Christmas!

The kids made Christmas so much fun this year! We spent Christmas Eve with my family.  We had dinner and opened gifts. Luke took a couple of minutes to get excited about opening presents, but then he was loving it.

Abbie got a cabbage patch baby from Grandma Bars, and boy does she love it.

 She knows just what to do.

Christmas morning was fun. The kids had all the practice they needed on the night before, because Luke was ready! As soon as he saw all those presents, he ripped into them.

Christmas day we went to the Dawsons.  We had lunch and exchanged gifts. Luke and Abbie had so much fun with their cousins and their new toys. We are so blessed to be surrounded by our family at this time of the year. 

Carruth Christmas party

We had our Carruth family Christmas party the other night. We always have our traditional crepes for dinner, and played games with cousins and aunts and uncles.

The men were all watching the game, Jed, my Dad, Jay, Luke, little Luke, Blake, Matt, Ben, and Brent. Either Ben couldn't take his eyes off the game, or he was hiding his pink eye.

Abbie, Luke, Jenna, and Katie. 

Birthday Girl!

Well, our little girl is ONE! I can't believe it, time flies. One years old is my favorite age... no more bottles, they start walking, they eat all the food big people eat. I feel like they get a little easier. We had Grandma Sharla, Grandpa Larry, Grandma Barb, Grandpa Jay, and uncle Eli come over for some birthday cake. Abigail didn't really get too excited about opening gifts, or blowing out candles, she just wanted to eat cake!

I tried to get her to blow out the candle, or at least acknowledge the cake, she just didn't care. Luke was more than happy to blow out the candle. He kept singing... to you day, to you day (his version of happy birthday)

Abbie had such a great time eating her cake, and Luke had fun playing with Abbie's toys (he says they're Luke's toys) Abbie is such a sweet little thing, she's so happy and loves to play. My kids are the bright spot of my day. I don't know what I'd do without them.

Gingerbread house

We finally got around to family night, Ben's had finals this week, so it's been hectic for him. I told Luke when Dad got home we could build a house. As soon as Ben walked in the door, Luke led him to the kitchen. Luke didn't know what the house building was all about, but he was sure excited about it. The house fell apart, but the kids loved it anyways.

Tub Time

If I try to put Luke in the tub without Abbie, he says "Abbie's coming! Abbie's coming!" Meaning, get Abbie in here now! If I try to put Abbie in the tub without Luke, Luke just strips down and jumps on in. Now that Abbie splashes Luke back instead of crying, those two have a grand old time. It's fun to see them play together. I can already see that Luke's going to be a good big brother. He gets Abbie a toy when we're going somewhere, he holds her drink in the car while she takes a sip, and he always wants " loves " from Abbie. I love seeing these kids grow, they're so much fun.

Elder Brent W. Jenkins

My little brother, Brent, received his mission call tonight! He will be serving in the Cambodia mission, and it also covers Vietnam. We are all so excited! He didn't get much warning, he leaves on January 9th, just under two months. I know Brent will be a humble servant of the Lord to the people of Cambodia. He is such a special young man, We love him and we are so happy for him.

GO CHARGERS!

We have some die hard Charger fans in this family.  They all looked so good in their Chargers gear, I'm sure that's why the Chargers won last night.  Luke's saying, "smile" in the picture, he so funny!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was fun this year with our little Piglet and Buzz Lightyear! We went to a trunk or treat with cousins, Dawson and Fisher, Aunt Courtney and Grandma Sharla. Luke got the hang of it real fast, he wasn't shy about getting his candy. He held out his basket said trick or treat, a hurried thank-you and then zoomed off to the next car.

Later we walked around a few Aunt and Uncle's homes, then had dinner at Grandma and Grandpa Jenkins. Luke disappeared during dinner, so I went to find him and caught him in front of a full length mirror checking himself out. Grandpa had been watching, and said Luke had been admiring himself for quite a while.

This kid needs a helmet!

Luke got his first set of stitches, and I'm sure it won't be his last. This kid never quits moving! His cut goes right through the middle of his eyebrow. He screamed while he was getting the stitches, then when we were done he said thank you and goodbye to the Dr. and the nurses. What a polite boy. Now he likes to look in the mirror and he moves his eyebrows up and down, checking out his wound.

Luke hasn't been feeling good the last two days, so I put the movie Dumbo on for him (he loves elephants) and then next thing I know, he's cuddled up with his dumbo (compliments of Grandma Sharla) and was fast asleep.
Kids always look so angelic while they're sleeping... I love it.

Florida 2007

Ben had work meetings in Florida this week. It was time for us to go on a trip together, so I tagged along.  Ben and his boss Ordell were stuck in meetings all day so, the wives went sight seeing.  The first day, Susan and I went and toured some gardens.  There were lots of signs telling us to watch out for alligators.  I love seeing different scenery than I usually do.  Florida is a whole new world, and I loved getting to see it.

The first night, we had dinner outside our hotel.  The food was great, and it was so beautiful looking 

out over the ocean.

The second day, Susan and I went on a tour of the Everglades.  We got on an airboat and went searching for gators.  We only saw one swim away quick, but the view was to die for, and we had the boat all to ourselves.

The second night, we had dinner on a yacht.  

We cruised all up and down the beautiful homes that were right on the water. 

 It was fun to have a relaxing week with no kids... but so much more fun to come home to them. Although Abigail decided she's not so much a Mommy's girl after all. When she first saw us, she just hung on even tighter to her Grandma.

Pumpkins

Our Landlord told Luke he could go pick a pumpkin in the garden. So he got one for himself, then said, "Abbie need a pumpkin". He went and picked out a "baby" pumpkin for his sister. He's such a good brother.

The Hogle Zoo

Grandma Sharla, Courtney, and I took the kids to the Hogle Zoo. It was such a beautiful fall day, the weather was perfect. The kids loved it, and Luke was so excited to be able to go with Fisher.  Luke and Fisher are the best of friends.