Xander's 6th Birthday Party

...was held at Pump It Up! It was on November 21, 2009. We had fun acting like kids at Little Man's party! Happy birthday to our favorite little buddy!






























After Xander's party we had Jennifer's baby shower. Here is a couple of pictures of me holding Jaiden.

Halloween

I know, way late, but I didn't have my camera on Halloween, so I had to wait til Pam could burn me hers. So here they are!

Jared went dressed as my dad!



Xander as the coolest Wolverine ever!


Hannah as a Good Witch


Chandler as the Black Power Ranger


Mama as an angel


My daddy!


Most of the people who dressed up at the church Trunk-or-Treat


Me as the Statue of Liberty and Rachel as Betty Crocker


Me, Marley as a witch, and Nolan as Snake Eyes from GI Joe


Jared, Joseph, & Dad


Dad and Pam (my dad's work shirt says "Peace, Love, & Hospice! hehe)


Me, mama, and Joseph

Cheese and Xander

After the Pumpkin Patch, Rachel and Ben invited us all over for taco soup and pumkin carving. When I asked Rachel what could I bring, she told me cheese. Later she told me to bring Xander, too. So, I told her I would be there with cheese...and Xander!
I didn't get any pictures of us carving or the finished product. It's a shame because that was my first time to carve the whole pumpkin all by myself! We had a great time of fellowship with friends! Here are some cute pictures of Xander holding Jaiden for the first time! It was precious because he was so convinced that Jaiden really liked him and kept saying so! At one point Jaiden started getting a little fussy. Xander said,"That's ok baby, I'll take care of you!" He loves to hold her, but hates having to wash his hands before doing so!

Donna's Wedding

On Thursday, November 5, 2009, mama and I flew to Ohio for my cousin, Donna's, wedding. My mom's youngest sister was the only sister not going, but thanks to Aunt Susie, Kendra would be surprising the whole family (minus Grandma, we had to tell her) by being at the airport when they arrived to pick mama and me up. Our plane was delayed by an hour, so Aunt Kendra arrived in Columbus, Ohio before us, though originally our flights were to arrive minutes apart. Mama and I got off the plane, found Aunt Kendra, retrieved our luggage and then headed to the sidewalk to patiently wait on Aunt Deb, Aunt Joyce, & Grandma. We ended up waiting forever cuz those crazy aunts of mine were having a field day at Hobby Lobby and then Aunt Deb got lost because she always does when she goes to the airport! Aunt Kendra would hide inside the airport door anytime we saw a van that looked liked Aunt Deb's, only to discover it was not them. BUT FINALLY, it was them! As Aunt Kendra hid inside, mama and I began loading our luggage in and Aunt Deb and Aunt Joyce fussed over arranging it all just so. Meanwhile I ran over to Grandma to hug her and assure her we did in fact, not lose her precious baby! So, as the aunts were fussing and arranging, Aunt Kendra snuck up behind them and shouted, "Hey! You got room for one more?" Aunt Joyce turned around and said, "I knew it!" Aunt Deb turned around and started bawling! Aunt Kendra told them that she got to come because mama bought her plane ticket, so then they all started hugging and crying and thanking mom, course Grandma had been crying because she knew about the surprise! It was so fun to surprise them! We all hopped into the van for more crying and then headed off to Applebee's for lunch, Aunt Joyce's treat! Thanks Aunt Joyce! More fussing, playfully, and more getting lost, but we did eventually make it, after an hour, to Applebee's. The waitress at Applebee's got a kick out of the plethora of accents, GA, MD, MA, AL, OH, PA, FL... Next stop was the JCPenney Outlet. I got several xmas gifts and other goodies. Then we headed back to Aunt Deb's because Aunt Jo was calling because she wanted us to hurry up and get there because she got there and we hadn't made it back yet (she's so demanding:)) First we had to make a quick stop at Starbucks, thanks again Aunt Joyce!!!! Meanwhile, Aunt Jo is calling again and we have to be quiet so she doesn't hear Aunt Kendra! We finally arrive to Aunt Deb's, get out, and go inside, leaving Aunt Kendra in the car for another surprise. We are all hugging, glad to see each other when the doorbell rings and in walks Aunt Kendra! Aunt Jo starts crying and hugging her, so happy to see her! We forgot we didn't even tell Uncle David, so he walks in and starts laughing because we got him, too!

Another surprise at 1 am when cousins Christy, Becky, and Gavin arrive!
Friday we wake up and go to Ohio Valley College (where Donna and Brian went to school and met) to help decorate for the reception, then over to their church to check on decor there for the wedding, and then back to Aunt Deb's to help them off for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. The rest of us had fun playing games and visiting until they came back.
Saturday was the wedding!
Devin with his fresh hair cut!

My adorable Grandad! When he walked out of his room dressed and ready to leave for the wedding, I exclaimed, "Grandad! You look so handsome!" Everyone turned to look at him and exclaim over him! Grandma cried with pride!
That's Uncle Dennis to the right of Grandad.

Shelby and Devin switched shoes while they helped clean up after the wedding reception.

Devy Wevy


Aunt Nay, Aunt Joyce, Gavin, and Aunt Jo


Me & Gavin


Aunt Joyce and her girls, Becky & Christy


Mama, me, & Aunt Kendra


Grandma & Grandad


Grandad & Uncle Bob (my Grandma's bro-in-law)


The Sisters (minus Aunt Deb, mother-of-the-bride duties)


Uncle David(father-of-the-law) walking Donna down the isle


Me & Gavin at the reception


After the wedding reception we all pitched in and helped clean up. Sunday, we all went to church and then came home and played games and visited. Becky played dress up with Grandad and this is how he turned out!




After church that evening, the ladies of the family that were there, did our annual ornament swap. Christy had my name and got me the cutest snowman ornament. I gave Denni her ornament from Pan and gave Becky Raven's ornament from me. After that we all played Catch Phrase until we were too tired to stay awake! The next morning most everyone left and Aunt Deb, Aunt Kendra, and Grandma drove Aunt Joyce, mama, and me to the airport to see us off. I loved being with all of my family and can't wait to see them again at the Ken Woodmancy family reunion in June!

Pumpkin Patch

One Saturday in October, a bunch of us from church met at The Great Pumpkin Patch. Also, my cousins Nolan and Brianna were there the same day. Nolan stayed with Jared and I and Brianna was there with her softball team. We also had Xander and Hannah with us. Jared and I had a good laugh at Hannah's expense, I won't tell it on the world wide web, but just know it was too funny and even grossed Xander out! After the Pumpkin Patch, my cousin Dawn invited us to eat with Brianna's ball team at Stuart's parent's house where he was grilling. On the way there, Hannah had to "go" real bad, and bless her heart she had held it a long time already, and tried awfully hard to hold it til we got there, but finally blurted out that, "Sometimes my daddy lets me pee in the grass!" Let me just say that Josh does NOT go around letting Hannah pee outdoors! At any rate, we pulled the car over (she was moaning and trying real hard to hold it) at a woodsy area, stripped Hannah's bottoms off and let her pee in the grass! Nolan and Jared covered their eyes as we all were laughing hysterically! By the way, pam and Xander were in the other car and pulled over with us, Pam took pictures, but from a distance so Hannah is not indecently exposed! We had such a good time with all the kids!

October Fun!

It's A Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown...

Jennifer had the great idea of getting the little kids at church together for some Halloween fun! We met after morning worship for lunch at the church building. Mama made pizza crusts of all sizes so the kids could make their very own pizzas. We played games, ate, listened to Halloween music, had Halloween storytime, and watched, It's A Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. I had so much fun getting ready for this event! The kids wore me out, though! Xander came home with us so his family could be at the hospital (his mom had just been admitted the night before, stayed in ICU for over 3 weeks, and later passed away. Please pray for our friends, the Hosmers, Mrs. Linda was a good friend!)We always have a good time when Xander comes over, and have since deemed Sunday afternoons as Wii time (our Little man is addicted to video games :) Xander helped me decorate for Halloween and I had the best time with him! I love experiencing things through his eyes! He put Halloween cutouts all over our pantry door and dishwasher. Jared said I needed to take it down because it looked tacky, but I didn't want to cause I loved the way he displayed it all...it had a story behind it! The ghost was hidden behind the dishtowel, so "when Jared dries his hands, he'll scream 'Ahhh! A ghost'" The whole setup was cute, so Jared relented and left it up til Halloween!
Xander trying on the mullet wig!


Notice the Halloween decor!


Bathtime fun with Xander...
Another weekend Xander spent the night with us. I gave him a mohawk while he was taking a bath and he thought he was "So cool!" and yelled "Rock on!"

My 30th Birthday!

October 2, 2009:

We like to celebrate birthdays around here, for about a week! I love it! Last Saturday, we were in Brundidge. Mr. Harry and Mrs. Becky took us out to eat and gave me some gifts (a necklace and earring set that are so pretty and generous gift cards to Red Lobster and Wal-Mart.) Tuesday,we all went with dad to teach his Faulkner class and ate at Mellow Mushroom and played trivia. It wasn't for my birthday but it felt like it because we were all together. On Thursday, I came home from school and found a new pair of shoes on my dresser! Thanks Jared! I also received a card from my grandma in the mail! That night Jared took me out to eat at Chili's and bought me two shirts and a pair of pants. I love my hubby!
Friday morning I woke up like normal and got ready for work. I received two birthday texts, one from Pam and one from Rachel! I left for work. I pulled out of my driveway, drove around to the front of the house and saw this...





My friends and sister flamingoed (or pingoed, as Hannah called it) my yard the night before!
I pulled over, got out of the car to take pictures and I started laughing and crying at the same time! I felt so loved and lucky to have such good friends!

When I got to work, I got a phone call for Joseph! He sang happy birthday to me, but changed the words around to something like this:
"Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
My sister who inspired me to be a teacher,
And I love her so much!"
So I got teary eyed again!
So far being 30 was making me emotional!

Next, all my students came in and began handing me cards and gifts! One had her grandmother bake me a cake and my room mom brought us all cupcakes and even lit a candle for me to blow out! They were so excited! One of my favorites was a card made by a student. It was very pretty and well thought out. The front had she and I, colored brown. The inside another portrait of she and I colored white. Very funny! That afternoon she made me another card that was all stapled up on both sides. When I finally pried it open, out popped a mangled, but still covered in its original paper, bar of hotel soap!
I also received birthday texts from Kim and Paul!
My coworkers were going to cook me taco soup, but our principal decided to cook all of the teachers soup, ruining their surprise! It was nice of them to think of me! They also gave me a nice card with a gift card to Target inside!
That evening, we met several friends and family members at Cracker Barrel.
Today I had plans to go shopping with Katie and Hannah while Jared helped his brother and Jenny move to a new apartment. Jennifer came too and Pam was to meet us there at Target. We got to Target and received a call from Pam telling us she was hungry (she had run a 5k that morning) so we were gonna meet somewhere to eat. We left Target with me naming all the area restaurants. I thought it was strange neither Katie nor Jennifer would confirm a place to eat. Katie said she wanted to ride to downtown Trussville to see what was that way. As we drove, I named more restaurants that were down that way and even naming a place I had always wanted to try, The Chocolate Bisquit Tea Room. No one said anything and so we kept driving. Katie turned into The Chocolate Bisquit. I thought to myself, oh, their gonna eat here since I always say we should come here, probably because it was my birthday yesterday, but I never said anything or suspected anything either, for that matter! I called Pam and said we are eatting at The Chocolate Bisquit. I heard a lot of noise in the background and asked her where was she. She told me she was at Arby's and she would leave there and meet us at the tea room. We walked in and I fell in love, looking at the quaint restaurant, noting that Katie gave the hostess a look and said we are going to the back as the hostess just nodded, but I thought to myself, I missed her saying table for 4 because I was admiring the place! Anyhow, we walked to the back and there sat Pam (how did she get here so fast?) and...Kim..."Hey what is going on???" They said "Happy Birthday!" They wanted to make my 30th special! How sweet! Then my mama showed up! I thought she was at the camp yard sale!!!! Kim handed me a card from her and Rachel (Rachel had to work). It was my only 30th birthday card that actually said 30 on it AND it contained a promise of lunch and Painted By U with Kim and Rachel! Yay! Another place I've always wanted to go!!! I am the luckiest girl in the WORLD!!! After lunch it was back to shopping where mama got me a dress and gave me some money from she and dad! They had given me one present earlier this summer, some croc sandals, that I have been wearing all summer.
So, I've concluded that if being 30 means a fantastic, loving husband, a caring christian family, special sisters and friends in Christ, and great coworkers to interact with, then I'm gonna love it!
So, it's official, I'm thirty, flirty (well maybe not this one:) )and FABULOUS!