Christmas 2010

We had a great Christmas this year! One thing I know for sure? My children are spoiled! We tried really hard not to go overboard on the gift-giving. But, apparently, my family didn't get that memo. Clearly, they are not the ones having to keep all the toys picked up around here!

I spent yesterday afternoon organizing Becca's bedroom and making room for all her new loot. Of course, the child doesn't understand the concept of getting rid of things she doesn't need/play with anymore. She doesn't even want to give them to kids who don't have any toys! Guess we need to work on that...

Here is my favorite photo of the kids. We took this on our trip to Branson. Becca is still not keen on visiting with the "real Santa," so I was thrilled that she at least sat for this picture with the big guy. This Santa was in one of the shops we visited. IF I had done Christmas cards this year, this would have been our photo. LOVE IT!

Fergie was checking out all the Christmas morning loot. Becca got just what she asked Santa for in her letter, text and e-mail that she sent him: a race car with a track, a Barbie and a big girl Dora doll that talks and has a hair brush.

Lee & Becca checking out her stocking.

The babies got to watch all the fun from the front row.

Becca loved this gift from Tracy and Jonathan--matching raincoat, umbrella and boots!

Our little elf Evan enjoyed his new gift too!

What a year it's been for the Bramells. Who knew our life would change so much so quickly? We are very lucky and very loved. Our house may be a wreck and there may be mountains of dirty laundry, but we are hanging in there. We have 3 healthy, wonderful kids and a minivan that we love! Happy New Year everyone!

Catch up Pictures

Just ran across these pictures from our Thanksgiving visit to Wynne.

Carley and Becca stayed with Dad and Karen on Black Friday while Lee and I went to Jonesboro for the day. Evan stayed with Grammy and Nanny.

This was the funniest thing EVER! Dad has this Rooster in his kitchen....Becca decided to give it a ride. Very entertaining, to say the least.


Pop and Carley hanging out on the couch.

Branson 2010

We made our (almost) annual December trip to Branson the first weekend of the month. We celebrated Tracy and Jonathan's birthdays, saw some Christmas lights and let our little fishy enjoy some pool time.

We had hoped to try Silver Dollar City for the first time with Becca and the babies, but it turned out to be too cold and windy. Plan B was hitting the Dixie Stampede Christmas show (indoors), but that didn't happen either....sold out. I was pretty bummed out and missing the holiday cheer. The drive-thru light display was pretty good and pretty cheap, so that's what we got to do.

It was nice to spend some more time with the family, but it was hard being gone from home two weekends in a row. The kids were all well-behaved, though, so it was ok.

Here is our own little WEB GEM created when we went to dinner at Shorty Small's. Enjoy, Uncle T...your pig riding skills made the blog highlights!

Party in the USA

This may be my most favorite video of Becca, EVER. This was last night during dinner. We had the radio on, trying to eat and get out Christmas decorations all at the same time.

Not sure who she got her moves from.....but she can work it. Turn up your sound and enjoy!

Our super reader

Lee recorded a new video last night, so as I was going through the camera, I also found this one. Becca was reading to me before bed one night. She is still crazy about her books. Most nights we have 3-5 bedtime stories. She also likes to take a pile of books with her when she naps. It's the cutest thing! We are thrilled that she loves books.

Trick-or-Treat Fun

Halloween fell on Sunday this year. There was much discussion in the state about changing trick-or-treating to Saturday instead. The towns in our area left it on Sunday, which was no big deal, really. What are they gonna do, move it every year for the next 4 years, too?

Lee took Becca back to our old neighborhood so she could trick-or-treat with her buddy Madison, as she has done for the past two years. Now that we've moved, they don't get to see each other anymore. I stayed home with the wee ones to hand out candy at the door. We had a big night of eating Gerber green beans and listening to Fergie bark at the costumes.

I really would have loved to see this! Madison is Elmo (again!), Princess Becca and the Fairy Greenlee, who is the daughter of the family renting our old house. Lee said it was all three daddies and their girls hitting the streets. Priceless!

Becca has always been too shy to knock on doors or say "trick-or-treat." Last year, she let Madison do all the work and she just held out her pumpkin for candy. This time, Lee reported that she was right in the action. She liked to ring the bell and the girls would say "trick-or-treat" and giggle. So fun for her!

We got all the kids in their costumes and wanted to visit a couple of our neighbors to let Becca practice. Carley the Sleepy Penguin crashed on the couch before we made it out the door. Becca was itching to go NOW. Sweet Bear Evan was just hanging out in his bouncy seat trying to figure out what was going on. I'm sure future Halloweens around here are going to get crazy!

Halloween 2010

Here are some photos of our pre-Halloween festivities. The kids celebrated on Friday, with a party at their school. Grammy came to visit for the weekend, but wasn't able to stay for trick-or-treating on Sunday evening.

Costume pics to follow. I only get to sit down for 5 minutes, you know!

My sweet girls are just crazy about each other!

Our little pumpkins dressed for school on Friday! Don't they look happy?

Impromptu photo shoot with my crew. Where's Fergie anyway?

Grammy changing one last diaper before she left. He's her favorite grandson!

Mr. Jack O. Lantern, masterpiece of Lee Bramell and his assistant, Becca.