hunting buddies.

these 2 boys lived it up at deer camp a few weekends ago.

I can't believe these 2 are even BIG enough to go, and the fact their mommas 

let them go.

I will report they both came home in one piece, happy, feed, and needing a bath!

gUeSs who.

doesn't just LOVE the snow?

 

the one not pictured in it.

Phelps is not a fan.

the old vs. the young

after completing a young vs. old basketball game this is what the Dumas boys

looked like.  I guess Cris and Rob would be considered Dumas boys.  Right?  If they are married to a Dumas sister?

love. this. picture.

why??

 lOOk closely and notice......

- Cris' head. (2nd from the left)

Yep, I am pretty sure some of us might have an annual picture like that from high school. 

-  Water falling from John Polk's head. (2nd from the right)

Present from his girl cousins.

- JD's refreshing beverage.  Beer and Basketball???

wondering who won?

the oldies.

JD is considered a young one.

snowball

fight!!!

on

 

Christmas

morning!

 

say WHAT???

cHrIsTmAs MoRnInG!

 the kiddos can not pass this little barrier on Christmas morning until

the parents come.

the BIG question.......did he come?

(please note.  I believe Watkins was a little worried, three numbers 911.)

yep, he did.
he was VERY nice I might add.

watkins' goodies

phelps' toys

kd's stuff

lj's stash

I tried to convince them to let Santa put the presents under the tree, but
they all insist on these certain spots.

everyone had tons of fun opening presents.
we opened them one at a time this year and they loved it.
so sweet!

they were very animated to say the least.


somebody was very excited about the white stuff!

smiles all around!

twas the night before cHrIsTmAs.......

and all through the Dumas place, 

we're giggles, laughs, and smiles on every face!

The Dumas daddy read the traditional story real quick,

you know the one - all about St.Nick.

Watkins was confused because he heard about some snow,

and Dumas daddy clarified, "Only if it can stay 32 or below."

The Dumas kiddos couldn't wait to see if the snow would appear,

and if they might hear Santa and his reindeer.

It wasn't to late when all the Dumas kiddos hung their stockings with care,

In hopes the Dumas momma would stop taking pictures sometime before Santa got there.

All 4 Dumas kiddos did get nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of Toms, American Girl Dolls, and Legos danced in their heads!

she's a fIrEcRaCkEr.

 this little thing is a mEsS lately!

I have to share 2 quotes from yesterday.........

#1 Is it a bad thing that Phelps has stomped me in the game "Memory" 

each time we have played?

I personally think not, but it is the truth.

Last night as we were playing, everytime she would get a match she would then say, "Holla."

Where did she hear that???

I have some ideas.

Thank you cousin, Stella!

#2  Have you ever seen the movie Norbit ?

If you haven't this won't be as funny, and a suggestion you need to rent

it soon.  It is sure to bring you tons of laughs!

Eddie Murphy plays 2 of the main characters. 

Last night I was talking to Phelps while she was playing in the bathtub.

She said, "Momma, shampoo me, condition me, bathe me - Hal-a-lou-your!

"Hal-a-lou-your" is something Eddie's character says over and over again in the movie.

1 word - hilarious!

sassy with a side of attitude.

can you guess which one of them I am talking about???

we are having a little difficulty in that area.  

hopefully that will all work out real soon......

I will let you know.

on the other hand------

we all had a really good time making cookies for Santa.

 they worked really hard making theirs just right.

 I am sure Santa thought they were YuM, YuM!

nAuGhTy or nIcE ???

naughty if you are considering the funny faces they are making at their momma.

nice if you count they are ALL looking at the camera with sWeEt smiles.

I count that as really NICE.

p.s. those are supposed to be reindeer antlers.

Christmas Eve 2010

puppy love.

love them.

sneak peak of the pictures that were taken of my kiddos.

They are f.a.b.u.l.o.u.s.

9.9.1.

a few things I have learned recently I thought you might want to know................

1.  Yes, if you call 9.9.1. in that order it DOES successfully call 9.1.1.

how do I know you might ask??

2.  I will share the story, because I would hate to leave you hanging.

JD and I have left the kiddos at home with a couple of extra equally responsible children (you know the ones you could claim as your own because they spend so much time with you at your house) for just a couple of hours only about 2 miles away.  We are enjoying our dinner, when JD receives a call from our home phone.  JD leaves the dinner, only to rush back in tell me we are leaving and not to forget my coat.  JD is practically running to the car, as I trail behind begging for him to explain, all while I keep hearing him say......"Calm down Lawson Joy, and tell me again."

3.  I am not a very patient person.  Surprised?  Well, I love for my kiddos, my students, and JD to answer me or do the things I ask them right after it comes out of my mouth.  With JD, I think the Lord is trying very hard to teach me patience.

4.  back to the story..........

We are almost home before he puts down the phone.  My heart was beating 90 to nothing and I still had no idea what was going on!  JD quickly explains that someone called 9.1.1. from our house and the police are at the house.  LJ is hysterical, and JD - he is livid.

5.  LJ's hysteria.

I think was mostly caused by the thoughts of, "What is my daddy going to do and the knowledge of she is in the biggest trouble she has ever been."

6.  fRiGhTeNiNg!

I can not explain the feelings pulling up to my house and seeing NOT 1 BUT 2 police cars, yes, with flashing lights and 2 police officers standing on the porch.  I let JD deal with the police and I go in and see if I can't get to the bottom of the story.

7.  Interrogation

 

JD interrogated each child one at a time (even the 2 borrowed children) on the front porch.  

Enough tears were shed that night to make us a Dumas pond.  Please note - JD is quite the interrogator, but it was not working each child had the same exact story that went like this.....

"LJ, Cully, and Phleps were on the computer.  Haley and KD were on the piano.  Watkins was watching t.v.  The phone rang, Watkins picked it up and low and behold the police were on the way because someone had called 9.1.1."

8.  IMPRESSED and fUnNy.

Did you catch the fact that the police were on the front porch waiting on us?  LJ was taught well.  Remember the rule, "Never let strangers in."  That's right she even followed that rule with the police.  In fact, that might be the bEsT part of this story.

9.  No, confessions.

1.5 hours have passed and no one will confess.  Watkins keeps saying over and over again, "I did not call 9.9.1."  Well, that eliminates him, RIGHT?  JD is beside himself wondering why in the world won't these kids confess.  Honestly, I would have confessed even if I hadn't done it by this point if I were a kid.  

10.  then even later in our bedroom

Watkins' question, "I need to tell you something.  Will you promise I won't get in trouble?"  JD is a softy when it comes to this boy.  Why?  Not sure, but I do know he is the sweetest thing and his face, well it melts your heart.  JD agreed.  "If you tell us something, you want get in trouble."

THE CONFESSION

You guessed it.  Watkins confessed.  "I called 9.9.1. tonight because I needed to know if it worked and if I could do it."  What do you say to that?  I am not sure what we said, but I have you know I was holding back tears.

CONCLUSION

If your wondering, did he get in trouble?? No, he didn't.  Do I think he will ever call 9.9.1. again for no reason?  NEVER.  There you have it people. 9.1.1. works even if you call 9.9.1.  If you don't believe, ask the Dumas children.

Our life is NeVeR dull. 

cHeEsErS

this little hammock

that sits on my momma and daddy's porch is very much liked by these two,

and helps make some of the sweetest smiles!

don't you think so???

they heart it.

 

 

cousins, golf cart riding, all of Grandy's food, the pool table, deer hunting,

tractor riding, palet parties, Daddio's pancakes, millions of giggles..............

who wouldn't just love Prentiss with the 17 cousins and loads of fun they all have together.

I love watching my kiddos make sweet memories that will last forever.

turning 3.0.

truthfully.......it has taken me a couple of weeks to admit it, but I turned the big 3-0.

It wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be, mostly because the SWEET husband

surprised me with a trip to New York.

He showed me the sites and made sure I ate some fabulous food.

The highlights were the Broadway show, seeing the statue of Liberty, our LONG walk in Central park, and eating at Mario Batali's restuarant.

thank you to the sweet husband.  

I love you so!

park sMiLeS.

kAtHeRiNe's SoNg

 KD and her sweet piano teacher Mrs. Anderson

KD had her fall piano recital and played a song she wrote herself.

Very impressive!  And of course, the song was entitled "Katherine's Song."

 

KD and her daddy

sometimes

these sisters act like this.

yep.  it is hard being nice all the time, even with Santa's visit fast approaching.

oh, what fUn

it

 is

 to

 play

 in

 a

BIG

 ole

 pile

 of

  

LeAvEs !