All day today, Kevin has been "reading" us a little book. He is SOOO proud of himself. It has been so sweet to see his excitement and sense of achievement. Then, tonight, he ran downstairs with Kaiden and informed Chris and I that he had taught Kaiden to read. In this video, Kevin (4 yrs) is helping Kaiden (2 yrs) to "read." My heart was just about to bust, as you can imagine!

Christmas 2008

The Mantooth's just got home from a two week vacation visiting family for Christmas. We started our trip at my parent's where we woke up Christmas morning. Then, on the 27th, we traveled to Arkansas to visit Chris's family. We arrived back home to our own beds Jan. 3rd exhausted but thankful for our wonderful family and our time with them. Here are some highlights. The kids are modeling their new pj's that they open as their first gift every Christmas Eve.

This is my entire immediate family together on Christmas morning for the first time in who knows how many years. They are all eager for me to stop taking pictures so that they can get to digging through their stockings.

Thanksgiving day, my grandpa fell and broke his leg. It has been a long month with him in the hospital. We were all thankful to have him home for Christmas on a 4 hour pass. We all had a very special time together.

Once we got to Arkansas, we got to celebrate Christmas all over again! Here the kids are cuddling around Carolyn, Chris's mom, aka Grandma. They have just opened gifts.

One night while in Arkansas, we decided to go to Chris's grandparent's house and build a fire. We had dinner out there!!! We put hot dogs on sticks and roasted them. Carolyn had brought the buns and fixings. Then we roasted marshmallows for dessert. Granddad even brought out one of his lawn mowers and gave the kids a ride.

We had a great time! I hope you had a very merry Christmas also, cherishing family and remembering Christ's birth. Happy New Year to all!!!!