Snow, Cheer, Dallas, and Valentines

We have been very busy these past two months.
Layla has been to 4 cheer competitions and is having a blast. I wanted to get a close-up of this makeup. I have to use eye glue and glitter, it is crazy.



Layla loves Coach Lindsey.



We have also enjoyed the Arkansas weather. One day in January, it was warm enough for a picnic.



Then a few weeks later it snowed. Arkansas weather is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get. Forest Gump-one of my all time favorite movies.







Layla and her friend in Dallas. They went to the American Girl store and ice skated and rode the Galleria escalators a lot.





I always enjoy Valentine's Day. The kids picked from some Valentine suggestions and I helped put them together.





She can not take a normal picture. I am blaming it on the age.





Dylan was helping me make brownies in her new apron.



Nash and Pepper are having a stare down.
This is who I spend most of my days with. They both keep me on my toes!



Pepper would sleep right there if I stayed in the room. He was supposed to be the kids dog, but he follows me around wherever I go. But he is very good with the kids, by good I mean he tolerates them.



And yes Nash sleeps with the overhead light on.

Thanksgiving, Christmas and Everything In Between

Harrison got his 2nd deer, a spike, but it was big.



Dylan being a "turkey", she usually is, at her Kindergarten Thanksgiving Program.



Thanksgiving Day Photo!



Ready for the Christmas Parade!



It wasn't too cold this year, but we still had to have our traditional popcorn and hot chocolate. There is one thing (person) missing, Layla, she rode on the TGIC Saints Cheer-team float. This makes me sad; we usually all watch the parade together. She's growing up and I can't stop her.



Six little birds sitting on a fence...
This is what happens when we fence in our yard. All the neighbor kids can't walk thru the gap.



There's only one reason to fence in our yard, right?
Yes, we finally broke down and got a DOG!
He is a Toy Australian Shepherd and his name is Pepper.



The girls wanted to take Pepper to Show and Tell at school.
Dylan and Pepper



Dylan is the one who asked Santa for a fence, so we could get a dog. Did I mention, she loves, loves, loves this dog? She will not let the dog walk. But she also does not complain when it is raining and someone has to take the dog out to take care of his business. She even held the umbrella over the dog.
SPOILED DOG!



December was busy as usual.

Harrison was in Nutcracker again; he is the redheaded one. HA! We couldn't take pictures during performance, so this is with my phone camera at the curtain call.



Layla with her Cheer-team, doing pyramids. They were ringing the bell to raise money for Salvation Army.



Family Christmas #1
Headed to Grandma and Peepaw Turnipseed's house



Nash loves Pepper and also torments Pepper.



Family Christmas #2
Christmas morning
I ask the kids to hold up their favorite gift.
Nash is holding a Ben 10 watch, Dylan is holding gummie bears, Layla is holding an iPod Touch, and Harrison is holding a book.
Which one do you think is our high-maintenance child?



Family Christmas #3
Baker Family at our house. We had about 13 kids, I lost count and all the adults that went with the kids. It was a house full and I loved it. The first time we didn't have to leave our house on Christmas Day, and it was nice.


Nash was sick and wouldn't look at the camera. He was also being a little contrary; I know you find that hard to believe.

September and October

Dylan has wanted to play soccer since last year and she is finally old enough.



She is loving it...she is the only one on her team who doesn't ever want a break.



She has got quite a big kick. She might have found her sport and if not she is having lots of fun. She has the biggest smile on her face during practice and during her games.



Harrison started Cotillion this fall. I don't think he would admit it, but I believe he is enjoying it. For anyone who doesn't know (I had no idea until I read up on it), Cotillion is where boys and girls learn dances, proper way to eat at social gatherings, introducing each other, proper rising when a girl comes or leaves table, how to shake hands, home and party manners, and other helpful things. They dress up for every class and will be participating in two balls. Doesn't he look handsome.



There was a birthday party for one of our cousins at Nana and Papa's cabin.
Three little monkeys sitting in a tree...thankfully no monkeys fell out and bumped their heads.



We tried to keep the kids out of the creek, it didn't work. The water was COLD, but they played until their lips were blue.





We took the kids to Nana and Papa's lake to fish and play in the paddle boat. Everyone caught a fish except Nash; he wanted to ride in paddle boat and throw rocks in the lake. Although he did get some of the rocks in the lake a few ended up in his own eye. I know what your thinking, it takes talent to throw a rock and have it land in the same eye 3 times.













We surprised Layla (and one of her best friends) with a trip to see Taylor Swift for her birthday. Amos and I had just as much fun as they did. The opening act Need to Breathe was terrific as always and then Taylor Swift came out and sang for about 2 1/2 hours. It was probably my favorite concert to date and Layla had a blast.













Spirit Week at Sequoyah!

50's Day


Mix Match Day


Camo Day


Boot Day


Dylan's 1st Field Trip - Johnston's Pumpkin Patch













My mom came with us to the pumpkin patch, so Nash could come. We also invited Tristan, my sister's son. They are two peas in a pod with a little extra trouble thrown in.



Halloween Costumes - Take One
We had a Halloween Party and this is what everyone wore.









We decided not to carve pumpkins this year, so we sequined ours.



Halloween Costumes - Take Two (Nash broke his Knight helmet at the party)
So I dug out Harrison's Woody (Toy Story) costume. I tried to put a gun in his holster, Nash says "Woody doesn't have a gun." I had to look at a picture on a lunch box to make sure. He was right; that boy doesn't miss much.