Santa Came

The tree after Santa came and before the kids woke up.

Aaron woke up first and I heard him downstairs checking to see if Santa had come. Going down before Mommy is a big no, no. I really want to see their faces when they see the gifts. P.K. had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so he was already downstairs working on his sermon. I called Aaron back upstairs and he got the girls up. Rachel looks really tired in this picture. There may have been a little extra drama displayed. We made them wait at the top of the stairs until we had the video camera ready.

Santa left their stockings on their stools at the breakfast bar because they were too heavy to hang after they were full. The loot all over the counter is from their stockings. The kids always go for the stockings first. I had a friend tell me her family's tradition was to look in the stockings first. I'm pretty sure when I was a kid, we did the stockings last. Santa cleaned his treats off of that plate. Hannah is reading the note that Santa left for them.

Here's the note.

Three happy faces after they opened their gifts. Hannah's favorite gift was a telescope, Rachel's was an MP3 player and Aaron's was his Legos. Aaron's overall favorite Christmas gift was his Swiss Army knife he got from P.K. and me.

I always make Monkey Bread for breakfast on Christmas morning in a Christmas tree pan. I put it together the night before and put it in the refrigerator so I can be free to help assemble toys and see all the treasures on Christmas morning.

Merry Christmas

I've had several people ask me why they didn't receive the Ray Family Christmas card this year. The answer is simple. I didn't do Christmas cards this year. I love, love, love sending and receiving Christmas cards. PK has suggested for the last couple of years that we just send out e-cards. I always tell him I think that it is nice to receive a card in the mail. This year just seemed a bit hectic and I decided to meet PK half way. My blog isn't email, right? I'm planning to get "real" cards out next year, so just sit back and wait.

The first bit of craziness involved in making a Christmas card is finding a time for everyone to sit down and take the photo. PK's work schedule does not allow a day off when the kids are off from school. So we finally found a day over Christmas break where everyone was home. I use to do a collage card of favorite pictures and events from throughout the year, but I post those on the blog now. It kind of seemed redundant. Last year we just did a couple pictures of the kids and one with PK and the kids.

Back to getting everyone ready for the photo op. Before we even sit down, we have to find coordinating clothes. When the kids were all really little, I just bought them matching outfits. This year I knew I wanted to wear a reddish turtleneck sweater that fits nicely, so it was a matter of finding everyone else something to match me. We finally got the outfits together, but when we decided on the family pose we wanted, Hannah was sitting on PK's lap. He was wearing a black sweater and she was wearing a black dress. A quick wardrobe correction to a red dress and we were good to go.

Eighty (yes, that is 8..0) shots later we finally got one where everyone kept their eyes open, hands down and looking at the camera. We actually came up with three.

The fam.

The kids (pre-wardrobe change).

The parents.

There you have it. The pictures that would have made it on the Christmas card had we sent one out.

Now a quick recap of the year and my "would have been" Christmas card is almost complete. Please feel free to link back to previous blog posts for a more detailed recap.

Rachel hit double digits this year and is in the fifth grade. She is in chorus at school and finished the Recorder Karate program. She is looking forward to playing an instrument in the middle school band next year. She is in her sixth year of Girl Scouts and loves it.

Aaron is 8 and in the third grade. He loves Legos, weapons , toy cars and planes, and anything gadgety. His "boyness" has really come out this year. He got a pet snake for his birthday and we all actually enjoy playing with the snake. He is in his third year of Boy Scouts. He and PK enjoy doing Scouts together.

Hannah started kindergarten this year. It is full day in Georgia. She loves school as much as Rachel. She started Girl Scouts this year and is a Daisy Scout. She loves animals and more than anything wants a puppy of her own.

PK is still a chaplain with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The work is hard, his schedule is crazy (he worked Christmas Eve and has to go in this morning…Christmas Day) and he would like to do more ministry, but God has used him there. He has faced challenges in being able to minister to the inmates, but always stands up for what he believes is the right thing to do. He spent the summer at Naval Station Great Lakes and will be activated there again from April to August.

I (Jody) am a room parent for both Aaron's and Hannah's classes. I seem to be at the school almost as much as the kids, but I love it. It is fun having all three of the kids at the same school this year. It is the only year that will happen. My biggest news is I am now a runner. I NEVER thought I would type that. My most recent long run was seven miles.

My Christmas card would not be complete without Christ. The kids and I were able to attend a church service at my home church in Evansville this past weekend. It was nice to be "home" for Christmas Sunday. The pastor I grew up listening to and learning from is still there and he brought a great Christmas message. He used that saying we have all probably heard, "Wise Men still seek Him" to encourage us to continue to seek Christ no matter our circumstances. As you venture into the new year, the Ray Family's prayer for you is that you will focus on Him and continue to seek after the One we celebrate today!!

Merry Christmas and Happy 2010!

Spies Like Us

They are trying to get the vent off to sneak through the secret passage.

Bang, Bang!

Aaron's "boyness" has really come out the past six months. He has always like playing with Legos and cars, but he seems to love it more these days. He is also really into learning about guns and playing with army guys.

While we were in Indiana for Grandma's birthday, my dad gave Aaron a tour of his gun collection. Aaron got to hold them all.

Papaw taught him to sit like that. Aaron got to hold guns and play with an old Army guy.

Grandma's 90th Birthday

My grandmother turned 90 and the family had a surprise party for her. P.K. had to work so the kids and I drove up to Indiana for a quick trip. It was so much fun.

The party was held in the fellowship hall at the church. By "the church" all family members would know that meant the church where Grandma is a member at and can been seen from her house. She was told that her kids and their spouses were going to have a Christmas dinner the Saturday before Christmas and would be renting the fellowship hall at the church. That was the day before her actual birthday.

Here is the fellowship hall set up before the party. The color blue we used was hard to find. It is darker than baby blue. My cousin's wife made a comment that she now calls that shade of blue Stoneberger blue because so many family members have it in their homes. Then I realized it is a throw back from the 80's. Think country blue and stenciled geese.

Aunt Diane made the cake and it was good. I should have had two pieces at the party because at the end Aunt Diane told Grandma that was her cake and she could even freeze the leftovers. After that, Grandma was not sharing.

Gabriel, Hannah, Lydia, Bethanie, Amaya, Aaron

Because Grandma didn't know the grandkids and great grandkids were going to be there we all hid in the gym that is just off the fellowship hall. I took it all in. It was so nice to see all the cousins and together. Only two couldn't make it and all but 4 of the 18 great grandkids were there. As we were hiding out in the gym, my cousin Eric said, "We sure have multiplied." Then as the little kids lined up, the comment was made that we could tell they are in elementary school because they all lined up so easily. Gabey isn't in school yet. I guess he just followed the crowd. Too cute.

Once Grandma was inside and seated we all processed out singing Happy Birthday. Aaron and my nephew Riely had on separate occasions voiced concern over sneaking up on an old lady and yelling "Surprise!" Neither of them thought it was a good idea. We made this big semicircle around her and then stood and stared at her for what seemed a very long time.

I don't know when the last time was that I was together with so much of the extended family in the same place. It was kind of funny to watch everyone grab their cameras and run if they thought it was a good photo op. I am guilty.

The great grandsons...Gabriel, Aaron, Riely, Justin, Darian, Jason.

The great grandaughters...Hannah, Amaya, Rachel, Alexis, Hailey, Bethanie and Lydia .

Grandma and me. My uncle sent me this picture. We must have been looking at another camera. It really was like having paparazzi with so many.

Grandma with her kids...Mary, Ann, Dan, Dennis.

Grandma and my cousin Crystal's kids...Amaya, Alexis, Gabriel and Darian. Gabriel has the cutest chubby cheeks ever. He knows when he sees me I am going to want to "get them."

Grandma with my kids...Hannah, Aaron and Rachel. Now that I am looking at the pictures, maybe I should have had them dress up a bit. But I knew they would be running around the gym.

Crystal got some really good shots that are classic Grandma.

Here she is blowing out her candles. Not so out of the ordinary, but...

this shot is classic. Grandma couldn't blow the candles out so she just licked her fingers and pinched them out.

I don't remember exactly what she said to crack herself up, but that is why she is laughing in this picture. She often gets herself tickled by something she says or does.

Notice the kid in the window. The gym is on the other side of that window. Some of the kids stayed in there to play while Grandma was opening presents. I don't know how long he was there, but eventually I looked up and saw Aaron making funny faces at everyone. I had to take a picture before I made him get down.

Grandma enjoyed the party and was happy with all of her gifts which were basically things like hard candy, slippers, a robe, etc. What do you really need at 90? When I went to her house the next day she told me about all the things she received. And I was warned that she did not want to share her cake!

Holiday Parties

The last day before Christmas Break the kids' school celebrates with class parties and Pajama Day! It is fun having all three of the kids at the same school this year. It will be the only year that happens. I am the room parent for both Aaron and Hannah's classes. Luckily the third graders don't party as often as the kindergartners so I haven't had any major scheduling conflicts. The good thing about P.K.'s non-traditional work schedule is it has allowed him to attend several morning functions at the school.

The older grades have a brunch for their holiday party. P.K. and I both popped into Rachel's classroom long enough to drop off our food contribution and some festive paper products. I helped serve the kids their yummy looking brunch which included a homemade blueberry French toast casserole that smelled WONDERFUL while P.K. snapped a few pictures.

This is Rachel with her teacher and a few of her peeps. Her teacher didn't wear her jammies. Party pooper!

Rachel's activities are a bit bitter sweet this year because I know there won't be such fun festivities once she starts middle school next year.

P.K. hung out with Rachel for a bit longer while I ran down to get brunch set up for Aaron's class. Notice the tray of pigs in a blanket. I made a double batch and the kids devoured them. Next year I'll have to remember to make even more of those.

P.K. snapped this picture of me in my jammies waiting for the kids to return to the classroom.

After they ate, they painted an ornament. This craft went over really well...

and their finished products were very creative. One of the grandparents gave me a generous gift card to use for items for the parties and activities with the class. I checked with Aaron's teacher and we decided it would be nice to use some of that money to purchase board games for the classroom. I wrapped them in multiple layers so all the kids were able to help open them.

Hannah's teacher has her class make gingerbread houses every year. That got me off the planning hook. I just had to show up and help set up.

Each parent was assigned an item to donate to be used in decorating the gingerbread houses. It was so much fun and I am sure that the kids ate as much of the sweets as they placed on their houses,

Hannah is hard at work.

The finished product.

Deck The Halls

I love decorating our Christmas Tree. It is a fake tree and even pre-lit. The hardest part of setting it up is remembering which plug goes where. The tree breaks down into three large pieces and each piece has an electrical cord that attaches to another part. I have labeled them in years past, but it still takes a few minutes to figure it all out.

Before we actually set up the tree, we have to work on our tree skirt.


I started it the Christmas before Hannah was born. Her first handprint (2003 at about 3 months old) was more of a hand smudge. When I first started making this tree skirt, I didn't think we would ever fill it up. Now we are running out of room. I am going to squeeze in a few more years, though.

Rachel hung the first ornament on the tree this year.

Most of our ornaments have a story attached to them. The kids have received a new ornament each year. The new ornament has often had something to do with each child's particular interest that year. Some of the ornaments are Thomas the Train, Strawberry Shortcake and Blue's Clues. Last year the kids' school did a fund raiser which allowed us to order one of their original artworks on an ornament. I got one of those for Rachel and Aaron last year and all three of them this year. When we decorate the tree, I sit in the floor and gently unpack each ornament, tell who it belongs to and any story that goes along with it. The kids wait for their own ornaments to be unpacked and hang those. I let them take turns hanging the ones that belong to me. As we add new ornaments, I write a note and pack it with the ornament so we won't forget why that one is special.

We finish the tree by having P.K. put the star on top.

He's A Boy

Aaron and I had some time alone this afternoon. Hannah was at a birthday party and Rachel was at a friend's house.

As we were running errands, we drove past a Home Depot. This is the conversation that took place.

Aaron: Hmmm. There's a Home Depot. I need to go in there some time.

Me: Why? What do you need from Home Depot.

Aaron: I need to get a pick ax.

Me: (Trying not to giggle and thinking I didn't even know he knew what a pick ax was.) Why do you need a pick ax?

Aaron: Well, I could do stuff with it. It is like the pocket knife. I just feel like I need one.

He put a pocket knife on his Christmas list this year. I had mentioned it to P.K. and he told me this is the year that Aaron will actually use it in Boy Scouts. I am not against him having a pocket knife. I grew up around men who probably got their first pocketknives about the time they learned to walk. I just didn't know what he would do with it. After our conversation this afternoon, I realized it must be a boy thing. Just like I have the desire to buy more shoes (I do resist. I did not buy any new shoes this fall or winter. I really want a new pair of black boots, but I can't justify it. I totally digress), he has a desire to own gadgety things that men may need.

Last weekend I was at a dollar store where everything is actually a dollar. He saw a toy gun and I think he was practically salivating over it. It was a dollar so he got it. He has played with it every day since. It came with little arrows with the suction cups on the end and Aaron has loved finding other things that will fit in the hole and fire from the gun. Nice.

He has other toy guns, so this was really nothing new. However, the day he first got it, I came out of my room and he was standing in the hallway. I really didn't acknowledge him until he said in a very matter of fact way, "I have a gun." The way he said it was like he was telling me he had finished his homework or he was going to go play. It was like he just felt the need to express his manhood by telling me he had a gun. Too funny.

Hannah's First Sleepover

A guest post by Hannah, age 6.

My friend Paige invited us to a party and our teacher Mrs. Honeycutt came by. And she took her kids. We stayed up late. We watched a little bit of two movies. All of the girls got to sleep over including me. We got candy. And we got ice cream after breakfast on the second day. We played a video game. And we also did a fashion show. I looked like a fairy with my wings. We got our own little stuffed animal that was named Schmorg. It was fun and we played again and again and again. And we played some more. We made our own little designs with glitter glue. We decorated a frame. And we had so much fun. We played with the scooter in the house. Sometimes the other guests were not happy. And why you ask they weren't happy? First of all we played with the scooter and Bess wasn't happy because she thought I was doing the scooter too long. She played with it too long. They wouldn't even give me a minute. But the next day they were happy again. On the second day in the morning when it was early it was snowing. We slept in the livingroom and early in the morning for the cat Bessie's breakfast she got to eat leftover pizza. Bessie is the neighbor's cat, but Paige's is allowed to let Bessie in the house and they are allowed to play with her. I'm allowed to feed Rocky the dog.

We played with Rocky the dog. And I played fetch with him inside the house.

This One..

is behind on several blog updates and she is going to try to cover some of them in this post. She may also throw in a few more tidbits from our recent trip. She also wants everyone to know that this is not the best photo of her, but it is the only recent one she has of herself alone. She had just purchased that sweater and her ten year old daughter was taking a picture so she could post it on Facebook to get opinions as to whether or not she should keep it. For all inquiring minds, she decided to keep the sweater. The style is a bit outside of her comfort zone, but it fits nicely.

She was very busy the two weeks before Thanksgiving break helping prepare for the school book fair. The Scholastic Theme this fall was "Destination Book Fair." This was her decorating contribution. It is a hot air balloon surrounded by items that represent different destinations. Another parent wrote "Let Books Take You To a New Destination" across the sky behind the balloon. It was lots of fun to make!

She had a great visit with this one (Cynthia) and this one (Shannon) and really missed them while shopping on Black Friday. This is a picture of them enjoying the fire and watching the kids roast marshmallows in Shannon's backyard.

This one...

was selected by her teacher to receive the Terrific Kid Award from the Kiwanis Club. Her parents know she and her brother and sister are terrific, but they are glad that the Kiwanis Club wanted to recognize it!

This one...

on the left received her Black Belt in Recorder Karate. She loves playing and practices without being reminded. She is trying to decide which instrument she would like to play in middle school next year. She is leaning toward the flute or clarinet. She also loves being in chorus. At the Veteran's Day concert she had a solo. She is very self confident!!

This one...

loves reptiles and dreams of opening The Ray Reptile Rescue Center when he is older. That dream came in very helpful when his mom found a lizard in the curtains in the living room. He found a container and bravely rescued and released the lizard. The snake in the bottom right of the picture is not real. His little sister was holding it in an attempt to frighten the poor lizard into submission.

This one...


is not afraid to have a little fun when hanging with his peeps. This is a shot with Perry while the guys were touring the distilleries.


He learned to play corn hole while we were on our trip. He was pretty good and thought it was fun. He was also relieved to learn that it did not involve throwing corncobs.

He is now back to work. His wife and kids are going to wait for him to get home to decorate for Christmas tonight.