Merry Christmas

Katie and Ben had a great Christmas!!

Opening Stockings on Christmas Eve.

Decorating cookies for Santa.

Ben got rocket!!!

Is that me on the TV?? Katie got her star station so now she can watch herself sing and dance!

Baking with Mimi

Katie making cookis for Santa

Ben, Katie and Mimi... Yes, that is Ben in his diaper with a cowboy hat.

Santa Comes to Bama EARLY

Since we are traveling to Texas this year for the Holidays, Katie wrote a letter to Santa requesting that he send any big toys early. (only if she was being good!) Today, Santa came while Katie was at school!!! She was shocked to find a note from Santa taped to the front door and inside her Disney Princess Bike and big building blocks for Ben. She could not imagine how Santa did it!!! Ben was sooo excited and all he could say was "mines" when he saw his blocks! We decided to give them a couple of other bigger toys from mama and daddy as well.

Katie and her new bike!

"MINES!"

Mama and the kids!

A visit with Grandmama

Katie and Ben had a great visit with Grandmama and loved all the great things she brought for them. It is always so great to see her and Harold.

Katie loved her dress up clothes!

Ben loved his new police car!

Christmas Picture Out-takes

Why is taking Christmas pictures so stressful? Hee Hee! We did manage to get some we could actually use!!! Here was a cute one we did not use!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Gobble, Gobble!

We had a great Thanksgiving but deeply missed being with extended family!!! Here are some pictures of the "Feast"! While Mommy and Ben took a nap, Katie and Daddy put lights on the big tree outside...

Yummy turkey!

Say Cheese,, Ben!

Our tree out back with color lights!

Ben is ready for Christmas!!

Thanksgiving Prep

Almost every year Craig smokes a turkey for Thanksgiving. This year it was only going to be the four of since Craig had to travel to a football game both Friday and Saturday. We had a great relaxing day and I actually cooked!!! and it was pretty good!!! Here a few pictures of Katie's adventure in the woods get hickory for the smoker. She had a great time with daddy!!

The Drive to our Neighborhood

Everyday I drive the same road to and from school. During the fall it is just plan gorgeous. The leaves are in full color. As I drove home today I took pictures, yes as I drove,,, not very safe,eh? I know mom... not a very wise thing to do but the pictures turned out great. This is the road that leads to our neighborhood.

A Visit With Ho-Ho (aka Santa)

Every year at our neighborhood clubhouse called The Farmhouse, Santa comes and visit. This is always a great chance to get free pictures without any wait like at the mall. But of course that is only if you children cooperate. Katie was very excited and went right to him telling him all that she wished to get at Christmas but Ben.... No Way... He passed on that whole experience. He did let "Brown" his best buddy, the dog, see Santa and so I managed to get a few pics of Ben getting Brown back. Katie also got her face painted like a butterfly by Snuggles the clown.

Happy Halloween!

We survived another crazy Halloween. This year our church had their fall festival which worked great for us since my kids are scared of everything! Also, Ben was sick with a nasty cold and was not in the world's best mood. He got better as the night went on. We did not get back until after 9:00! Katie was Minnie Mouse complete with fake eyelashes and Ben was supposed to be a scarecrow but the "hay" was immediately torn out so he was basically a farmer or as Craig referred to him ..a redneck! HA!

Not feeling to great about Halloween or his outfit

Minnie Mouse

Now Ben is ready for some fun and Katie has been ready all day!

The "Crew"... our annual Halloween picture. Carter, Charlie, Katie and Ben and Ryan... with me who had to hold Ben!

Katie's Farm trip

Katie and Craig spent a day at Old Baker's farm with Katie's class. It was a pretty chilly day but I think they had a great time... Craig just loved eating lunch in the Barn! Ha!! I am also putting some pictures of Ben and Katie before we went to church. I was late and rushing around the house like a mad woman (Craig had not gotten back from his trip yet) and of course I had to stop and take a picture of Ben looking like a big boy and Katie standing perfectly for her picture to be taken!

A Day at the Park

Ben Sliding!



Mama and Katie

Since Craig was home this weekend, we decided to take advantage of the nice weather and go to the park at Mt. Laurel. Ben and Katie had a great time!

Friday Night Football

We took Katie to her first high school football game!
Spain Park vs Oak Mountain

She had a blast with her friend Charlie! Go Spain Park Jags... this is where Katie will eventually go to high school.

It's a hard job...but someone has to do it!

The Auburn Bench during the Auburn/Arkansas game

LSU/Florida game...nice view!

Auburn/Vandy game

While Jen is at home keeping the kids... Craig is hard at work... Above are some views from where Craig stands! Nice! Fall is a very hectic and tiring time on us all! Especially on Craig as he travels long distances and gets little sleep! But being able to be at the LSU/Florida game or watching his alma mater play is not a bad job! (WAR EAGLE!)

Hey All!

We have created this blog to keep up with friends and family far away and close by! We hope to keep in touch with everyone we love and cherish. Our life, like everyone else's, is crazy and hectic. With a five year old and a 2 year old it is never a dull moment at the Mattox House.