Blog Catch Up....

I realized after backing up my phone pictures and camera pictures, I'm behind on blogging.  So, here goes a catch up blog to scrapbook later!

Playing Cards with Kingston 10.23.16

We introduced Kingston to the game of Old Maid.  He loves to call it Old MAN.  We played with the cards we used when we met the kids for the first time.  They were also the cards we used to play with Grandma and PaPa.  Chris would love to put the old maid high above the other cards and my PaPa would always pick that one.  Kingston really enjoyed cards!

11.22.16 Pioneer Woman.

Luke, Jessica, Chantel, Kingston, and I piled into their truck and headed to meet the Pioneer Woman at her Mercantile.  Well, we really didn't know if she would be there or not, but we wanted to see this new place.  It was amazing.  Kingston was fascinated to meet her- he has watched her on TV many times with me.  We waited in line almost 3 hours to eat at her place.  The chicken fried steak was amazing.  We tried almost everything in the bakery and shopped til we dropped.  I want to go back sometime soon!

11.25.16 Branson

After Thanksgiving, Mom, Luke, Kingston, and I went to Branson.  Dad stayed behind to be with Ma while she was in the hospital.  It was fun getting to do these things with Kingston, but we all missed Dad and were worried about Ma.  We went to Silver Dollar City.  We waited in line to see Santa.  Kingston filled out a letter but having me write what he wanted.  He asked for a drone, motorcycle, and remote control car.  After he mailed his letter, I teased him.  I told him that I wasn't sure what I wrote on the letter, but I'm sure he asked Santa for Frozen toys and an Elsa doll.  He just looked shocked and said, "Issa, those are girl toys!"  I've teased him about it ever since...his Christmas presents from us are wrapped in Frozen paper. 

While in the cabin he colored many a picture.  He started out giving them away to us but then decided to sell them.  At first they were 500 bucks!  When we said we couldn't afford that, he went down to a quarter.  He's such a mess!

12.10.16 Branson with the Barbers

 We met the Barbers in Branson this past weekend.  We had a blast as usual with them.  We went to Silver Dollar City on Saturday.  It was cold.  The boys went off the ride rides while the girls waited in line to see Santa.  Poor Stella wouldn't even look at Santa.  She got out that she wanted a slinky because "Frankie broke hers."  It was precious.  She even got to ride a ride too!  We got popcorn, wassail, candied nuts, and saw the big tree light up.  We headed out and went to the White River Fish House for dinner.  The next day we did some shopping ending our trip with a fancy Gold Corral lunch.  Jett was amazed at the chocolate fountain.  We are so thankful to have friends that are like family.  Who knew 3 years ago we would be so close with them and the Morris clan! I'm so very thankful.

12.13.16 Gavin's Program

Ellen and Jeff invited us to see Gavin's Christmas program at Robinson.  He did a fantastic job. The whole choir sounded amazing.  Momma B even played the piano.  We ate  dinner together at Chuy's and then went on to the program.  I couldn't have been prouder of Gavin.  Amazing job!

12.14.16 Kingston's Christmas Program

Kingston had a Christmas Program at his school.  They did a rendition of the Nutcracker.  He was a dancing mouse.  It was too cute to see him perform.  I stayed and ate lunch with him afterwards.  It was so nice to have someone want you to eat with them.  He got a tray lunch and sadly only ate his corn dog- while another kid ate his actual lunch!  He seemed to enjoy having Aunt Issa at his school.

12.16.16 Kingston's Christmas Party

 He told me he wasn't going to smile. I didn't care!

 Kingston had his Christmas party today at school.  They had cookies and fruit.  That boy loves some fruit.  He even made Reindeer Food which I'm not sure if he realized what it was actually for.  They watched Christmas videos in the classroom.  He snuggled up in my lap when they played Frosty.  He has watched that with Nana and PaPa many times.  We laughed at each other when we said, "Messy, Messy, Messy." 

Kingston's Carnival

 Natalie, Me and Summer

 Can you tell he was ready to play....not take pictures!

This past Friday, we went to Kingston's Carnival at his school.  He had a blast playing on all the blow up houses.  I think his favorite game was the bean bag toss.  When we finally took a break to get some dinner, he was able to open up the bags of candy he received.  He put all the plastic rings on his fingers, looked at me and said, "I'm rich!"  He got a spider painted on his face, that eventually smeared "legs" all over his face!  It was a fun time with him. 

Pumpkin Patch with Kingston

Luke and I have spent the weekend with Kingston.  It has been so much fun.  He has discovered how to play cards.  I introduced him to Old Maid- and we played on the cards Chris and I used to play with Grandma and PaPa.  He calls it Old Man....or Old Woman.  Today, we took him to the Scott Pumpkin Patch.  It was fun for us and him.  Luke and Kingston had a water war at the pumping station.  We saw animals, pig races, and went on a hay ride.  We let him pick a pumpkin.  For lunch, we went to Cotham's.  We introduced him to the biggest burger ever!  We all 3 split 1 Hubcap burger.  We even ordered fried pickles on the side- which he didn't care too much for.  We ended the trip with ice cream at TCBY.  After that we came home and napped.  Tonight, we carved his pumpkin.  Luke helped him pick out a design and they went for it.  He didn't care for getting the guts out of the pumpkin.  However, he was all about roasting some seeds.  He loved them.  Hearing him laugh was priceless for me.  Every night, we read a book, pray, and then I taught him what PaPa taught us...."Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite."  Chris later added- "and if they do, get a shoe, and beat them til they're black and blue."  Kingston has said it every night just a giggling. 

Having him has made both Luke and I realize what normal can be in child rearing.  It's the little things.  His backpack is still in pristine condition- our kids always tore theirs up.  He's appreciative and says thank you a lot....ours always expected it.  He even tells the truth!  I asked him when he used the potty if he wiped good- he said, "Well, I didn't wipe at all."  I was floored he told me the truth without me asking for it over and over again.  He gives hugs freely and laughs freely.  It's not forced or fake.  While I'm thankful for our adoption experience and would even do it all over again if it's what the Lord wanted- it's amazing to me the craziness we lived for so long without even realizing it.  I'm truly thankful for these days with my nephew.  I know Chris would be thrilled to see us spending time together.

A day with Kingston

I haven't taken wanted to take pictures in a long time.  I couldn't resist though, when we had Kingston spend the night with us the other day.  We watched a movie, ate popcorn, went to Benton Old Fashioned Days, and then on to Mills Park.  He and Luke flied the helicopter.  He had a blast doing that.  Then, we played on the playground.  I informed Luke the merry-go-round was probably not a good idea considering we just ate a big breakfast!  I think the pictures turned out cute.  It's amazing how much he reminds me of Chris.