I crack myself up!

This morning, Jon had a dentist appointment and then was off to work. He surprised me by coming back home after his appointment, before heading to work. The kids were writing their creative writting stories, so I took advantage of the down time and did my exercises. Jon walked in while I was exercising and watching Perry Mason! Jon picked up the exercise DVD on the floor next to me and said my workout would probablly improve if I watched it instead of Perry. Hmm, obviously he's forgotten all the fitness videos Raymond Burr made. . . let's see there's Pilates with Perry; Crunches in the Courtroom; Sweatin' with Old People . . .

National's Bible Bowl Practice

Practice for Bible Bowl's National competition has begun! Jon taught the class last week for me, so today was my first practice with the group. This year our 'award winning' team of Blake, Caleb, Richard & Sam are competing again. Not to be left out Abigail, Baylor, Ryan & Andrew will also compete! We compete at Abilene Christian University in the spring. I coach the two National teams at 4:00 then at 6:30 I coach twelve 3rd-6th grade teams. Four hours in the book of John, whew, and look how happy they still look! I love watching their enthusiasm and they push me to learn so much!

Home Depot Day

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The first Saturday of the month means it's Home Depot Day! This is a wonderful wood working class they hold for children. We attend about 10 classes per year. Today the younger kids built bookends shaped like football helmets. Abigail has gotten in the habit of giving a fake smile when I snap photos. The photo on top with Caleb and Abigail together is a real Abigail smile. I told them both to say, 'My bookends look better!' . . . hmmm, a little healthy sibling rivalry!

Happy NewYear!

The kids tried so hard to make it until midnight last night, but they one by one they fell asleep. This morning each of them was surprised to find out they had fallen asleep.


At breakfast this morning we toasted the new year with chocolate milk (Nesquick no sugar added), over a bowl of Apple Jacks (actually the Whole Foods equivalent). Each family member told their resolutions. Abigail - to go to the park more often in 2009. Caleb - to be a better brother and control his temper. Frankie - to become a better cook. Jon's involved finances and mine involved more reading.

We wish each of you a happy and blessed 2009!

Lisa's 41st Birthday

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As most know it's our family tradition to celebrate each family member's birthday with breakfast in bed prepared by the other family members. The kids came in with pancakes and gifts at 6:15am!

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The child who is always cold, gave me a lap blanket. The child who likes to sit outside and read, gave me wind chimes for the back porch. And, the baby, well she gave me meat thermometer, which could also be used to check 'liver temperature' for 'time of death' if I need to perform an autopsy! Jon always picks my big gift, but he allows the kids to pick whatever they want to give me! It's always fun to see what they select!

Abigail's 8th Birthday

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My baby turned 8 years old today! I remember finding out I was pregnant with Abigail and thinking, 'I have the perfect daughter and perfect son, what could a third child offer.' That's what I get for thinking! God has taught me much through Abigail, and I have a strong feeling there are many more lessons to come! She's so smart, very witty and just a little rotten! We went and let her pick out her 'big kid' (20") bike, like we did with Caleb and Frankie when each of them were that age. She picked the Hannah Montana Bike! So let's review, in the past 48 hours she has received a pogo stick, roller skates and a new larger bike. . . I need to go review our insurance policy!

Mommy loves you, baby!

McAninch (Kirkwood) Christmas

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Pogo stick, BB gun and a 2,000 piece puzzle. . . . I'll let you figure out who got what! I'm thinking a little sister with a pogo stick looks like target practice for an older brother with a BB gun! The kids enjoyed playing with their 'old cousins' at Granny & Donnie's home!

Pratt Christmas

Christmas at Pawpa and Mimi's house! Mimi helped Abigail on her roller skates and Pawpa and Caleb solved all the worlds problems!

Whitekiller Christmas

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With family out-of-state, Christmas tends to be a several day affair. These are photos at my Mom & Mr. Bob's home. The kids enjoyed chocolate milk and eggnog saved spcial for them!

Merry Christmas to All!

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Above are the 'before' and 'after' Christmas photos! All my pretty color-coded, specially labeled packages will soon be in a landfill! The kids came down stairs at 5:15 this morning to see what Santa left. After checking out their stockings, they came in to wake up Santa and Mrs. Clause! Our packages were filled with MP3's, DVD's, CD's, GPS, DS's and more accronymns. Some of our favorites included roller skates, night vision googles, suduko games & chocolate covered cherries! We hope each of you had a wonderful day, snuggle with those around you and rememeber we love you and are thinking of you!