Kinney Christmas Eve 2010

My cousin Lauren Rose and I
My brother Shane and nephew Drake

Devin and Bailey, I think Bailey looks just like him

Uncle David wouldn't smile for me!!

time for presents!!

The first Christmas without my Grandmother was not an easy one for anyone in our family. Communion was the worst, she was the backbone of our family and not only kept us all on straight but together as one. What a blessing it was to be at communion and partake in the Lord's supper on Christmas Eve and though the tears fell, we knew we were where we were supposed to be.

Christmas Cookies

Time to make Christmas cookies for Santa! Brent went to Granny and Papa's to spend time with them, so he missed out on making cookies but he made plenty of Christmas goodies with Granny.

Christmas 2010 with Memaw & Honey

Christmas Eve before going to communion we had Christmas at memaw & honey's with Uncle Shane & Aunt Felecia and all the cousins. Sadly Madison had the flu and had to stay home in the bed.

Howard Family Christmas 2010

Brie & Isa

Granny checking out their boots

New boots to ride Rocky!

Thursday night we had Christmas at Nana & Big Daddy's. Kids were super excited for this was their first place to be able to open any presents!

We love ice skating!

School is out for Christmas and ice skating is ON! We had fun with our friends the Roe's and Lea's while on Christmas break.

Hockey Game

After a full day of fun at the Zoo and Ice Skating, our next adventure was to take the kids to their first hockey game along with Jack Bailey. They had a great time!

Brie

red nose from being Rudolph at school today!

This girl, Brieanna Renee is so funny. Her personality keeps growing as she is almost 6 years old! She loves to take pictures so every morning she would grab the camera and search the house for Ooddle (the elf on the shelf) and take a picture of his new place.

Ice Skating

For our first day of Thanksgiving Break I took the kids ice skating and we met the Roe's down there for a fun afternoon at the zoo. My legs are a little tired and sore from all the skating, but the kids had a great time. They were a little wet when we left, but quickly dried since it was 75 degrees... who would have thought it would be 75 3 days before Thanksgiving? There were lots of falls, but for the most part they quickly got the hang of it and were skating so good. I, however, took it slow. That fearless child in me has long gone, but my kids are still very fearless!

A special lady

Words can not even begin to describe how special my grandmother was to me and my family. As long as I can remember my grandmother has always been there. While my mom worked, she cared for me and my cousins. We celebrated birthdays and holidays as a family. Family was everything to my grandmother.

I will miss our weekly chats, our afternoon talks on your porch, our many trips to the flea market and shopping, our annual trips to the lake, and so many other things. You have taught to me to cherish family and never take them for granted, and I have just been reminded of that.

At some point, I knew this time would have to come... however I never expected it to be so soon. I'm sure spending your 78th birthday in the hospital wasn't much fun, but I'm glad I was able to wish you one last happy birthday...

Saying goodbye to you was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life. I think I have still been in shock the entire past week. I don't want to talk about it, and don't even want anyone hugging me and trying to show their concern.. I just don't want to think about it. I know that is not how you deal, but that is easiest for me right now. But... how lucky were we to actually be able to say goodbye? People did without saying goodbye everyday, and you actually were able to talk to all 6 of your children and 8 of the 10 grandchildren... and we know you so tried to hang on and wait for Misty and TD to travel here. It was hard, but I am glad that I got to tell you goodbye, I will never forget your words to me. I will always take care of my children and love them unconditionally as you reminded me and I know you were tired and not giving up. We just didn't want to let you go.

I know that Heaven is such a happy place for you right now and what a joy it must be to be reunited with Paw and OMG... to see our Lord.....

It's time for school!

I can't believe that Brieanna has started to Kindergarten, with a few tears shed we made it through the first day. It's also very hard to believe I also have a 4th and 5th grader! Brent & Bailey were just as excited to go back to school as Brie was to start!

They all got great teachers too! Brent got Mrs. Ginger Childress, Bailey has Ms. Tomika Poindexter, and Brie has Mrs. Jamie Hodge!

Brent & Bailey's Birthday party

Brent's cake

Bailey's cake

For the 2nd year in a row, the boys decided they wanted to have their birthday parties together again at the Thorton pool. I actually think that it is so much easier to have one big birthday party together since their birthday's are only 1 month apart and they share many of the same friends. There's nothing like a bunch of wild boys!

Son, you outgrew my lap, but never my heart. ~Arthur unknown