Velveteen Rabbit

Last Tuesday the boys and I took a field trip to see the Velveteen Rabbit at a local Arts Center. The day before and of we read the story so we could compare the similarities and differences of the book and play. We had a blast being able to get pictures by the stage, sit in the second row, and then meet the cast afterwards. I just love these experiences with them..

Owen's birthday

We had such a full and fun time with Owen's birthday this year. Once again he chose to celebrate with family versus a big 'ol party, so....we went to Glow Galaxy and then on to P.F.Changs for dinner. Glow Galaxy is a glow in the dark bounce house and putt-putt place. At P.F. Changs it was great ordering from the gluten-free menu for our family. Later that week we went to Mellow Mushroom with 2 of his best buds and reserved the bus- an actual bus sits in the restuarant and is a great spot for children to be themselves. Here are some snapshots of our fun...

have dones...

here is a list i saw on a friend's blog of things she has done in her life thus far. i thought it was interesting so here's my list of have dones... (if it is bold then i have done it)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (does an orchestra count?)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoningOK does water poisoning count?
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon I'm thinking a 5K is a good start?
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud who hasn't that has boys?
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt...kinda of
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car...ok, given a new one...i didn't but it
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee


Lord, i pray that in every adventure you allow me to have i might be evermore in awe of you! thank you for what has been and what is to come.

Gracie Butler Baker

Some of our friends, and former youth leaders, Benji and Rebekah Baker, gave birth to a beautiful little girl. The day she entered this world she met Jesus face to face. Please pray for the family that longs to hold her, touch her little face, snuggle with her and just look at her. Our hearts are so heavy for their family and we just ask you to cover them in your prayers. Please take a moment to meet Gracie and be blessed.

Your thoughts????

In A Mother Just Like You I came across this statement....what do you think?

"Family planning is the mother of abortion. A generation had to be indoctrinated in the ideal of planning children around personal convenience before abortion could become popular. We Christians raise an outcry against abortion today, and rightly so. But the reason we have to fight those battles today is because we lost them thirty years ago. Once couples began to look upon children as creatures of their own making,who they could plan into their lives as they chose or not, all reverence for human life was lost. Children as God's gift whom we humbly receive are one thing: children as articles of our own manufacturing are another. You can do anything you like with what you yourself have made."

NC Holiday Tour

We just loved our visit with family! It was as restful as it could be seeing over 50+ people in 11 days. We felt that our time with each family was so sweet and we made tons of memories. The pictures don't really do our trip justice, because there are so many things that I didn't get pictures of.

We got to see Boompa and Mimi Withrow that came in from Norman,OK. We spent much of our seminary holidays with them since they were the closest family. It was great to see them again and see Keely, Ted, and their children.

Isabella Kate was such a precious highlight too. Tate absolutely just ate her up with a spoon. All he wanted to do was sit in the floor with his legs open saying " Hold baby, hold baby"

Thanks to Chad and Grandma Jo, I went back early to my mom's house and got to have a "girl night" with her. We did some shopping, ate, and then watched Mama Mia. Great chick flick....the new GREASE...kind of. And then the next day I had a wonderful lunch with Anna Morrison. She took me to a local joint in Durham, and we totally passed the day away catching up, laughing, and encouraging one another. I love you sweet friend!

Last but not least in the Vinson home was our Best Christmas Present. a hotel pool!? Who would have thought that spending the night in Asheville going and coming would have been our family's favorite. They loved the pool!! I definately recommend it for ANY road trip. Well, that about sums it up!


Visiting Ivey in her temporary home


Our precious new niece, Isabella. She is just so stinkin' cute!!!


A really awful shot, but hey, it proves i was there. haha


"Hey Tate! Check it out...A basketball goal!"


Waitin' for the words.....


The "Garden of Love" Handprint trinket tray we gave Grandma Emmie


Enjoying a USA Map puzzle at Grandma Jo & Cam's house


On the farm

Holiday Higlights

Crazy to think it has been a month since we celebrated Christmas with our boys. We just loved the wonder and excitement in their eyes as they opened and enjoyed their gifts and enjoyed their brother's gifts as well. A few days later, we started our NC tour and those pictures are to come.


Owen and Griffin getting into a new building toy


Griffin tearing into his new scooter


Tate can now keep up with his big brothers