Bambi

The day after Christmas I woke up early and went on a shopping trip with some friends. We were in search of some good bargains. Found a few, but not many. David and the girls stayed home and started taking down the Christmas decorations. When I got home a little after lunch, the girls were begging to go mud riding on the 4-wheeler. So around 3:00 we got dressed in some old clothes and headed out to the fields. David grabs his gun and said,"I just know we are going to see a deer." I thought "Yeah, as excited as Bailey and Payton are, you really think they are going to be quiet enough to see a deer." At around almost dark we pulled into a little spot and about 2 minutes of sitting there, we see a deer, and it just happened to be Bambi. She was looking straight at us, so of course David couldn't wait for the "big one" to come out, cause the girls were a little tired of being quiet!! It was a fun ride home with an extra passenger. But we sure are going to have some good meals in the weeks to come.

Christmas Fun!!!!

Such a busy Christmas week. Santa of course was way to good to the girls, but Christmas morning was such much fun!!! We then were off to my mom's and had Christmas with my family. The afternoon ended with a family trip to Oxford with cousins. We have so many things to be thankful for this holiday season and I have been so blessed with family and friends to spend the holidays with. I must admit I am ready to get back to a little routine in my life. I do enjoy the busy times, but I really love the routine life.

Christmas at Nanny and Papaw Richs'

Oh, how fun was Christmas Eve-Eve!!! Each year on the 23rd (which is David's birthday also) we have Christmas with David's family. Each year it seems to get bigger, next year we will add one more. The kids are in full swing and having a ball. We grilled steaks out and even had a birthday cake for David. The adults played dirty santa and the kids opened several gifts. Then we spend about 30 minutes making sure that we get all the photos taken that we need to.

Here Comes Santa!!!

May your Christmas Holiday be filled with Blessings from Above!!! Hope Santa is good to you and your family!!!

Ready for Christmas

Singing at the Christmas Program at Church

Bailey and Tristan at the bowling alley

Bailey and Payton with Papaw Jay

David and Chris and their dad


Christmas has been BUSY,BUSY, BUSY!!!! Between parties, shopping, baking and wrapping presents---I am ready for some quiet time!!! Do you think I will get that anytime soon? We have been in full Christmas mode this past week. Bailey had a dirty santa ornament swap with several of her friends the other night, we took Bailey and her 'boyfriend' Tristan to eat and bowling. They exchanged presents and had so much fun, of course Payton tagged along with us. We had the children's Christmas program Sunday night at church. They did GREAT and even had a visit from Santa. We had David's dad over for supper last night and spent some time with him. The girls are waiting for Santa and the excitement is building at our house---YOU BETTER WATCH OUT!!!!

Pajama Fun

Each Christmas I buy Bailey and Payton new Christmas Pajamas to take pictures in front of our tree for Christmas Cards. Of course this year we used Disney pictures for our family Christmas cards. But I still had to take some photos of Bailey and Payton in their PJ's. Bailey is getting a little too old for these photos, but she went ahead and did them, only because they weren't being used for Christmas Cards. I guess next year I will have to think of something different for our cards, I did use a beach photo one year, maybe that will work for next year.

Christmas Parade Fun

The church put a float in the Christmas Parade this year, and we have a great time. We even had a Jesus with an Ole Miss ear wrap. I asked the girls after the parade if the liked watching the parade or being in the parade better. Of course the Yelled---BEING IN THE PARADE!!! It was really cold this morning but we bundled up and by the end of the day, we were shedding some clothes. Bailey was Mary and Payton was a shepard. We saw alot of friends along the parade route and the girls made a great memory of the Christmas season. Thanks Ms. B for all your hard work in getting the float together, it looked great!!!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas

The girls have been begging to put up our Christmas tree. We always put it up the day after Thanksgiving, but since I was in Atlanta it took a little while longer. We started Sunday when I got home and finally finished. I decided to let the girls have their own trees in their room this year--instead of putting their ornaments on a tree in the sunroom. They were so excited!! Each year they get to pick out an ornament they like, this year they got ornaments from Disney--Payton had Mickey playing soccer and Bailey had Minnie as a cheerleader. They were hardly concerned with decorating our big tree, but they finally decided to help just a little. Since I shopped in Atlanta this past weekend, we even have presents under the tree!! The Christmas spirit is in the air at our home.

Operation Christmas Child

What a great way to start off the holiday season. I went to Atlanta this past weekend with 8 girls from my church to work at the Operation Christmas Child warehouse. We worked on the shoeboxes that different groups had sent in to send to children in different countries. In Atlanta the shoeboxes are going to India and two countries in Africia. Having a part in knowing that your hands have helped in making a child's Christmas is such a rewarding blessing. It really makes you realize just how blessed you are. My girls have more than they can imagine. We are just trying to think of things to get them for Christmas and these children in these countries are excited over toothpaste and a bar of soap. We also spent the weekend Christmas shopping and went to see the movie "Four Christmases"----GREAT movie. We laughed until we cried. We all enjoyed the weekend and received such a blessing in what we did.

Another Thanksgivng Meal

We ended Thanksgiving with another meal. My family came to my house and we had a great night. The kids played outside and then were made to come in when we realized around 8:00 they were still outside and one had no shoes on. They even calmed down for a little while and watched some of Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. Memories! Memories! Memories! The meal was great and the famiy time was even better. Now we get in Christmas mode.

Memories of Turkey Day

The girls woke up early this morning excited that it was Turkey Day. Growing up I can remember every year my grandfather "Pappy", calling bright and early and reminding us to get up and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. So my girls were in full swing to watch the parade. As they are getting ready for the parade to begin, David and I are preparing our family Thanksgiving meal, around 5:00 my house will be full with around 25 people. My mom and Aunt San prepared our Thanksgiving meal for years. They would stay up all night, ALL night-- and have a great meal prepared around 11:30 each Thanksgiving. A couple of years ago, my cousins and I decided it was time for us to take over the duties of cooking Thanksgiving dinner after Aunt San fell in the kitchen while taking the dressing out of the oven. So this is my year. We are having supper instead of dinner, since my newlywed brother is in Jackson with his new family; for lunch and will arrive here around 5:00. Looking forward to a great night.

Happy Thanksgiving

We started Thanksgiving meals last night. We had dinner with David's family. I was blessed to marry someone who our families do not do holiday celebrations on the same day. That way we never had to decide where we were going. We had so much food! Of course everyone was sitting around wondering why they ate so much, knowing we were all going to do the same thing again on Thanksgiving Day. The kids played in their new playroom they have added in a spare room at Nanny's this week. Thanksgiving Blessings are all around our family.

Make a Smilebox greeting

Fun in the Leaves

After being inside all day Saturday---I had to pick Bailey up from school early on Friday and she had strep; the girls were ready to get out of the house after church on Sunday. Every fall we enjoy playing in the leaves, Sunday afternoon was the perfect day. David pilled a huge pile of leaves in the back yard and the FUN began. We buried each other in the pile and Bailey and Payton had fun jumping in the leaf pile. What a great way to start Thanksgiving week off, spending a fun afternoon with one of the things that I am so thankful for----MY FAMILY!!!!

Happy Birthday Payton!!!!

I can't believe Payton is already 6 years old. Boy, where did all those years go? It just seems like yesterday that I was holding you in my arms and singing "You are my sunshine", to rock you to sleep. You have grown way toooo fast for me. I can't keep up with how fast the years are going. We had a great afternoon today, we went and surprised Payton with a big girl bike. Now we have the fun task of teaching her to ride it---Get ready Daddy. Then we had a family supper at The Grill (Payton's choice). If I blink my eyes Payton's sixth year will be over before I know it. Happy Birthday Payton--I love you, sunshine!!!!

A Flip-Flopping Birthday Party!!!!

Payton had her 6th birthday party a week early this year. It was at Flip-Flop Gymnastic's: and we all had a flip-flopping GOOD time!! Payton woke up Saturday morning so excited and we stayed in that gear all day. She got some nice gifts and I think I need to borrow some money from her. She kept asking all day what mom and dad were giving her, we have to save something for her actually birthday, the 14th, so it will be a surprise until then. I think we will be in party mode all week at our house. We ended Saturday night at the movies with Aunt Lorlee, Mason and Wesley, seeing Madagascar 2.

Hayride Fun

We went on a hayride with some friends and family on Saturday night. We all had a great time. It wasn't real cold (by looking at the photo of David you would think it was snowing) and the girls roasted hot dogs and marshmellows. This has been a busy fall season, but we have made some great memories with the girls. The holiday season is all about being with friends and family. I know that we are so blessed to have both that we can enjoy being around. As I sit and type this; I am listening to Natalie Grant "Live 4 Today", such words of truth---count every single blessing, follow it in your way, live like there is no tomorrow, my future is in tact, my crazy life has got me spinning round and round---but holding His hand all the way. In this busy life that we lead those are words to remember.

Pumpkins and Treats!!!

What a fun night of Halloween! The girls wore their costumes to school for the AR parade. Luckily both of their costumes were people in books. Bailey was the scarecrow from 'The Wizard of Oz' and Payton was the Pirate from 'How I Became a Pirate'. We started the afternoon out by finally carving our pumpkins. For weeks the girls have been begging to carve their pumpkins. We have just been so busy that we waited until the last minutes. But the girls were glad that we finally got to carve their pumpkins. We started the night off by going to the church for 'Trunk or Treat'. It was so much fun and the girls got so much candy, hopefully I can get rid of some of it, before we are all on a sugar high around here. We ended the night with a hayride to Ms. Maxine's park for a hot dog roast and just some great time with friends. The girls finally crashed around 10:30 and David and I enjoyed watching a movie to put and end to Halloween 2008.

Gatlinbug Gang

What a great weekend!! For the past 4 years we have enjoyed great friendship and fun times in Gatlinburg. We couples enjoy just relaxing, shopping, eating and spending time with friends and our spouses. Every year around this time of year we find sitters for our children and head out to the beautiful scenery of Gatlinburg. This year was perfect. The leaves were at their peak and we couldn't have asked for a better cabin. We enjoyed a home entertainment room, pool table, air hockey and some great grillin from the guys. The guys enjoyed some Saturday football games and the girls went and cried at the movie "Night in Rodanthe." We took some photos in Cades Cove--Brad/Melissa, Chris/Lorrie,Keith/Molly, David and I/ Rodney/Amy. Can't wait til same time next year.

Ready for Halloween

We went with our church to the Circle Y Pumpkin Patch Saturday morning. The girls had so much fun. They did everything from playing putt-putt golf, feeding the catfish, went to the petting zoo and picked out a pumpkin. The weather was PERFECT and the night got topped off with Bailey going to a friend's Halloween Costume Party. She won the costume contest. I was glad since she really didn't want to go as a scarecrow--"Mom I look so silly." those were her words before she left and then she was so excited when I picked her up. "Mom I won the costume contest, thanks for letting me go as a scarecrow!!!!" Boy how that attitude changed.

Halloween Time!!!!

This past Saturday my cousin Tracie has her annual Halloween Party in Oxford. The kids went on a haunted trail, heard a ghost story and roasted marshmellows and hot dogs. They had so much fun. All of Mamaw Di's grandkids had their picture made with the "Eli Scarecrow."

Bailey's New Style

Bailey has been "BEGGING" me for months to get her hair cut short. I never gave in because it was so easy for those days when you needed a pony tail hair style. I finally gave in. This morning we went to see Ms. Angela and Bailey wanted almost 6 inches cut off her hair---I must say I love it!!! She is so proud of it.

Walking for a Cause!!!!!

Saturday October 4th was the 4th annual Cystic Fibrosis Walking for a cure. It was a perfect day to raise money for a great cause. Some dear friends of ours, Clay and Lanell Anthony have a son, Haddon who has CF. Haddon is the most outgoing, funloving child you could ever ask to be around. We spent 8 days with The Anthony's in Disney. They are more than friends; they are family. The final total is not yet in, but we believe it will be around $32,000. WOW!!!!! This year the walk had a little more meaning to me, I lost a great friend of mine from college to CF just this past month. Missy Sappington was 40 years old and lived life to the fullest!!!! Miss ya Sapp!!! Make sure to remember the CF walk will be around October 2009 and the more awareness we have out there about the walk the better it will be.

Busy! Busy! Busy!

It's that time of year, AGAIN!! The busy schedule of two girls involved in extra activites. Payton has started soccer on Tuesday and Thursday. She is going to be a great player. She likes the idea of going after something and trying to get it without someone telling her she has to share. Right up her game plan. Bailey has started cheering for the 5th and 6th grade football team at Mooreville. She cheers on Thursday and Saturday. This is right up her game plan, being loud and showing off. Even though life seems very busy right now, we are enjoying seeing Bailey and Payton enjoy what they love doing. I hope you enjoy a few captured moments of their recent games.

A great date

Everyone needs to check out the movie "Fireproof". David and I enjoyed a Sunday afternoon date and went to see this great movie. You will laugh, cry and enjoy some time needed with your spouse. I could have sat through the movie for a second time. You can see about the movie at www.fireproofthemovie.com. It will be a movie you will enjoy and want to see again.

Making Memories

Home Sweet Home!!! The week at Disney as my girls put it was "AWESOME!!!!!" It was a trip of a lifetime. The weather, friends, food and memories will be cherished for a lifetime. We still are in recovery mode around here and haven't caught up on lack of rest, but it was worth it. Yes, at the end of the day there was a few tears shed from Bailey and Payton, and mom and dad's nerves were a little short, but we all crashed for the night and started again the next day. I am sharing a few of the 2000 pictures that were taken and I hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed making them.

DISNEY BOUND!!!!!

We are on Disney countdown this weekend at The Gillentine House!!! Bailey and Payton are so excited. And I guess you could say that David and I are pretty excited also. We will leave early, early Monday morning to catch our plane in Memphis and should be in Orlando and at Epcot by 1:00pm. Pray that we have a safe flight, (it will be Payton and Mamaw Di's first time in an airplane) and the weather holds off any hurricanes that might come our way. We will enjoy a full 8 days in the Happiest Place on earth. I will add pictures for everyone to enjoy and soon as we return. I hope each of you have a good week.

Welcome!

Welcome to the new blog of the Gillentine Family! Please check back soon for updates...