Dedication to Beloved Stellar Stovall

We got terrible news mid morning Christmas eve. Our Labrador Retriever, Stellar, died during surgery. He had not been eating the past few days. We knew he had swallowed something he should not have ans suspected it to be a small part of a towel. Everyone who knows Stellar knows that this is not uncommon. The vet picked him up Thursday morning and called around 9 am to tell us they needed to surgically remove the towel. Unfortunately the vet did not realize the extent of the damage until he got inside. His organs were to badly damaged. Poor guy. We were heartbroken when we got the news, of course. John and I got Stellar before we were married so he has been through it all with us! We know that he is somehere over the rainbow playing with his best friend, Campbell! Here are a few of my favorite pics of Stellar over the past 8.5 years! Rest in peace, good boy!

Christmas time is here!!

Christmas time has arrived, of course! We have been celebrating non stop for since Friday! We have had Christmas at MeMa'S in Manchester, my mom's house, my aunt Crea's house and we will celebrate as a family tonight after church! The kids have had blast seeing all of our family and they have LOVED opening gifts! Abby LOVES pushing her dolls (thanks BeBe)and her Wilber (thanks KiKi) around in her new stroller (thanks Crea!). Jack just loves all his new trucks and pirates! Most of all he has LOVED hanging out so much with his cousin, Will! He is really looking forward to spending the night with Will at BeBe's next week! Here are some cute pics from the parties! One of my favorite pics recently is the one of Jack and Abby hiding under my desk getting the chocolate out of their advent calenders! Abby had just covered herself and John with sponge bob stickers. Too cute! Enjoy!

Jack visits SANTA!!!

Today Jack and I had a date! We took Abby to school at lunch time and we went to visit Santa first! I really wish Abby could have gone with us but she is TERRIFIED of Santa! I did not want to torture her! We figured she would be happier playing with her friends and napping! Anyway, Jack LOVED seeing the jolly old man with the red hat! He told him that he wanted Darth Vader and "3CPO". Then he told Santa to bring Abby a doll! I thought it was so sweet that he was looking after his sister like that! After our visit we went to lunch and to see Madagascar 2. It was a fun filled afternoon. Tomorrow I have to tie up all my loose ends and finish any shopping. Thursday I plan to take the kiddos somewhere fun! Maybe to paint pottery (as we need to make a gift there). This weekend the family celebrations begin!!! Merry Christmas to all!

Jack's Church Christmas Program

Jack played a shepard this year in Franklin United Methodist church's Christmas program! He did GREAT! He nailed his line! We were so proud! Here are a few shots from the afternoon!

LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW!

So we had snow at our house last week. It was the night of Jack's program at his school. I am sad to say I did not get any photgraphs at his school program b/c I was busy taping the show while John entertained Abby! He did a great job and was the loudest singer of the group FOR SURE! He is my little entertainer! Here are a few pics from that snowy day!

Thanksgiving at the beach!

We spent the entire week of Thanksgiving at the beach! We had a really nice, laid back vacation! We were up every morning bright and early (thanks to Abby who for some reason was eager to get up around 5:30 every morning). The morning were cool but around mid day it was warm enough for swimsuits!! Jack and John even swam in the ocean! The Sielbecks and Grandmother styed right next door to us! It was so fun to hang out with them! Thanksgiving day was the warmest day so we spent the day on the beach and ate dinner around 6 PM! Crea, Alan and gradmother made a delicious, traditional Thanksgiving dinner! Jack was VERY sad to leave but we told him that we had to get back to put up our Christmas tree so Santa would come! He was happy with that but he has already mentioned that after Christmas is over we need to go back to the beach! Enjoy the pics!