It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Singing Christmas Carols!

Lots of help!

Daddy giving Sutton a boost! All the ornaments were at the bottom:)

They had forgotten about this BiG guy!

Daddy's helpers!

Finished!

I love Christmas! I love getting everything done early (like decorating and shopping) and enjoying every minute of it. Our schedule is jam packed this year - but I am so excited for every event on the calendar, so don't want to wish any of it by. Jesse tree's, Advent calendar, lots of talk of our Saviors birth, Christmas programs, Christmas parties with family and friends, birthdays and weddings mark our calendars! Friday the kids helped get down all of our decorations and helped daddy hang the lights on the trees outside. Then Papa and daddy did their work with the crazy high lights on the house! The finished product is always so much fun!

Luke 2:8-12

⁸And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.⁹An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ¹²This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Thanksgiving!

Gingerbread house making teams!

Treasure hunt clues

Preslee and Elizabeth

Some of us girls! Love you!

Sweet Ella Rose

Beau and Brax

Papa and his girl

Juju surprised the kids with a new club house

The big kids taking pictures on Juju's computer

We have so much to be thankful for! This year for thanksgiving we had lunch at Juju and Grandad's, and then a much smaller thanksgiving at our house that night. It was an fun day with family and friends. The beautiful weather always helps when you have lots of little kids too. Our kids love playing with their cousins and friends! Mickey sent them on a BIG treasure hunt, a new tradition that he started a few years ago. And that night Michael and Amanda helped the kids make their gingerbread houses - I'm still waiting for permission from the artists to throw them out - they think they are beautiful! We are so blessed!

Hebrews 12:28
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.

Turkey Trot!

The start!

Jeannie and Avery - running holding hands!

Kooper was the bike winner! And Ellie won the foot race!

After the race! Everyone is a winner!

Our kids are growing up and this year we decided to do a turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning. Jeannie and Todd were staying across the street at Dan and Nancy's and their girls have taken up the hobby of running - some of them maybe more than others. So our informal turkey trot became even more fun when they joined us. We quickly made up some home made medals:) They all did amazing, finishing the entire mile course - some on foot, others on bike. I think this is the first of many more turkey trots!

Luke 10:21
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

Lainey's birthday

Buddies!

We went to a birthday party for Kooper's sweet friend from his class Lainey. It was at her grandad's house - who just happens to be Barry Switzer. Her mom introduced us to her dad and added, "don't worry they are OSU fans, they are not here for your status!" Pretty funny! They are a super sweet family!

Ice skating at the Galleria!

The beautiful Christmas tree in the middle of the rink

Speed racer Koop

Waiting for the ice to be groomed

She smiled like this the entire time!

What was I thinking!?!

On the way home from Dallas, we took the kids to ice skate at the Galleria. We had a great time; but I wouldn't say any of us were great! Our sweet friend Katie rode home with us and took lots of pics of us on the ice. Kooper and Sutton were completely independent skaters by the end. Fun memories!

Psalm 119:45
I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.

Big "D"

Lunch with friends at an apartment complex for the mentally handicapped - schizophrenic guy got healed when two of our guys prayed for him....amazing.....the voices left and He heard the voice of the father say, "peace, be still!"

Healing the sick

Team sharing stories and encouraging each other after a great weekend

Ashley & Preslee

We took the Equip class to Dallas this weekend to serve Antioch's church plant Mercy Place. We had an amazingly fruitful and fun weekend. There were many salvation's and healings. We served the church and the poor in the area too. It is always challenging to take 4 kids, push them until they crash and come back and start life on Monday; but we wouldn't have traded it for anything. We love how our students invest in our kids. Our kids know mommy and daddy share the Gospel and wait on God - but when you are in a culture that it is normal- they will normally grow up abnormal- let it be! God in his goodness gave us some ripe fruit from the start. First time out of the chute sharing the gospel Jake, the kids and I went together (only time we did that all weekend) and when we got about a block away God pointed out a woman walking down the street with her 10 year old son. I talked with her for a minute, shared the gospel and she gave her life to Jesus (while Jake kept the kids out of the busy street:) Then we swapped and Jake was able to lead little Ka'Shan to Jesus! They experienced great peace and light headedness as we prayed for them, they will never be the same! Then we walked another block and Jake shared with another man behind his home (a daddy of 4-isn't God good)! He gave his life to Jesus and Kooper taking every second of it in; afterwards said, "He didn't even know what prayer was, wow"; their eyes and ours are being opened up more each day to the sick state of each of our hearts. And every ones need for a relationship with the Prince of Peace! I could tell story after story but I will end saying we are so honored to get to lead with our sweet friends the Kennedy's and lead a team that is truly forcefully advancing the Kingdom! Wow! It's only November; expectant of what God is going to do in the next 7 months!

Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

The true meaning!

The birth!

Last week I was cooking dinner and Jake had just walked in the door. We were talking in the kitchen and Kooper came in and announced they had a play for us. And in came the crew - Mary, Joseph, angel, and wise man - and baby Jesus doll of course. They announced the arrival of Jesus and acted out the entire story they had been rehearsing. The best part is when Koop plunged the baby doll up Mary (Preslee's) shirt and she gave birth to it! We were on the floor but managed to click a quick pic! What a joy to get to be your parents!

Matthew 1:23 And the virgin gave birth to a son and they gave him the name Immanuel - which means "God is with you".

Cheering for the sooners?

We found many stops walking to the game!

Some of you could probably hardly open this post just because of the title. But raising 4 kids in Norman, it is inevitable that they will probably all grow up cheering for the sooners at some time. Daddy put it well when he told Kooper - "I don't care which team you cheer for as long as you are loving Jesus!" We went to the OU football game last week - to cheer for Landry and watch the Aggie band - Jake has been a long time fan of the Aggie band. And the kids don't really know Landry - but know he is Miss Whitney's boyfriend and loves Jesus - worth cheering for! I don't think they even knew who won but had a great time eating treats and the fireworks at half-time were awesome! I love being with my hubby and kids no matter where we are!

Kooper and Grandad's acting debut!

All the signs were obviously not accurate for the person holding them. Kooper's said, "Are mommy and daddy going to get a divorce?"

Kooper and Grandad were part of a skit at church Sunday. Chris was talking about fear and there were 15 people who came out with their cardboard signs with different fears on them. At the end the music stops and they tore up and threw down their signs, starting the sermon.

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Having cousins is so much fun!

Cuties!

This is how the three of them walked around all morning!

The big kid table at chic-fil-a

Singing the bart connor cubby song at the end of class

Anna climbing out of the pit!

Kooper couldn't help flipping while waiting for cousins to come, he can be found flipping, or walking on his hands most of the time these days - He is loving gymnastics!

They were scared they would miss Anna and Jade come, so they had a picnic in the front yard!

Grandad raked leaves off the roof onto the kids - big hit- Dax was smart enough to put on his hat!

I remember loving to play with my cousins growing up and we really were not that close, so I can only imagine how many amazing memories our kids are going to have. We got some fun time with Anna and Jade (who live in Waco) this week while they stayed at Juju and Grandad's. On Tuesday Juju leads a Bible study so we got to take them to gymnastics with us. Anna wasn't sure at first, but had so much fun. And mr. smiley Jade loved every second of it. Afterwards we met Brittany and Sadie at the mall for some more playing and lunch. We had so much fun getting to enjoy them while their mommy and daddy were out of town. My kids are already asking when we will see them again!

Daniel 2:21
He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

Costumes for the young at heart!

Mario and Peach were a big hit! Amanda's friends bro got the hat from Nintendo- a bit more ligit than Brax's; his facial hair was too!

Jake though Popeye and Olive Oil was just a step up from Aladdin and Jasmine our 1st year of marriage! Sometimes we all need humbled:)

My kids didn't know who Nana was when we showed them pics!

You would think with 3 guys in our family dressed up in Mario characters we were huge Nintendo fans - but we are not - OK maybe Kooper is and Michael and Jake in their younger days:) The shower was so much fun. Amanda was sick - bummer - but she is a great sport and was still fun; we were all giving her long distance hugs though. So excited for the wedding and to have Amanda officially in our family - great addition! Love you guys and are so excited for you! Here are a few of us in costume for you to enjoy (laugh at)!