Christmas

Channing on her pony at Aunt Carrie's house!

Santa's Thank You note for the milk and cookies!
One happy little girl!
Arden's gingerbread house and one of my gift's from mom! (by the talented Brandie Mansfield!

Daddy, Foxy and Arden checking out the new Nintendo DS!

Well, Foxy was sleeping, but I am sure she would have enjoyed it too!

Up at 6:30, down at 7:30!
Uncle Danny is hoping whatever is in that bag doesn't bite!

Channing with her new kitchen set!
Kirby looking lovely, as usual!
Auntie playing Santa Claus!
Granny Ma and Pap opening their special gift from the great grandkids!
Bubbles telling Pap what she wanted, but didn't get for Christmas!

Terry is looking a little uncomfortable with the whole situation!

Carter J. wondering what all the craziness is about!
Regan with her new VS bag and goodies!

Press Release for Graduation

Here is the press release that was in today's paper about the 1208 trooper class. Mike and Rodney rode back and forth together during the training, so he and his family feel like my family too! I am very proud of both of them!
I have known Rodney my entire life and graduated high school with him, he was in my mom's class in 4th grade and, well, Mike met him when he pulled him over one day! How funny is that??? I swear they look like brothers. But would it kill you guys to smile??:)

A sneak peak...

Last week Channing had her 6 month pictures made at McAffee's. We were about 5 weeks over due because the day she was orignally scheduled, she was sick, I was sick and Arden was sick! So better late than never. She did fabulous and we got some really cute shots. They only post one picture on their website so this is the only one I will see until I go to the viewing next week. I am not a big fan of the wash bowl, because it looks a little old timey, but put that aside, and this is the cutest stinking picture of her yet! I could just eat her up! I know, I know I am partial, but she is adorable! I can't wait to see the rest!

A few pictures from tonight...

of the cutest bunch of kiddos around!! I had the whole gang over tonight for a little get together and dinner. We had lasagna, salad, bread, and lots of homemade sweet treats courtesy of Mim and Auntie. Jennifer also made some strawberry truffles!! Everything was delicious! Before dinner, we tried to get a group picture of all of the great grand children for Granny Ma, and after several attempts, finally got one that was cute. There was no hope in getting the babies to cooperate all at the same time! I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy your family and hug them extra tight!!:)

Connor and Arden Claire enjoying some crushed ice!
Cha Cha is all smiles for the camera!
Mylie apparently has Connor and Channing's attention!
They were cheesing...literally! They had been eating Doritos and had cheese mustaches!
This is the pose we all agreed on for Granny Ma's gift. Connor was hamming it up and Arden was laughing so hard at Auntie that she was about to pee on herself!

Channing got some BLING!!

Ever since Channing was born, people have mistaken her for a boy, but as of today, hopefully that won't happen anymore!!! She got her ears pierced and was a trooper! She only cried for a second and was smiling in no time. She even got congratulatory kisses and hugs from Kirby, Mrs. Paula, Casey and Rae Rae!! We got Arden's pierced when she was about 8 weeks old and it was much easier! She was oblivious to it all. However, holding Channing still for the lady to mark her ear was a sport in itself! She is waayyy stronger than I am!! I requested that both ears be done at the same time, and it went smooth as silk! She looks absolutely adorable! Here are some pictures/video of her today after we got home. She been saying Da Da all evening. It is precious! I think I heard her say, "I love Mrs. Paula!" in there somewhere, but not sure! :) Enjoy!

Before watching the video, go to the music player and click on the pause button!

I'm Baaaaaccckkkk...

back to school that is! After much thought and a lengthy discussion with Mike, I have decided to go back and finish up my Master's. It is something that I have been (loosely) working on since 2005, and have wanted to complete, but with Mike being gone, a new baby, a new job, and all of the other things in life, I couldn't imagine trying to squeeze one more committment into my schedule. But I have realized there is no time like the present, and and I am not getting any younger. I think me turning 30 this year has made me want to "do" something significant, so what better way to mark a milestone than with a crap load of homework???:) I have had lots of support from friends, family and co-workers and thank all of you for giving me that little boost that I needed to make the next step. If everything goes as planned, I should be graduating by this time next year, give or take. I will keep you posted as things progress!

All she wants for Christmas is her...

2 front teeth. That's right, my baby girl lost her first tooth on Dec. 2nd right after we got home from Christmas in the Park.


Then, last Sunday afternoon, she pulled the one next to it while watching a movie. I told her she was going to have to slow down or the tooth fairy was going to go broke. She got 15$ for her first one, but only 2$ for the second one. I told her that the economy was bad for the tooth fairy too!!:) She looks so cute with no teeth, but it is kind of sad too, because that means she is growing up. :(

"Mommy, is that the REAL Santa Claus?"

Last night, Mike, Arden, Channing, my mother in law and father in law and I went to Woodbury to eat dinner with mom and Bob. After a great meal and an "almost" visit to the ER with Channing (that will be another post), we headed home. As we crossed the county line, Mike said, "Why don't we go to the Pitmon's house to see the lights?", and, of course, Arden giggled with delight and agreed!! It was, as usual, GORGEOUS!!! If you haven't been, you should make it a family outing!

After leaving there, we decided to see if a house in town (that we had visited last year) was decorated, and it was! I don't know whose house it is, but it is adorable and the owner dresses up as Santa and hands out candy canes! When we drove by, I didn't see him anywhere, but apparently, he was watching for visitors and came out waving! We stopped the truck, got out, got pictures and Arden even told him what she would like for Christmas! (Channing was asleep by this time, so she skipped the whole Santa experience!) It was truly magical! When we got back in the truck, Arden looked at me and said, "Mommy, is that the real Santa Claus?" And I said, "Yes, it is!! Then she said, "How do you know?" To which I replied, "Santa has many, many houses all over the world, and this is his McMinnville house." She said, "Well, it sure is pretty!!" She was in awe and amazement with the whole thing, and it was precious!

Here is a picture of Arden with the "real" Santa! Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!

Info on the houses: The Pitmon's live in Collinwood and the other house is off of Red Road. Turn right at the light(coming from town) and then first road on your right. I am so not good with directions. I know landmarks, so it is near Dr. Reuter's office, if that is helpful! :)

Trooper Cummins...FINALLY!!!

Well, after 19 weeks of intense training and being away from home, Cadet Cummins is now...Trooper Cummins! This week has been a whirlwind! Tuesday morning, I left to go to Gatlinburg for the Title Conference and was stressed beyond belief about leaving the girls. But that all worked out thanks to Kirby, Carrie and Auntie because they all took great care of my babies. On Thursday morning we headed home in a monsoon! I thought it was the absolute worst possible weather to drive in but boy was I wrong! I got home around 2:00, unpacked, packed again and left for Nashville around 4:00. When I got to Woodbury, it was snowing, but not very badly. By Murfreesboro, it was coming a blizzard! I drove 30 miles an hour in the blinding snow and after 2 1/2 hours on the road, made it to the academy to pick Mike up for dinner. I was a nervous wreck and exhausted!!!

Arden, Channing and I stayed in a hotel last night and got up around 6:00 to get ready for the graduation. By 7:45, we left and headed on to the academy for open house and then over to Two Rivers Baptist Church. What a proud wife I was! It was so awesome to see all of those guys and ONE GIRL march in! Below is the video of them coming in together!

Apparently, I have a thing for a man in uniform, because as most of you know, when Mike and I met, he was in the Army. Some things never change, huh????

Tagged by Paula!

I will answer all the questions, then tag a few people to do the same. All you have to do is copy the questions and answer them for yourself, then tag some more people. Why not, it's Christmas time---spread a little cheer:) and some laughs at the same time:)


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both

2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial, but I LOVE real trees and that is all we ever had when I was a child.

3. When do you put up your tree? Usually the weekend before Thanksgiving, but it just depends!

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually after New Year's Day, but sometimes later.

5. Do you like eggnog? Love it!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Fisher Price Cash Register

7. Hardest person to buy for? My Mom--she does have everything!

8. Easiest person to buy for? Myself

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

11. Worst Christmas gift you received as a child? Clothes--how times have changed. Now I love getting clothes!

12. Favorite Christmas movie? National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

13. When do you start your Christmas shopping? Usually the day after Thanksgiving

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas gift? Yes

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's peanut butter balls...I mean truffles!

Funny story...last year at Christmas, all of the girls were laughing about all of the foods that we had made that had the name "balls" in them and how tacky it was... Sausage Balls, Oreo Balls, Peanut Butter Balls, etc. We decided we did not like the way that it sounded, so we changed everything to "truffles". So now we eat Peanut Butter Truffles, Sausage Truffles, and Oreo Truffles. Hehehe!!!

16. Colored lights or clear on tree? Both, but not together!

17. Favorite Christmas song? My Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Christmas CD...yes I am a dork!
My mom bought that record when I was about 5 years old and I LOVED IT! I listened to it all the time. Then, when I was in 5th grade, I got a stereo with a record player. I, of course, played that record constantly until my stereo tore up and we had to send it back. Well, I sort of forgot to take the record out and it got sent back too! I was devastated until a couple of years ago when we got iTunes and I was able to download the entire CD again! YEAH!!!

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Both

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes

20. Angel or star on top of tree? Bow and a Santa

21. Open presents Christmas Eve or Christmas? Both

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Rushing!!

23. Favorite ornament? Any of the ones that Arden has made me.

24. What do you want for Christmas this year? Health, happiness, and Mike to FINALLY be done with the academy!!!

25. Favorite holiday treat(cake,cookie,dessert)? My mom's goodies!

Ok, I now tag:

I think everyone has been tagged, so not sure who to tag. If you haven't been, you're it!!!

I posted this just because...

I think she is wonderful! And when I took this picture today, I couldn't believe how grown up she looked! BAM!!! One day they are babies and the next day...THIS!!! What happens?

Happy Thanksgiving

Well, it's over...the turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, turnip greens, rolls, mac n cheese, broccoli casserole, deviled eggs, corn pudding, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, banana nut muffins, banana nut cake, Italian Cream Cheese Cake and Fruit tea are all gone!! It was, as usual, a feast and was delicious! We always go to Granny Ma's and eat and eat and eat until we can't breathe. The guys gather in one room and talk about who knows what, the girls and the babies are all in the another room making silly noises and faces at each other trying to get the little ones to laugh. We are out growing Granny Ma's living room and are going to have to move some furniture out at Christmas. Our family is growing SOOOO MUCH!!!!!!

Our tradition is always the same, but today, Granny Ma said that before the blessing was said, she wanted everyone to tell one thing that they were thankful for. She said, "It's Thanksgiving, and we should be thankful." Paula said that she wished that she could have gotten a picture of all of us in the circle holding hands, but I told her the only way to do that would be from the air! :)

Granny Ma started off with what she was thankful for and from there we all shared our thoughts. It was such a wonderful experience to hear heart felt, no holds barred emotions and know that no one would judge you or your response. We are a very emotional family and have never been afraid to cry at any occasion, happy or sad, and today I don't think there was a dry eye in the house. It was especially sweet to hear Arden and Salem tell what they were thankful for, because children don't understand how important things like family, health and freedom are. I have to say, today was one of the best Thanksgivings I have had in my life. And even though things with the economy are horrible, our country is in a state of uncertainty, and no one knows what will happen tomorrow, none of that mattered today because we had each other! I love you all and thank God I was lucky enough to be born into such a great family!

Now on a lighter note...I can't wait to get up and bust those sales wide open @ 5:00! If you are going shopping, be safe and have fun!

Arden Claire in deep thought! Jennifer and Mylie Rae
Salem telling his mom something important!!
Sweet Sisters!!!

Paula, Arden, Connor and Ramsey
Uncle Danny looking on as Regan steals some love!
Time to play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The guys discussing important issues!!
Salem and Channing!!
Mim and her girls in front of the Santa tree!
Daddy's girls!!
Our family!!!!!!!!!!!

Too much Turkey!!!

Sweetest Baby in the world @ 6 months!

Yesterday was Channing's 6 month check up, so you know what that means...shots! And not just the usual 3, she also had to get a flu shot, as well. But she did great and is growing like crazy!! She is sitting up all by herself, has learned to drink from a straw (SO FUNNY), and has finally begun to keep herself entertained a bit. Arden loved her bouncy seat, swing and walker; Channing has never loved any of them and would much rather be held. And she doesn't mind showing off her temper if you can't take a hint after a few seconds of her whining!

She weighs 19.11 lbs. and is 27 inches long. She is a BIG girl, but to me, the chubbier the baby, the better! I am amazed at how much she has changed in such a small amount of time, and have a VERY hard time grasping that Arden is 6 and not 6 months! She is wonderful and I can't imagine my life without her in it!

Happy Birthday, Bubbles!

We want to wish our Aunt Lynette or (aka Bubbles to everyone in our family) a WONDERFUL birthday today!!! She is one of the funniest people you will ever meet and always makes me smile, no matter what! She loves to laugh, and LOVES the beach and the sun even more! She is brown as a biscuit all the time!!! Hmmm...reminds me alot of someone else I know. (Paula B)


Happy Birthday, we love you and can't wait to see you tomorrow!!!


Bubbles and Granny Ma in deep conversation!

Finally...

I am DONE!! I just put the finishing touches on my tree a few minutes ago and thought I would post some pictures. I usually have an "all Santa" tree because I have been collecting Santas since my mom began buying them for me in high school, and I always add a special one to my collection each year. And I usually put my tree in the living room, which means I have to take an end table out so I can have my tree exactly where I want it and not have to totally re-arrange the room. But this year, there is a swing, a jumparoo, a bumbo, a "lay in the floor and stare at the dangly things above my head" thingy and all of the dogs' toys, plus whatever Arden decides to drag in here. Sooooo...all of the above "USUALLYS" lead me to this...I decided to put my tree in the dining room this year because, Lord knows that room is NEVER used, and my mom gave me these GORGEOUS purple, silver, gold, and iridescent ornaments a couple of years ago and I had not even gotten them out of the boxes until Saturday night.

This year I thought: GREEN DINING ROOM+PURPLE TREE=PERFECT!!! And it is!! I am loving it!!! I am still in the process of getting the Santa tree up, but will post those pictures as soon as I can!

Disclaimer: Please disregard the "fall" decor outside on the front porch! I promise by this weekend, there will be no more "season blending" at our house. It will all be Christmas!!! And I have 12 boxes of outdoor net lights in the garage to back that up! Shhhhh...don't tell Mike! :)

Back from the dead!

Ok, remember in one of my previous post I told you how Channing was sick with a virus and an ear infection. Well, I woke up with it around 1:00 Sunday morning and then about 6:00, Arden began throwing up. It was HORRIBLE!!!! Later on, I called mom to let her know that we were all sick, and she said that she had been sick all night too! Last night I called Jennifer to ask her a question, only to hear that she and Mylie also had been sick, as well!

Now, let me back up for a minute and explain...I took Channing to the Dr. on Friday, got meds. and she was fine Friday night and Sat. morning, so Mike and I decided to head to the Boro and do some Christmas shopping. I dropped Channing off at mom's, because I didn't want to get her out in the freezing temps. Then, after we got to Murfreesboro, dropped Arden off at Jennifer's house, so I could shop for her. So basically, my shopping trip made everyone in my family sick! I think we are all on the mend, except for Channing. I have been on the phone with the dr. this morning because she is still having bad diapers. Hopefully we will figure out what is going on with that.

I do have give props to the best husband in the world...MINE!! As you know, he is gone to Nashville all week long for training, so had we gotten sick during the week, I don't know what I would have done. He literally did EVERYTHING for me yesterday. He took care of Channing, Arden and me, washed sheets, toilets, bottles, sinks, etc. You name it, he did it! All with no sleep, because we had been up all night! Doing all of this while having to iron his uniforms, wash all of his clothes for the academy, and try to watch his precious football games! :) I can't thank him enough for everything he did! I honestly don't know what I would have done without him.

However, before all of this happened, I did get my tree up Saturday night. I will post pictures as soon as I can!

Now, I do hope that you and your family do not have to endure this! It is not pretty!!!

Happy Birthday, Mrs. Paula!

Happy Birthday to Mrs. Paula Morris! We hope your day is as wonderful as you are! And that you are feeling better soon! We love you!

Don't Forget...

to check out the Project Graduation booth at the Craft Fair! You are sure to find some goodies there and support a great cause in the process! You better get there soon or the only thing left will be the "KRUMBZ"!!!!!!

Sick baby!

Well, for 6 months we've dodged the bullet, but as of yesterday, Channing has had her first round of sickness. She has been running a temp. of 101 with a stomach virus, and has not been her usual "happy" self for a few days. So I took her to the Dr. today, and turns out, she has an ear infection. We are on the "pink stuff" for 10 days and hopefully on the road to a speedy recovery!

I took her to school with me yesterday so she and Arden could get their pictures made with Santa, but before she went back to daycare, Mrs. Brandy and I couldn't resist this Kodak moment!:) WE LOVE OUR MRS. BRANDY!!!!