We celebrated Liam’s 12th birthday at the end of December. He requested a Star Wars Clone Wars cake with white chocolate velvet cake. 
Liam’s want, need, do, and read included: Blade builders light saber set, tool box, Dominion game, and two books in Ted Dekker’s Circle series.
Emmie performed at a local festivity with her Steps of Grace ballet group. As a reward, they gave the performers a ticket to come back. I had declined the tickets because the event is very expensive (and included ice skating among other activities). They surprised us by gifting us tickets for everyone! So, the day after Christmas, we headed out. We had some reluctant skaters but we told them that EVERYONE would at least try one time around.
Emmie was a trooper but one time was enough.
After a couple of rounds with the guard, several of our kids took off.
It was fun but we realized pretty quickly that we are very grateful we didn’t invest the money in tickets. Only a few actually skated for more than ten minutes. This is good to know for future ice skating trips.
In April no less!
Emmie begged for Lazy Lights aka Laser Lights. I convinced Mark that they were a small investment for a big thrill. He reluctantly consented. 
Then he asked for a family movie night to watch Polar Express. We had hot chocolate, sweet treats and broke out our Christmas pjs!
Christmas day and our annual picture by the tree.
Tobin was obviously impressed by the festivities.
Mark decided a few years ago to start a Fonatini collection. I look forward to what he adds to it every year.
Sleeping baby cuddles…yes! Even if I was getting choked!
Right after Christmas, our “god” daughter and her family sent us a yummy treat box! Everyone was excited at all the fun stuff!
We enjoyed a Papa and Grandmere visit right before Christmas. 
Chess is always a must when they visit.
We celebrated Zoe’s birthday…
And Liam’s
Grandmere helped with our annual pretzel dipping.
Papa & Grandmere gifted us with a Fuf! Ya’ll this thing is huge but awesome. It’s stuffed with memory foam so it never has to be refilled.
Tobin got some sweet cuddles too.
We took Emmie to Shriner’s Hospital in December to get a second opinion on her scoliosis. He confirmed that we were doing everything we needed to do for her right now. He stated that she was not a candidate for casting because she was at the tail end of age and her spinal fusion in her neck. So, we’re not sure what we the next step will be if her back continues to worsen.
As an aside, Shriner’s is a great facility and treated Emmie extra special. We are so blessed to have two amazing hospitals within a day’s drive of us.
After her appointment, we went for some little play at the park in Greenville. It was cold but so beautiful.
A great place to run off some energy. 
Fun footbridge over the falls!
On the way home, we passed by the Promised Land!
Zoe hit the big 15 in December. We celebrated with a trip to church for Awana. We also threw in a quick trip to eat out and cake. 
With Zoe’s birthday, we started a new tradition. We decided to get them a Want, a Need, a Do, and a Read. Zoe got her ASL t-shirt, pjs, a game, and the complete Chronicles of Narnia collection (something she had requested). She is growing into such a beautiful and amazing young lady. We thank God for allowing us to be her parents. We can not wait to see where God leads her!
Here lies a collection of our December activities that are too few to take up their own. Enjoy!
A local church puts on a lights display that is insanely busy and huge…This was our second trip. We didn’t get a chance to go last year but made sure we could get over there this year.
Our local town’s Christmas parade is very near our house. When we were parking and unloading, we noticed another large and familiar van…that of our neighbor’s. Camping out with another large family, we also met yet another large family. Naturally, we had to round up as many of our kids as we could to get a quick picture. Nope, this isn’t all of them. I think there were about 26 in all (but some kids were marching in the parade).
Our church’s Christmas party meant Tobin got lots of snuggles.
Mark and I were in charge of coming up with games and the cling wrap game was a must. Wrap up gifts in cling wrap until you make a big ball. The person sitting next to you rolls the dice. When they hit a double, you pass the cling wrap ball to that person etc.
Aside from goofy things like a pack of silly moustaches, we also hid a gift card to a nice restaurant. 
So, November’s random pictures are pretty much all with Tobin in them. With a few exceptions. Maybe I should call this one November Tobins. Yes. We’re all in love.
Daddy cuddles are the best.
This was our Tobin at 2 weeks. No. Joke. 
The boys love to play in the volleyball pit when they have to wait on the girls at American Heritage Girls.
It took Malachi over a week, but he finally agreed to hold Tobin. He was very nervous about holding him this time.
Baby wearing…another M.I.T. (Mama In Training)
Be still my heart.
He outgrew his co-sleeper after a couple of weeks.
Napping is such hard work.
Emmie and Ace enjoyed some special one on one time on our trip to Atlanta.
Look! Tobin finally got hair!
Milk drunk. After a good nursing, he is comatose for about five minutes.
Zoe, Ace, and Emmie were playing pretend and I caught them. They refused a video though.
November brought my fortieth birthday. I guess I shouldn’t say that…curl up in a ball…cry giant tears. Whatever! I have no shame in getting older. I think I’ve lived a good life. Not really one I was planning but way better.
Mark did an amazing job making sure the day was special.
Like conspiring with one of my besties who lives in Pennsylvania for her to drive all the way down here.
And then sending me out with both of my besties for breakfast. These two women are my nursing home conspirators. You know…the women who are going to put up with me until I’m old and gray and we’re rocking on the front porch reminding each other who we are. 
He had the kids prep and make cards for me.
And a giant spread of lunch goodies.
Friends stopped by to make goofy faces and eat with us.
And my parents came up. Sure, they came for me…but honestly, they came to love on the baby.
I got some Tobin loving too.
I even got a wished for bike shirt ordered from Children’s Tumor Foundation.
Tobin wasn’t too sure what to think about Granddaddy.
After a trip to Emmie’s ballet, we rushed the kids home for Mark and I to go out to eat at The Chophouse.
I got to celebrate my birthday throughout the week while Kristina visited with us.
And then we all went to see Wonder based on the book by R.J. Palacio. It was amazing and a wonderful end to celebrating another decade.
We have been blessed to be members of church family that celebrates every baby that comes in to our church. Tobin was no exception. The ladies in our church put together a beautiful shower to celebrate Tobin’s birth.
Fun games
Sweet gifts
Absolutely adorable decorations
And, our church is never hurting for some good food. This was the best carrot cake I’ve ever had.
Tobin loved getting cuddles from everyone…including G.
Baby pants…always adorable.
The girls had fun playing dressup with the tissue paper.
The women gifted Tobin a Bible and highlighted special verses in it. I can not wait to give this beautiful memory to him.
