We always enjoy kicking off the Christmas season

with a brunch at Aunt Carol's.

All of Bowdie's dad's side of the family is there,

as well as some extended family of Aunt Carol's as well.

This has been a difficult year, 

with the passing of 2 of the family members -

both completely unexpected.

That just further confirms, for me, the importance of days like these.

I'm glad that the first Saturday of December is reserved for this gathering!

Love this family shot!

That's one happy mama in this picture!

(and daddy too!)

Aunt Carol and the boys ...

We went to see Whitney's horses.

This is Tex.

Whitney saddled him up so the boys could ride.

Jarrett was first ...

then Blaine ...

(Jacob didn't even come - he stayed home with Grandmama & Aunt Carol.

He's a smart little cookie!)

Whitney & her little girl, Aubrey.

This picture proves how absolutely smitten Bowdie would be if we'd had a girl.

Mush, I tell you!

Thanks to Jarrett for taking this picture.

He did a GREAT job!

Christmas Kick-Off!

I love Christmas.

I mean, L-O-V-E it.

Family, friends, food, fellowship.

Decorations, lights, trees, music.

All of it.

But especially things we do every year.

Traditions.

Our kick-off for the Season

usually starts at my aunt-in-law's home.

Yummy brunch with family and friends.

A time to catch up with ones 

we don't see very often.

This year, the kick-off also

started with Bowdie (aka Pancake Daddy)

making 400+ flapjacks for the families at Mulberry.

This was something new.

Bowdie jumped in with both feet, 

or I guess (pancake) flippers!

All in all, it was a wonderful day.

And a wonderful way to start

the celebration of Christ's birth!

Pancake Daddy + 2 griddles = LOTS of pancakes!

Bowdie is very particular about his pancake 'tools' ... 

the one on the left is his -

the one on the right is the cafeteria's.

We definitely needed the larger one because ...

... this is the HUGE bowl of batter that

the cafeteria manager graciously mixed up

to help Bowdie!  So thankful for her sweet

spirit and willingness to help!

J-man enjoying goodies ...

Blaine-o eating his mini-brownie, 

decorated with LOTS of sprinkles ...

Jacob decorating his brownie bite ...

And there's Santa himself!

Jacob and his buddy Nicholas ...

Blaine's teacher, Mrs. Medders, with her little girl ...

G and Olivia ...

The Studle family at Aunt Carol's ...

Ryan, Whitney, Aubrey (in utero), Blake, Debbie and Charles 

The Smith family

Cindy, Amber and Ray

Aunt Carol and Cindy

(who is like an aunt, but not

blood related ...)

And all the kiddos having fun on

Aunt Carol's golf cart.

I just love the legs hanging out the back.

It was cold, so they had the plastic

all zipped up!

**My camera battery died before getting

pics of our family & Bowdie's parents.

Photographer FAIL!**