You can take the girl out of the South, but you can't take the South out of the girl!!!

After 10 months since our last visit to Charlotte, North Carolina, we packed up literally everything but the kitchen sink, and headed South for 21 days from January 2-23rd!!! In case any of you are wondering how Bruce could be gone for so long from work, his company gives fathers 1 month of PAID infant care leave! This is a picture of Baylor just starting to stand in his Jumparoo New Years Day, as I was packing our luggage. He is just about 1 week shy of 4 months.

Picture of all the boys just after arriving to my sister's house. From L-R her son Harrison age 6 yrs. 6 mos, Bennett age 5 yrs. 2 mos, Baylor almost 4 months, Sterling almost 4 yrs., and Brayden 3 yrs. 3 mos. We had a wonderful time with 5 boys in the house and only made one trip for stitches :o). Details below:

Bennett recently learned how to swing himself on the big swing. He gives the credit to his pre-school teachers that work with him each day at school. They have a swing set just outside their classroom and usually begin the day playing outside. Bennett has spent lots of time mastering the art of swinging.

Bennett on the playground equipment at the park by my sister's house.

Brayden climbing in the tunnels. It was a very cold day and the boys were itching to get outside. Bruce and I said we would take the big boys to the park to get some energy out and my sister Robin stayed back at the house and watched Baylor.

Sterling and those big beautiful blue eyes.

Harrison taking a break to pose for "Aunt B"

Harrison found this ball at the park and the boys were having fun. With 4 little boys you can be sure there is some fun to be had!!!

Brayden on the swing, he loves to go as high as the sky! If you push him slowly he will demand to go faster and faster.

A gorgeous shot of Sterling just before the accident. Bruce was pushing Brayden on the swing and had reminded Sterling to watch out for the swing. Big brother Harrison kicked the ball up under the swing and Sterling instinctively ran up under the swing before Bruce could stop him. The swing came back and popped him just outside his left eye. Needless to say our fun was over at the park and Bruce, Robin, and Sterling were off to Urgent Care and Sterling got 4 stitches. That put our photo shoot of the boys on hold the next day since he had a black eye and stitches.

On Saturday January 5th Baylor met his Grandaddy Johnson for the first time. Needless to say this boy had Grandaddy wrapped around his little finger.

Baylor with Grandma McKinstry waving Hi!

Story time with Auntie Robin, if you enlarge the picture you may be able to see Sterlings black eye. (Ouch)

On Sunday January 6th, Baylor met Great Grandma Snodgrass for the first time. (my moms, mom) She had been saying ever since he was born that she wanted to hold him so bad. On a side note, Baylor looks so much like my moms baby picture. Sometimes I feel like it's my mom looking at me, pretty cool God's handiwork.

Sterling outside at Grandma Ruth's house, gathering items to make a tree house.

Harrison throwing leaves. We realized this was the first time our boys had ever played in leaves. They had a great time experiencing the rustling and cruntching of natures beauty.

Bennett reading some books outside in the leaves and Harrison gathering big sticks to make a tree house.

Mommy and Baylor getting some fresh air!

Bennett reading to Brayden at Grandma's

----------------------------------------------------------------- On Monday January 7th we took Baylor to our old pediatrician Dr. Glen Holladay because he was having some feeding issues. He had been having diarrhea for close to 2 weeks, and Dr. Holladay felt it was an intolerance to formula. I tried breast feeding and was successful for close to 4 months, but after 6 clogged milk ducts and more milk blisters than I can count, that I had to pop myself, I switched to formula. He switched him to Similac Alimentum $$$$ and he has done beautifully. I hope to switch him to regular formula soon. We go on Tuesday for a recheck and hopefully can start rice cereal. Anyway after the appointment we went for a play group with my great friends Joy Cabrie and her twins Lori and Lindsay, and my friend Kara Huntley and her kids Kalyn and Noah. Kalyn is 7 weeks younger than Bennett and Noah is 7 days younger than Brayden. I guess she was not ready to be pregnant with me for #3, but her sister had a baby right after I had Baylor! I forgot my camera that day, but we had a great time with all the kiddos! Hopefully we can all get together sooner than 10 months the next time :o).

On Tuesday January 8th we went to Monkey Joes to play with some of our friends from our old church Christ Lutheran. This is Bennett with one of his best friends Alexa. Their birthdays are 2 weeks apart, and they have been friends since age 3 months where we met at Little Lambs music class. Alexa and Bennett have a very special relationship and no matter the miles between us, they still love each other very much and pick right up where they left off each time they see one another. She says Bennett is her prince and that one day they will get married :o). I really would not be surprised if it happened.

Alexa's mommy Lindsey and her son Lucas age 2yrs. 10 mos. , Brayden and Lucas had a fabulous time playing together. Alexa had told Lucas before we arrived that she was playing with Bennett and that his friend would be Brayden :o).

All the kids minus Brayden, Lucas, and baby Kaitlyn

From L-R Andrew and Hayden Stiene, Camille and Ben English, Jackson and Samuel Hartig, Emma and Abby Brincefield(they have a baby sister Kaitlyn born just before Baylor) Their mom Dana and I have been pregnant at the same time each time and all our kids are within weeks or days of one another. That's all for me Dana :o), Alexa Karger, Bennett, and Baylor.

Brayden coming off the big slide.

Lucas palying a game of pound the shark.

We sure had a great time and really enjoy getting the kids together when we go back for a visit and see how they have grow. We can't wait to see you all again soon.

Baylor and Grandaddy Johnson. After staying with my sister for 10 days we gathered our things and went to stay with my dad and Martha for 6 days.

Saturday January 12th we went to Joy and Danny Cabrie's house for BBQ, baked beans, homemade slaw, banana pudding, sweet tea, and great company with the Cabrie’s, Huntley’s', and our family. We had a great time and the kids of course had lots of fun playing with one another. The boys brought their Wii and it was fun watching all the kids together.

Our family

The Cabrie's: Danny, Joy, Lori(purple shirt), and Lindsay(white shirt)

Huntley's: David, Kalyn, Kara, and Noah

Back at grandad's and Martha's for some fun with Martha. She is so good with the kids and they love her games!!!

One happy little BOY!!!

Mommy's little ham :o) I love those rolls and boy does he have a lot. He was weighed at the dr's on 1/7 and was 15lbs. and 15 oz. My baby is getting soooo big. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We also had a play date with our friends from our old neighborhood on Tuesday January 15th. Once again I forgot my camera :o(. We got together with Erin and her kids Charlie, Andrew, and baby Luke(each of her boys are within days or weeks of our boys), Kristin and her boys Colin, Ryan, and Chase, and Beth and her girls Virginia, Elizabeth, and Macy. We loved our old neighborhood and miss our old neighbors dearly. Thanks for hosting a fun play group Erin.

On Friday January 18th we gathered our things and went to stay with Bruce's parents until we left on the 23rd. My friend Karen who recently moved from AZ to Davidson, NC came to visit with her newest son Kore. She had Kore exactly 2 weeks before I had Baylor. They both are about the same weight, but Baylor's head is in the 90% and Kore's is like 25%. They are such little cuties. Karen and Kyle are going to be Baylor's sponsors when we baptize him 2/17, and Karen and Kore are coming for a visit 2/15-19 so she can be here for Baylor's baptism. Yeah I can't wait!!!

The boys and my brother Danny. They have so much fun with Uncle Danny.

Sterling celebrated his 4th b-day while we were there. It also happened to snow for the second time that day! From L-R Brayden, Aunt Robin and Devin, Harrison, Sterling, Baylor with Grandad, and Bennett. Bruce walking by in the background. He had a cowboy and Indian theme party and I think the highlight of the party next to the snow, was the piñata.

Baylor having tummy time, this was taken after we returned home, but I just thought it was a cute picture. He is about 4 1/2 mos.

More cutie Baylor, he is such a happy baby!!! We finally made it to get the pictures of the boys together on January 22nd, the day before we left.

This is the one we chose of all the 5 boys together. I was very pleased with how well it turned out.

Brothers Harrison and Sterling

Our boys Bennett, Brayden, and Baylor

Harrison

Sterling Bennett

Brayden

Baylor

Thanks for hanging in with me for this post, I took me several days to get this one together, hopefully I'll not have one that big for a while. :o)

We sure enjoyed our time back home, and had our fill of Southern BBQ and sweet tea, but it has been nice to return to our normal daily routine. We love and miss each of you, our family and friends and hope to be with you all again real soon!!!

Christmas 2007

Mommy and Bennett at Bennett's pre-school Christmas party!!! The kids made snowman tee shirts with their footprints that said,"Let it snow", that they wore to their party and had cookies, Reindeer bark, & muffins to eat. Each child also brought a wrapped book and they did a musical chair book swap. We had a great time.

The boys by the tree in Kid Kountry just after Bennett's school party. Bennett is now on break and will no go back until the end of January. He is so excited to have a break.

Baylor sitting in his Bumbo for the first time. Look at his happy face!!! I don't think he knew what to make of sitting by himself with out being held.

Baylor wearing his cute little shirt from the Musgraves that says, "All Mommy wants for Christmas is a Silent Night." Notice how is laughing about it :o) He is actually doing quite a bit better with his sleeping, thank goodness!!!

Baylor Christmas Eve just before heading to church. The outfit he is wearing was Brayden's Christmas outfit. I often like to take pictures of each boy in the same outfit and compare how they looked at the same age. We went to the 3pm Children's service which was perfect as they had the children to participate in the service. After we got home we made our traditional Potato soup with deli sandwiches. We got the kids ready and off to bed by 8:00 pm. We got everything out and ready and were in bed by 12pm ourselves after watching A Christmas Story. Around 1:30am Bennett came in to announce that Santa had arrived. We told him to go back to bed as it was not time to get up. Then Baylor woke up at 2:30am and needed to have his passy back. At 5:30am Bennett came back in and announced that Santa had arrived, we told him it still was not time to get up so he went back to bed. At 6:00am Baylor woke again and wanted milk, so we fed him and put him back to bed and started our Breakfast casserole in the oven. (I had made it the night before and it had to soak overnight in the fridge before baking) Finally around 7:30am everyone was up for good except Baylor, but we just got him up so he could be a part of the action. Wow I was wore out before the day started :o).

The boys received so many wonderful things for Christmas. Bennett got a Star Wars storm trooper blaster gun that he had been wanting for some time. He was soooooo excited when he opened the gift.

I love this picture, because it captures how totally surprised he was opening his gifts. It is so wonderful to experience life through the eyes of a child! He also got many games for the XBOX and Nintendo DS Lite systems, Legos and subscription to Brickmaster magazine, books, & Webkinz. In addition we got a Wii for the family! Our fabulous friend Tony Musgrave was walking into Best Buy before Christmas and they set out a pallet and he grabbed one for us! Thanks Tony you ROCK! The kids and us have had such a fun time with the boxing game in particular.

Brayden waiting patiently for his turn to open a gift. He got Candy Land Castle, Webkinz Gorilla, Spiderman doll, Ben 10 action figure, Playmobile Pirate set, counting money jar, and Zoob.

Baylor snuggling with his new blanket which is part of his Zoobie pal. (His is a crocodile which is a stuffed animal/pillow/blanket all in one) He also got teethers, rattle monkey, clothes, and Leap Frog stackers.

Holding his Monkey rattle Christmas morning. This was his first time holding a toy!!!

The boys boxing each other on the Wii. They are so much fun to watch. Bennett runs in place so hard and fast trying to KO his opponent. He is very competitive and does not like to loose, but who does?

They also got Batman and Superman chairs from Grandma and Grandpa McKinstry and Bennett is sitting in his chair checking out the Wii.

This was our first Christmas ever without any family, so again our friends the Musgraves invited us to be with their family Christmas Eve and this is a picture of the boys waiting to open their gifts.

Mommy and Baylor Christmas Eve.

Our beautiful sons, the best Christmas presents we could ask for. We are looking forward to all the wonderful things in store for us for 2008!!!

More December Updates

Just below this post is another update of a family Christmas photo with Santa!!! This picture was taken yesterday at Bennett's Lil' Kicks karate class. From L-R is Carson, Bennett, Zachary,Deane, and Jackson. He has had an amazing year in his karate class and has made some really wonderful friends. The parents laugh and say his Sensei's must be saints to handle 5 little energetic boys with such grace and ease!

The Advent chains were made by the boys at our church's Angel breakfast to count down the days until Christmas.

The stockings were hung by the entertainment center with care?!?!?! We have no fireplace so we had to hang them somewhere. The boys have asked how will Santa get in our home, and we have told them that he will just come in through our sliding glass door by the pool. :o)

Our new tree skirt to match our stockings. It took Pottery Barn three times to get the spelling right :o)!

The boys and I made our annual Gingerbread house. The tradition was started by our old neighbor Kristen. We used to get together with her 2 boys, my friend Christina's 2 boys, Erin's 2 boys, and our 2 boys. We have now added 3 more boys to the mix. Well we sure can make gorgeous boys!!! Burning beside the Gingerbread house is my Christmas candle from Yankee Candle, it smells so wonderful and I've really enjoyed it this year.

This adorable little ornament was one of several ornaments made by Bennett this year. It looks so sweet and yummy!

Here is a picture of the boys decorating the Gingerbread house together. I put icing on two different sides and no arguments as they each have their own space to decorate.

Baylor all smiles just before bath looking up at his mobile.

Bennett, Brayden, and daddy at Bennett's school Christmas play. The parents got to go up and sing a few Christmas carols with the kids and Brayden wanted to go as well :o). Easier to let him go and avoid the screams that were sure to follow if we had said no.

Bennett and his class mates during the play. This picture was taken from our chair with our new camera and its fabulous zoom lens. I LOVE my new camera!!

Cutie Brayden at a Birthday party for Jordyn, who is a girl in Bennett's preschool class. He is holding "Chicky" who is a little rabbit, but he insists that he is a chicken not a rabbit. Chicky has gone with us everywhere lately and has had his ear sew back on once.

Below are just a couple of cute pictures of Baylor at 3 months. He will not go back for a check at the Dr's until the end of January, but I've gotten on the scale and subtracted my weight and I think he is right at 14 lbs. at 14 weeks.

We have been calling him, "Tank" as he does not miss many meals :o). He has been doing quite well with his sleep, having a bath, feed and in the bed by 7:30pm. He is put to bed awake and falls asleep on his own. He can go about 8 hrs. and wakes usually around 3:30am for a quick feed and back to bed until 6:30 or 7 am. It's not a full nights sleep uninterrrupted, but it is much better than the initial first 3 months of getting up every 2-3 hrs.!!!!

The McKinstry family taken at the Angel breakfast at our church. It was December 1st and helped kick off the Advent season for the purpose of teaching the children about the real meaning of Christmas, Jesus! It was done so well and each part was about 10-15 min. so perfect to keep little ones attention.

All things Merry and Bright

Here is the only picture I could upload before the baby woke, so I'll try to add more a little later. This was taken at Bennett's school, Breakfast with Santa. What a fabulous idea. We had breakfast and pictures with Santa in 30 minutes time, drop the kids off for school and we avoided the mall all together. So wonderful for the busy mom!!! I must admit I do enjoy the business and craziness of the mall this time of year, but not with 3 little ones under 5, even that is too much for me :o).

This picture I added of me, since usually they are of the kids. I got a new camera, early Christmas present from Bruce. Nikon D40, I must say I had just finished fixing my hair, but no makeup yet. I had him take the picture so I could see how my hair color looked since I had it done the day before.