What I came home to tonight...

Tonight I went out to eat with some girlfriends! It was a great time, as usual, but it is always adventurous coming home when Burt has been left alone with the girls (chandelier hanging by thread from ceiling, wall finger painted pink down both sides, toilet painted blue, Eva Grace colored blue, etc...) I guess tonight is minor in comparison but I thought I would share!

We wish YOU a Merry Christmas

We wish YOU a Merry Christmas!

Wednesday Festivities, Christmas Eve

Today has been a very busy day! After the morning festivities Andrew and Sarah wanted to take the girls to the movies to see Madagascar 2. (Andrew always takes them to the movies when he is in). They had a blast and cried when I came to get them! I had to get a picture to mark the event. Andrew decided he wanted a "jumping shot." I don't think they achieved this look, but I got 3 good tries.

Tuesday Night Festivities

We got together Tuesday evening for dinner at Mom's house. Our whole family was able to be there and we were also joined by Sarah's family. It was a great time and the food was excellent, as usual. I am so thankful that both of our families can get together.  It is so heartwarming to have everyone together at once - the holiday spirit was defiantly felt. After the meal, Emma and Eva Grace talked Uncle Andrew and Martin (Sarah's brother) into a little hide and seek followed by some movie watching of Rudolph. I do love the family time that the holidays bring.
"Emma and Martin, where are you guys?"
"Found you!"

Barrett Family Christmas 2008, for the book

We had the Barrett Family Christmas early this year. Burt's family has done it every Christmas Eve since he's been born but this year his brother, Mylo has to work on Christmas Eve so we did it Saturday evening instead. Jane Ellen fixed her delicious stew for dinner then we opened presents. The girls could barely wait to eat so they could open their presents. Some of Emma and Eva Grace's favorites were their pajamas with matching robes and slippers and Disney Princess banks (Emma got Sleeping Beauty and Eva Grace got Jasmine, just like in Disney World). Ella loved her Princess ride on toy, her interactive books, her pajamas with matching robe and play phone. All the girls got a new play kitchen.

Burt also had a great Christmas, getting a new tv, a bomber hat, and a long awaited for card shuffler! He also got some movies and wii games! I got some new outfits, and a diffuser. We also got the traditional lottery tickets and money :)



Emma said her friend Piper told her...
Piper has spied on Santa twice without him knowing. Once he winked at her, the other time she heard him say, 'I'm coming Mrs. Clause. I'm coming Rudolph!" Then she went back to bed!

Gingerbread House

Aaron and Chelsea drove in yesterday for Christmas. This morning they made a gingerbread house with the girls. A fun time was had by everyone and I'm sure more candy was eatten than used. The house turned out really sweet (ha!) I think it is the prettiest one they have ever made!

Barrett Family Christmas 2008

We did the Barrett Family Christmas early this year. Every year since before Burt was born, the Barrett's have done their Christmas on Christmas Eve night. This year Mylo has to work so they did it Saturday night. We all got together and ate some of Jane Ellen's delicious stew followed by presents! The girls could hardly wait! It was so fun watching them rip into their packages and hear their excited squeels! Here are a few highlights of the night.
Eva Grace got some Jasmine pajamas!

Emma got some Sleeping Beauty pajamas.

Ella loved her new book! I love her suprised face here :)

The girls also got Princess banks of the Princess they choose to be in Disney World.

Ella enjoyed her Princess ride on toy!

Burt also enjoyed himself tonight. He got a greatly needed tv (ours just died), a bomber hat and a card shuffler. All of these things were on his Christmas list, the card shuffler was for the past 3 years... He was so proud.

Poppy with all the grandkids! This was Zeke's first Christmas.

I made Jane Ellen a photobook of our Disney World trip.

The Barrett Grandkids: Eva Grace, Ella, Emma & Zeke

Check out Molly being festive in her Santa hat!!! Zeke let Ella help open his presents.

Ella and Poppy playing.

Check out my cool new Christmas boots!

Althought this was a joyous night, our hearts were saddened that Aunt Paul wasn't with us. She passed away a few weeks ago.

I saw Mommy kissing Santa Clause

I couldn't resist posting this and the funny story to go with it. Sunday evening was our Church Christmas Program and fellowship. They always have Santa come in for the kids. Well, this year's Santa showed up and went to put his suit on and it was WAY too little. So, at the last minute they found the only man small enough (that's right) to fit into the suit and fulfill the roll of Santa. Does he look familiar?

School Christmas Parties

Thursday afternoon was one of those afternoons where it takes a neighborhood to support this family! Emma and Eva Grace both had school parties at the same time and Ella couldn't go to either of them! So, I went to Eva grace's first then was relieved by Jane Ellen so I could go to Emma's party and thankfully, Burt was able to stay home with Ella. Here are Eva Grace's buddies -Sophie, Peyton, and Layla. I think these girls keep Mrs. Kelly laughing & on her toes! Aren't they cuties!! They all run and hug each other every morning when one arrives to school, it is so sweet! Her class is a sweet group of kids!
Emma had a great time at her First grade party too! They all enjoyed opening their presents and the food at Emma's was excellent - not like normal parties (sausage balls, homemade cookies, rotel with chips, cupcakes, pigs in a blanket, etc..) Here is Emma with classmates Adam and Matthew, and of her with her ballerina craft she made.

Christmas Play

Emma and Eva Grace were in our Church's Christmas play again this year. They both did a great job. I do have to admit that some expectations were let down with Eva Grace. The past 2 years she has gotten in a fight towards the end of the play. This year cameras were waiting to roll to capture the event but she fairly well behaved herself. Nanner (the director) made sure to separate all her little buddies during the performance. That was a brilliant idea because they all behaved and did a great job. Emma had a couple of lines that she said loud and clear like she was supposed to. Eva Grace got to sing her favorite song "GLORIA" and she sang that loud and clear. She didn't have a solo but you could clearly hear her above the rest of the choir! We were very proud of them!
Grandma, Granddad, Adam, Poppy, Molly and Zeke came to see the performance. Nanner (Jane Ellen) was the director and she did a great job, as usual!

Andrew and Sarah's Wedding

Last week was one of the busiest weeks ever. We ended the week with my middle brother, Andrew, getting married. The ceremony was one of the sweetest I have ever attended and Sarah looked beautiful. Almost all 50 states were represented in attendance it seemed. Andrew is in the Navy and had people from everywhere flying in, plus our huge family. Thankfully the bad weather held off until all flights were returned home!

Friday evening was the rehearsal at the church followed by the dinner at Whole Hog Barbecue. Most of the family and friends had made it into town by this time. The groomsmen were struggling with pain due to the bachelor outting earlier that day to play paintball in Memphis. They all were covered in whelps laughing at each other! Burt got hit in the neck and it is still swollen. Thankfully Andrew's face wasn't harmed.

Saturday was the wedding at Central Baptist Church followed by the Reception at The Station, downtown. Emma and Eva Grace were flower girls and they did such a great job. They thought Sarah was a princess and they loved Andrew's sword - imagine that!

It was a very memorable event. Lots of fellowshipping with family and friends. Everything was very elegant and well organized! We are blessed to add Sarah to our family.

My friend, Ashley Reid

Ok, I really know her name is Ashley Dobson but she will forever be Ashley Reid to me. I am SOOO blessed to have a friend like Ashely in my life. We go way back (over 12 years back) when we worked together and lived together as college roommates. She is my friend I can always call on anytime and she is game for whatever! Tonight was no exception. (she went to a bachlorette party with me because I didn't know anyone except the bride.) She has always been there for me and is happy for me, sad for me, worries about me, is always on my side, dislikes who I dislike just because I dislike them (ha), laughs with me, knows me, and shares so many memories with me. Ashley is so kind, compassionate, sweet, gracious, fun, hilarious, and a great friend. I am truly blessed to be able to call her my friend!

Sarah's Bachelorette Party

Tonight we went to Sarah's Bachelorette Party in Memphis. We ate at the Magestic, a restaurant downtown. Sarah is marrying my brother, Andrew, this Saturday! It was nice meeting her friends and other bridesmaides! This was the kickoff to a very busy weekend full of wedding festivities. My brothers Andrew and Aaron got home today and many more family is arriving tomorrow and Saturday.

Nutcracker 2008

(Picture of Emma's First Grade Class)
Emma and Eva Grace's schools went to see the condensed version of the Nutcracker. They both enjoyed it and now want to take ballet! I had never seen the Nutcracker in person but have to say it wasn't bad (like on tv). We knew several friends that were in it and it was fun watching them perform!

A Disgusting Treasure

When my dad came to work on my house we had to move the couches. I really didn't think it had been that long since I cleaned under my couches but apparently it had been a little too long!  That thing my dad is holding up is a banana - not the banana peel but a whole banana. It was so hard we could bang it on the counter and it sounded like a hammer hitting it! We also found around 50 ink pens. Ella had to be removed from such cleaning ventures because she kept trying to eat whatever was under there. EVEN GROSSER! Please know that all the furniture has now been moved and cleaned under ;)

Early Christmas Present

This year for Christmas my dad re-did my living room and kitchen. I have not liked the wall paper since we moved in! So, for Christmas, my wonderful father

*tore down my wallpaper border in my living room
*got my living room carpet stretched
*painted the living room and foyer
*tore down the kitchen wallpaper
*painted the kitchen
*and fixed my stove drawer

There isn't much the man can't do. Thanks DAD!


Ella- 1 year old,
Emma-7 years old

Happy Birthday, Emma!

My little Emma has turned 7. It doesn't seem like 7 years ago our lives changed forever and I inherited the best, most fulfilling job EVER! We are so proud of her and who she is becoming.

Emma's actual birthday was the 26th but at our house, birthday celebrations seem to last at least a week. Hers started off with her friend birthday party. The theme was Super Girl. The girls had a fun time making capes and playing hide-and-seek in the church (great place for hide-and-seek!) After her party we went to Lazzari to eat where they brought her cake with a trick candle, which Emma and Eva Grace greatly enjoyed.

Tuesday was her party at school. We took a cookie cake for her class to eat. They had games going on that morning which she also thought was part of her birthday fun - and she got out of school early! That night she spent the night with her friend, Joanna.

Wednesday, the actual day, we went to play at Chick-fil-a for a while for lunch. Then she wanted to eat at Fugi's for her birthday dinner with all the family, followed by a trip to Target to spend her birthday money. Our cousin Cassi was in town by this time for Thanksgiving and she spent the night with us. We ended the night playing Mario Cart, one of her gifts!

All of this made for Emma a fun and wonderful birthday! We love you Emma Elizabeth!

Barrett Conversation

This conversation took place at our house today.

Me: "Ella, what is on your booty?"

Eva Grace: "sparkles."

Sure enough, it was sparkles. The next question you might think I would ask, I decided I didn't want to know the answer to! So... The End. (literally, hahahaha)

Ella- 1 year old
EG- 4 years old

J Christopher's Evening with the Elves

Friday night we went to J Christopher Toy Store to see Santa's Elves and check out the toys. Burt backed out so the girls conned Uncle Adam into joining us. I think he had as much fun as they did :) My girls had a great time and want to go see Santa again to give him their updated lists!

Ella- 1
EG- 4
Emma- 7

Kids Occasions

WE were so honored to have the cover of the November issue of Occasions Kids magazine! My kids have enjoyed the publicity!

Emma's teacher got all her kids copies and had Emma autograph each one so everyone in her class has an autographed copy. Wasn't this sweet! Thanks Mrs. Mitzi!

Church Nursery Fun

Ella Barrett feeding Ella Dobson, a favorite nursery activity - sharing, haha. I am blessed that my little Ella has so many church friends her age. We had us a little baby boom at our church about a 1 1/2 years ago. All of these babies (and their families) are so sweet. It has been so much fun to watch them grow together. I can't believe they are getting so big. I would say that this bottom picture of Ella and Theron rocking with Aaron while reading a book was a favorite nursery activity (and this 2 minutes it was) but these two usually don't want to be held or be still for very long! haha.

Guys and Dolls starring our cousin Cassi!

Last weekend the girls and I went with my mom to Ft. Smith to watch my cousin, Cassi, star in Guys and Dolls. Cassi was Adalade - the leading lady! She did an AWESOME job - I think the best and that isn't biased! She hit every note and her acting was perfect! My girls enjoyed the show! Every time Cassi would come out they would wave at her to try to catch her attention. Thankfully we were seated near the back so we didn't disturb many others!

My new toy!

Thanks to my success at Little Bit of Christmas I splurged and got another monogramming machine. I felt guilty for spending that much money on myself at Christmas time but it has saved me hours of time ALREADY! Hopefully I can make the money spent on it back by Christmas - HAHAHA.

Emma's Acting Debut

Emma's reading group at school acted out one of their stories from their reader! Daddy went to watch the performance and said it was really sweet! He also took some great photos!

Emma, First grade, 6 years old

Breakfast with the Ballerinas

Saturday morning, Emma, Eva Grace and I decided to go eat breakfast with the Nutcracker Ballerinas. It was very sweet. The girls got to wear their tutu's and leotards (we always look for occasions to wear those out). The ballerinas walked around and talked to the little girls as they ate, they were all very sweet. We had a good time.

Lil' Bit of Christmas 2008

Another year has come and gone. I do love doing this craft fair. I think it's because of all the people I get to see that I usually don't see. I have to share a funny story about my friend Stacy Sample. The first day we were there Stacy was eatting this huge chocolate covered ice cream and I wanted one. She told me where they were located and that they came male or female (with or without nuts). I thought this was odd, but funny. So, I went to get myself one and told them I would like a male one. They looked at me like I was crazy. Then I said, "with nuts." Apparently, Ms Stacy made up the part about male and female. I made a huge idiot out of myself and the ice cream people thought I was nuts! Thanks STACY!