Hayes Family: December 2011

Christmas in West Texas

Once again our holidays consisted of over 20 hours of driving time to, from, and around West Texas. I am often writing about our time there. We loved seeing all of our family. We missed only a few cousins and aunts and uncles. What a blessing to have two wonderful Christian families to share time with during the holidays!

During our rest stops on our 10 hour + trips to Lubbock, Braylon absolutely loves to stand in his car seat. I mean he delights in it.

Our first stop was in Round Rock with Aunt Jean and Uncle Ferman. We had a nice breakfast and some playtime.

Isn't that Grandmother's Christmas present from the grandchildren? How did you get in there, Braylon?

We love being in the country out at Welch at MiMi & Granddad's house.

This is Granddad & MiMi with 10 of the 13 grandchildren & 12 of the 14 great-grandchildren (3 more on the way).

The calm in the middle of the storm.

MiMi & Granddad and the grandchildren.

Us Hayeses minus Ryan (we missed you!) (in Kenya)

Brown Family

Hayes Family

Missing the other Hayes Family picture...

First time in a tractor. Looks like we have us a future farmer...

or a future hunter...

We love Aunt Tonya!

Braylon & Asher (2 months apart)

The Evans Family & Hayes Family

Granddad & Grammy with the three grandchildren.

"Grandmother, did you really make those things open again?"

Grandmother and 3 of the 6 great-grandchildren.

Aunt Linda reading Braylon a farm book with Uncle Mac relaxing.

Our attempt at taking a group picture of the kids with their gifts from Grandmother. No, that is not Braylon's chair.

And yet another picture attempt...

"Let me tear paper all day and that is all I need!"

The babies- Braylon & Kenzy.

This is not here because of the scary expression on Gary's face. It is because of my picture skills in capturing the flying helicopter.

2011 Christmas Card

Santa who?

Braylon met Santa for the first time the other night. I don't think his expression changed. He was kind of in a zone the whole time- but of course loving it all the same.

The Katy Tackle

Cousin Kenzy's 1st Birthday

Our sweet cousin Kenzy turned 1 at the end of November. We were thankful to be able to attend her party in Lubbock along with several other family members.

Mel created the best food spread for a lady bug party!

Katy, Gary, Kenzy, Melody, Grandmother, Becca, Braylon, Ben, Katie Beth, & Jonathan (this was the only picture where the majority of people are looking at the camera. Why is it so hard to get everyone focused on one camera at a time? There should be some rule about this...)

Oh Granddad just can't help but to love on all the grandchillin's.

Kenzy & her Great-Grandmother

The simple joys of life...

He's a natural.

I wish we lived closer to our North Carolina cousins. We love y'all!

Pals!

Kenzy, why do you have a balloon string around your neck?

Sisters? :)

Cousin fun!

A West Texas Thanksgiving!

What a wonderful time of year to be with family. Most of our family came together for Thanksgiving. It was a huge blessing to be surrounded by the people that we love and love us the most. As my Dad said, "This is how it is supposed to be." Thank you Lord for providing us with a Christian home and a Christian family. How truly Thankful we are to have grown up with many Christian examples in our lives. The food was also wonderful in Lubbock at Grandmother's house and the day after Thanksgiving in Canyon at Grandma Maxine's house. Who could pass up 4 Thanksgiving meals.