Somebody's Been Very Good

Actually, I think I just whined and moaned enough for the last month about Mark never surprising me or making any effort with gifts that he was determined to prove me wrong this year--and he did! I was secretly hoping he would get me a new camera but I was afraid to get my hopes up! So I was SUPER. EXCITED. to get this little baby on Christmas morning!!
I've been dying for a new camera (and especially this one--it does video and everything!) since the vacation incident with my other one. I didn't want to just go buy a cheap camera so I've borrowed Mom and JJ's and gone without until I could get what I wanted! I found this under the tree on Christmas Eve night. I actually made the mistake of telling Mark that if he really wanted to surprise me he should have hidden it until Christmas morning. I had to repent of that comment later! He tried to trip me up by wrapping a note and sending me on a hunt for the camera. I must brag on him.... he did a great job and I was surprised!! And I know you all are so excited for me to begin posting pictures again! I told him my loyal blog following (all 5 of you!) would be excited for me too!

And, by the way, I actually stuck to the deal this year about not buying presents for each other so I felt like a heel when he had nothing other than some new socks. Hey... I bought him a Wii last year to surprise him and he took it back. Trying already to think of something good for his birthday next month to make up for it!

A Baby Changes Everything

Merry Christmas!!!!

Happy Birthday, Mimi!

Mom has the great misfortune of being born on Christmas Eve. We've tried each year to make it stand out from Christmas, but it doesn't always work out that way with all the hoopla. That was the case this year; however, her presents were a surprise and big hit so I hope that makes up for it.

Happy Birthday, Mom! You are truly a special person. I've been thinking that you must be since your birthday is almost shared with Jesus! I hope it goes without saying that we all love you!!

Looky What I Found

I have known for the last year there was a box in my laundry room with some leftover Christmas stuff in it but I've never paid much attention to it. So tonight I've been looking for 3 movies and a scarf that I've lost that are absolutely driving me crazy! (One of them is "Christmas Vacation" that I've never seen all of!)... anyway, I just went through that box and found some stocking stuffers from last year (can you say "regift?" My kids are 5 and 3--they won't remember!) And I also found a few of mine -- some very nice body lotion and an evelope with FIFTY. DOLLARS. in it!!! Yippee! Of course, Mark had to tell me that he thought it was his because he has been missing a $50 since last Christmas... oh well. The envelope has my name on it.

And....this just proves my point again that we have way too much stuff if we never even missed what we got last year!

Campbell Grace

As promised, here are a few pics of Campbell Grace that were taken yesterday. As you can see, she's a beauty!

Braxton was more interested in the coke than his new baby sis. We keep saying he has no idea how his world is changing!

She's Here!

My first (and probably only!) niece, Campbell Grace, arrived this morning at 10:25 a.m. She weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. and was 20 inches long. She's absolutely beautiful! I know I don't have a picture to prove it here, but you're just going to have to trust me on this one.

I have given JJ a hard time about letting me be in the delivery room and take pictures and let me tell you, I almost got to be! JJ had the easiest and fastest delivery ever and her sister April and I almost didn't make it out of the room before CG came! :) I told Mom that I would have 10 babies if it were that easy!! Of course, I'm kidding, because Mark always reminds me that they grow up! And I never had a pregnancy or delivery that easy anway! LOL!!

Pictures to follow tomorrow, I promise!!

Christmas Card Pic....Yeah, Right!!!

The boys had on their matching outfits Sunday so Mom wanted to try to get a picture of the kids for her Christmas card. Try being the key word here. As you can see, Braxton didn't really want to cooperate, even when we tried to bribe him with food. I probably wouldn't expect to get this card in the mail from Mom this year!! But aren't they cute???
I thought we would try to get a few shots of us since we were all dressed in our Christmas colors. Thank God that I already have a Christmas card ready (which is a pic of the kids taken at school together-woo hoo!) because none of these are Christmas card worthy. In fact, I can't even believe that I'm posting these now.

In the 30 or so pictures that Jamie took, my eyes are shut in all but about two of them.
So I tried to open my eyes wide.... not very attractive--but still better than shut!

I think Cooper is saying "I've had enough! You told me one more time 30 pictures ago!" Not sure what Mark is saying...
I'm sure I don't have to tell anyone how hard it is to get kids to smile and look the same way at the same time.... who knew it would be so hard for Mark and me too? Smile, Mark. Your expression says "mug shot."

I decided that there is a recurring theme in all 30 pictures and that our card should say:

"Merry Christmas from the Chin's!"

What do you think? I see a Wii Fit in our future!!!