Wells Family Christmas

This Christmas with my Dad's family was really special, all 4 (3 and under!) grandaughters were there together, my step sister and her husband have been working in Montana for MONTHS so I had only met my little neice Charleigh once, and they had never met Kate. (On a side note, if you have ever wanted to travel to Montana, talk to them first, they will be sure and talk you out of it!!)

I had high hopes of getting a good picture of all 4 of the girls, I should have known better. With 4 that little one is always sleeping...


We traveled in a week before Christmas for my little cousin's wedding. This is the ONLY picture I got. Little Kate was not having much luck being quiet and still so I basically spent the ceremony holding her in the back of the church. It was a beautiful wedding.
This is my Dad with my two girls.

Layla and Blake on Nana's bed watching TV

Blake got a big girl Dora bike and LOVES riding it! A little scary for me (and yes I really do make her wear a helmet)

Charleigh Anne

Bryan, Charleigh and Stephanie

Charleigh and Kate, Kate is 5 months younger but every bit as big as Charleigh!

So sweet.

Charleigh is a Papaw's girl.


Kate checking out Santa.

Opening LOTS of presents. They were wrapping paper coordinated to each girl's favorite cartoon character :)

Heather and Layla.

Me and Kate

I also have long video of the girls opening presents, but decided to spare you unless someone (i.e. grandparents) really wants to see it.

(I still need to blog about my Mom's Christmas, just bear with me, there are TONS of pictures to go through!)

Memory Verses

We have been practicing memory verses in our house. Here is what we've learned so far! Sorry for my baratone voice, I have a head cold. (even this morning while talking to my neice on the phone she asked if I was Uncle Nick, HA!)

And yes, the video says it but Kate got two teeth yesterday!!

I love Beth Moore,
Here is a quote from a book of hers I'm reading:

"Sometimes life offers me such a monumentally irresistible opportunity to act like an idiot that I cave."


Can you relate? I can. Thank you Jesus for your Mercy!!

Happy 9 Months Kate!

Kate is 9 months old today.
She is such a big girl. She can crawl, climb stairs take a few little steps on her own, eat just about anything that can be gummed (still no teeth), clap, and say "mamamamama".

She is constantly on the move, her favorite thing right now is to climb the stairs and tackle Bubba (our dog). She likes all the food she's ever had, but really enjoys pancakes, eggs, and bananas.

Here are a few pictures I took while we were in Arkansas.

Did you hear that, did ya, did ya ???

and now a little sister love.

Barker Family Christmas

Every year Nick's Aunt Gay hosts a BIG Christmas party. There are tons of family and friends. We've missed it the last few years but were lucky enough to make it this year.



Below is Nicks Dad (far left), then Uncle Darrell and Aunt Debbie.



Me and my mini me

Daddy and Blake

Our sister in law Paige with her boys Charlie and Will. Such handsome boys!

The BIG event is Santa Clause coming to visit the kids. Santa's beard/hair were a little out of control! Anyhoo, Kate meeting Santa...

Charlie gets his picture in the blog because he's sitting with Santa when Santa happened to throw a peace sign...maybe because underneath it all this was a young/hip Santa.

Sweet Kelly with Santa.

I LOVE this picture. There are so, so many girls in our family and BOY do they love a baby! Kate was the center of all attention :) Blake stayed up later than she ever has playing with all the cousins and friends around.

Blake meeting Santa for the first time.

Our sweet cousin Lauren, she sure loved baby Kate!

Grammie and Kate.

I wish we could be there every year, it's so fun to have so much family in one place! Thanks Aunt Gay for putting in all together.

Lane Turns 3

Blake's BFF Lane turned three this month, we always love a good party, especially when it's for LANE!

Having cupcakes

Opening presents!

Kate and Jennie

Blake rocking out...sort of.

My girls.

Blake wrestling Kate....this happens about 20 times a day at our house. It's all in love...but Kate gets tired of it sometimes.

Lane LOVES Nick. He's kid magnet.

Happy Birthday Lane!!

Yes Ma'am

We know you are adorable,

and funny,
and silly,
we know, we know.

The Meaning of Christmas

of course...is Christ, and to give as He gave to us.

Adoption has a special place in my heart, so when I ran across this blog I had to share.
Check out the raffle going on at:

http://cheathamchat.blogspot.com/

and donate as little as $10 to enter a raffle for an IPAD!

Go, donate, show Christ's love...it's ours to share!

Love,
Sarah

Pancake Mornings

To be a true Barker, it is a requirement that you LOVE pancakes. So we were relieved to know Kate fits in perfectly. When I am off on Saturdays it is a given that we will eat at Joe's Coffee shop and have pancakes (usually accompanied by our buddies the Finchers.)

I love all pancakes, but this recipe (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Oatmeal-and-Applesauce-Pancakes/Detail.aspx) is my favorite, it has fruit and oatmeal so you feel a little better about the nutrition and it's still SO yummy. They also freeze really well so don't be afraid to whip up an extra batch just to keep on hand for breakfast or snacks.


Kate enjoying her first pancake.






Blake loves to help mix them up,and for a picky eater she will always eat two or three of these.
My BIG helper.

Kate decided to celebrate with a little standing!!!! Can you believe her?

Happy 8 Months!

Happy 8 Months Kate (aka: Kay-doh, Kater-Kate, Katie Macaroni, Kathryn Bailey)

You sure a one amazing girl!!

The Big Red Pot - Serving Up More Than Just A Good Meal!: $50 Nordstrom Rack Gift Certificate for $25!

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The Big Red Pot - Serving Up More Than Just A Good Meal!: FREE Thanksgiving Cards through 11/19!!

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November 13, 2010
My crazy, fun, 3 year old Blake. Today you turn 3 years old. We had a Dora themed birthday party for you at a nearby park. All your best friends were there (Lexi, Lane, Claire, Luke, Griffin, Bri). You had SO much fun. I’ll say it again, I can’t believe you are three. You have changed SO much this year. You are a better big sister than I could have dreamed. You love your little Kater more than anything. The other day at church a woman asked if I could help her with her grandaughter’s carseat, so I had her hold Kate for just a second. You were so sad because you thought she was taking Kate with her. You are the first to let me know she is crying or she wants a bottle. You both light up each time you see each other. I pray that this love you two share will continue and grow as you both grow older. What a gift God has given each of you with a sister.

I think you are really starting to understand why we love Jesus in our house. We had a special children’s offering at church this week. You saved up change in a milk jug (aka Jesus Jug) and took it to the front of the church as an offering. Daddy and I were so proud of you. Then this past week you’ve re-inacted that scene over and over in pretend fashion. I hope you always have a heart that wants to give to our Jesus and the people he loves.

Some things you enjoy right now are: PLAYDOH!!! You would play all day every day. Your favorite is for me or Daddy to sit down and play playdoh with you (though we have to try to keep Kate from eating it!)

You love our neighbor, Vern. For some reason you call him “Bern”, pronouncing your “V” with a “B”. He has a cat, Chevy, that you call “Cheby”. You mostly love Vern because he brings you a bag of sugary candy every time he sees you!

You know almost all of your ABC’s by sight. You know how to spell your name and it’s so funny because you think everywhere there is a “B” like on a billboard or sign that it is for your name. You yell out “Hey MOMMY, look it’s a “B” for me!!”

You LOVE to talk. There is never a dull moment in our house because you fill it with your entertaining commentary.

You go to the preschool at church two days a week. You get to learn so many new things and do fun crafts.

Your favorite show right now is the Little Rascals, you love getting to watch a few minutes before you go to bed each night. And of course you are still a Dora fan.
Your favorite food by far is peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches.
Even at three years old you love all things Drama  . If anyone around you is talking about someone getting in trouble you want to know ALL about it. Then bring it up in conversation for weeks.

My prayer for you is that you grow up knowing our Lord Jesus. I strive to set an example for you and show you every day what it means to live with love in your heart. I pray you would always be amazed at what HE has done for you and how much he has provided for you. I am not always a perfect Mom. I hope you forgive where I need it. But I love you more than life itself…and I will always do all I can for you.

I love you my sweet, crazy three year old.
Love,
Mommy

Blake's 3rd Birthday Bash

Our BIG girl had a fantastic time celebrating turning 3 on Saturday! The first picture shows what I should have seen coming, a cold that became worse and worse as Sunday went by.

Nana and PaPaw enjoying holding Kate.

Mommy and the Birthday girl

Having fun with Lexi and Brooklyn

Griffin playing pin the tail on Swiper...and poor Lane, she eventually cheered up.

Cousins having fun

Lexi Renee

Papaw and Kate

My adorable husbad with Lexi and Blake

Bri was a good sport :)

Kate and Mitzi Rae swinging.

I love this picture...Luke is never short on ladies :)

Thanks to everyone who was able to make it..I'm always blown away by our friends' and family and their generosity. Blake is one LUCKY girl to have all you guys in her life!