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!!!