A Very Merry First Christmas

(I found Charlotte like this on Christmas morning! SO CUTE!)

December 25, 2009 was the best Christmas ever! Charlotte had her first Christmas, and though she was clueless as to what was going on, it was still the best. She made out like a bandit, but of course everybody would spoil her, it's her first Christmas! She got a really fun book that she loves from Paw Paw, a teether and wrist rattles from grandma Gail, really adorable outfits from both her grandma's and I didn't make out so bad either!

(Charlotte opening her first Christmas present from Santa)

Craig and I got a video camera from Grandma Gail and that was really nice! Of course the motive for it was so she could get video of her first, and as of right now, only grandchild - but it is good to have so we can capture those precious moments.

(Shelton Family dinner on Christmas eve: Uncle Brad, Uncle Cory, Uncle Ross,
Hailey, Dad, Mom, Kayla, Grandma Debbie, Paw Paw)

We started off the evening at Grandma Debbie and Paw Paw's for a Christmas Dinner. We ate like cows because it was delicious! Grandma Debbie always feeds us good. We sang Christmas songs and then exchanged gifts. Kayla and Callie got lots of goodies and we really loved seeing everybody. On Christmas Day Charlotte's cousins and Uncle Brad and Aunt Nina headed out for Wyoming to visit Nina's side of the family. Family is definitely the reason for the season!

(Jerry got to hold Charlotte just before we opened gifts)

Afterwards, when the weather and the roads finally cleared up enough (it seemed like the covenant was broken and God was flooding the earth for a little bit) we headed out to midnight mass.

(Rachel got plenty of games from Santa. She also got a certificate to adopt a puppy!)

After mass we went out to Grandma Gail's and drank a little eggnog and visited with Aunt Michelle and Uncle Brendan for a little bit - but then it was off to bed because we didn't get back until 12:30! We didn't want Santa to skip our house!

(Aunt Cathy and Uncle John - my Godparents!)

The next morning we opened gifts and ate Christmas Quiche! YUM! I always need my mama's Christmas quiche, it's just not the same otherwise! Then we headed out to my Godmother's house in Arkadelphia.

(Aunt Michelle loved loving on her little niece!)

We had a lot of fun while we were there. We ate AGAIN and opened more gifts. I love visiting myAunt Cathy - she is so much fun and has the best taste in clothes! Overall it was the best Christmas ever!

(Grammy got Charlotte the cutest little outfit that had a little tutu built in!)

We hope everybody we didn't get to share Christmas with also had the best Christmas they could have and stayed safe and warm!

(My sweet little brother, we're really going to miss him while he's in basic gettin' fit!)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Papa Craig Provides Again

(Criag's Hogs December 17, 2009)

So Craig went hunting yesterday and got himself some hogs! He says that wild pig tastes better than farm raised pig, so I look forward to trying out some of these loins - or the rump for a roast. I really like feeding Craig's kills to the missionaries. This is because Craig mostly kills deer and I hate eating deer, and the missionaries aren't allowed to turn down food. So even if they don't like it, they'll eat it, and that way it gets eaten and I don't have to buy meat elsewhere. It's a pretty good deal. I'm really proud of my husband that he can hunt and kill for us if it's necessary. Also, I think it's a great hobby!

We're really looking forward to Christmas being right around the corner. Nothing is better than having the families all together!

Baby Got Shots!

Today Craig and I took Charlotte to the Family Medical Clinic to get her first round of baby shots. I couldn't bare to be in the room with Craig and Charlotte, but I could hear her from the waiting room. Poor baby! The shots used to be administered one at a time as five separate shots. Now, they are condensed into three separate shots - so that probably makes it a little easier on the little babies.

While we were there, they weighed little Charlotte and she is 14.1 lbs! My grandmother told me that babies double their weight in 6 months, and Charlotte has just about doubled her weight in just 3! She was a big baby to begin with and is taking after her father more and more. The nurse, while she was weighing Charlotte, commented on how much Charlotte takes after Craig - her weight is just another attribute she inherited from her father. I have to take Charlotte back in 8 weeks for another appointment.

Vacation and a Safe Return Home

Craig and I loaded up Charlotte and Shiner Sunday, November 29, 2009 for another trip to Little Rock. Craig had a business meeting for a whole week in North Carolina and then the Shelton Families went to Branson for vacation together. While we were on our way to Little Rock, Shiner jumped out of the back of the truck. We were traveling at 75 MPH and going over a bridge. Luckily, our dog survived. Because we were going over a bridge there was a chance another car could have come behind us and ran Shiner over. But he's a pretty lucky dog, though he's not a very smart dog.

While Craig was busy in North Carolina, I took advantage of spending some time with his family and with mine. Grandma Debbie and Grandpa Billy loved spending time with Charlotte. Craig says they spoil us...he might be right, but we don't mind!

I also spent some time with Grandma Gail in Bryant. We didn't get to do much together because she's VERY busy with her school. It's important to work hard in school. Due to Grandma Gail's diligence and perseverance, she is the valedictorian of her class and graduated with ALL A'S! Congratulations Grandma Gail! We can't wait for her to be done though so she can join in on some fun!









When Craig got back into town we all got ready to go to Branson. We all had quite a lot of fun while we were there. We went to the Bass Pro Shop which was a lot cooler than it sounds. It is a huge building full of pretty cool stuff. At one point they have a painted ceiling that looks like you're under water - part of it has a man sticking his hand in a 'catfish hole' to catch a catfish, they call it 'noodling'. They also had an alligator, and several fish tanks full of neat fish like gar. They also had a giant, fake bear that we all posed under and a waterfall with fake, life-sized elk. It was very cool.





We ate at several delicious restaurants. One in particular was called Lamberts. They had really good food that they took by the tables and gave you as much as you wanted. These included fried okra - which wasn't so bad for okra, and fried potatoes - which were beyond delicious, and macaroni and tomatoes, etc. They also threw the most delicious rolls at you. It was good. (www.throwedrolls.com)





We did a little shopping and stayed at the Condo a bit, too. While at the Condo, Craig did Kayla's hair in a French braid - which Grandma Debbie had to go back and fix. But it was fun for the two of them. Also the Condo had an outdoor hot tub. Yes, it was freezing cold outside, but that hot tub felt really good.



When we returned from Branson, and Little Rock, Craig and I learned there was a surprise birthday party for a friend of ours, so we had to get in on it! Tricia and KC did a great job of hosting the party and of course Cristi let me in on it. So Happy Birthday Melissa!