to fly white kites in the beautiful blue sky. They flew the kites until sunset. A sunrise to sunset wedding day! A very romantic fairy tale!

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Front row seat for viewing all the sites.

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Awesome tour guide big brother.

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Photographer Jackson

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Where are all the balls? Isabela was trying to throw them over the fence!

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Good eye contact

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Having fun…

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My three little birds

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Tennis time again. (We have a really funny video I’ll have to post!)

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This girl enjoyed hitting the ball!

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Water time again

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Sweethearts

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Tiny toes growing before my eyes

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Not so clear photo but we had fun playing “Mother May I”

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Saying “cheese” while eating Cheetos.

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Always keeping his mommy on her toes!

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This is how they sat to finish their snack. Would love to know their exact thoughts as they were looking out at the ocean.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

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Playing and exploring

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“You have a very special place in my heart.” Philippians 1:7

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Completely blessed, over and over!
“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”
Marcel Proust

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Sand and Surf

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We are finally at the coast and we couldn’t be happier!
“God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you.”
1 Peter 4:10

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We are jumping for joy!

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“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.”
Proverbs 15:30

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This place has always been our favorite destination.

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Football time in the waves.

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The sand was amazing.

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Happy to share this experience with her

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Isabela was hesitant at first about the ocean.

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She quickly changed her mind with the play of her daddy.

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Jackson and Abigail couldn’t get enough of the cold waves.

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This girl of mine is a treasure!

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I love holding these tiny hands while exploring.

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Nature’s best sandbox

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Princess dolls in the sand is for sure a treat.

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Love to watch these girls play

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In an instant one little sister frustrates one bigger sister

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Quickly, “I forgive you, let’s play puppies!”

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Creativity tops the list for a fun day.

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Playing silly inside a bucket.

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Yeah!

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Terrain of all kind can be created in sand. In our Social Studies we learned the difference of the type of landforms. He made roads, hills, valleys, rivers, and even a mountain in the easy to form texture of the sand.

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Most importantly we have to have our sleep.

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Dune play pretending to be in the mountains

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The sky was amazing.

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What a day!

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I stopped counting how many times they went to the water’s edge to fill up their buckets only to spill most of it on the walk back.

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We loved playing in the pools of water left behind as the tide went out.

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She’s up and says, “Look at me, I swimmin”

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They loved this,

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and this,

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and this. Abigail really enjoyed the lazy river. She was excited that she could finally stand on her own and it not be over her head.

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For the first time Jackson tried a hot tub…he loved it!

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A great spot for me to meditate!
“I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
Philippians 4:11

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My first two blessings!

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I’ve said it before…daddy’s girl!

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My sweethearts in paradise
“The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes, and surely it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies.”
Laura Ingles Wilder

Fall Harvest at Brookgreen

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This time of the year is beautiful!
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.”
2 Corinthians 9:15

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We were loving all of the pumpkins on this warm October afternoon.

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He eats his veggies!

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The straw was really fun to play in. There were piles of it for jumping in and to use for stuffing a scarecrow.

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The girls always need a cuddly animal in their hands.

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Playful and silly

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Fall day together

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We enjoy exposing Isabela to the world around her, she excitedly follows every step of Jackson and Abigail.
“Set an example of good works yourself, with integrity and dignity in your teaching.”
Titus 2:7

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