NC State vs. Western Carolina

Today, we took the boys to the NC State basketball game versus Western Carolina.

The boys love going to basketball games.  Mark really gets involved watching the games and he knows when to clap and when not to.  Jack likes the basketball game, but REALLY enjoys listening to the State band.  Here is a quick video of the boys clapping along to the fight song during the game.



Oh yeah, State won handily today.  Always a good day when State wins.

Christmas in Tennessee

On Christmas day, we traveled to Kingsport.  On the way, Jack decided to put all of the books in the car on his lap.  Check him out.

It was an easy drive to Tennessee (very few trucks out on Christmas).  Once there, it was good to see Mimi, Poppy, Aunt Janet, Uncle Jarett, Kate, and Macy.  Kate really wanted us to go on and open presents.  But we had to eat Christmas dinner first.  Mimi fixed a very good Christmas dinner, and Tom the Turkey was as good as he has ever been.  Then we all dug in and prepared to open gifts.  It was chaotic but very enjoyable. 

The next day we went to the Bristol Motor Speedway and saw the Speedway in Lights.  There were lights on the drag strip, in the parking lots, and even inside the track.  We drove the Pilot around one lap the Bristol track and saw a huge Christmas tree.  Jack and Mark had a great time.  Poppy was in the car with us and all had fun looking at the lights.  Mark really wanted to see Santa Claus.  He saw 9 Santa Claus decorations. 

The cousins really enjoyed playing with each other.  Mimi and Poppy said that there is nothing better than having the entire family together for the holidays.  Here are some pictures from the time in Kingsport:

Kate hugging her cousins.

Jack and Macy playing with Legos.

Mark and Kate checking out where Kate and Uncle Jarett were bunking.

Mimi gets help playing Jingle Bells from Mark and Jack.

Daddy hold his boys with Matt and his boys (Camden - 8 months and Carson - 5).  Craig and Matt were brothers from another mother (and daddy).  Matt is a teacher and worship leader at a Christian school in Bakersfield, California.  It was really good to see him, his wife Amy, and their two boys.

Mimi and Poppy read bedtime stories to the boys who are sporting their football sleepers.

This is our house.  We just let Mimi and Poppy live here.  - Jack and Mark

Grandparents and Grandchildren.  Does it get any better?

Christmas Eve service

We joined Trinity Baptist Church in December 2004, a few months after we were married. Until this year, we had never been to their Christmas Eve service.  We were either in Kingsport with Craig's parents or in Gastonia with Heather's parents.  Last year we were in Raleigh, but all of us were sick as a dog.  It was ugly.  But this year, everyone was healthy and we were looking forward to going to the Christmas Eve service.  We were glad we went as it was very nice and gave us something to look forward to in the new year.  Before we went, we took a few pictures of the family:

The DeVault family.  Craig, Mark, Heather, and Jack.

Mark and Jack with Granna and Grandpa.

The boys running to the car to go to church.

Christmas Morning

As we mentioned in the earlier post, Christmas came to the DeVault household one day early.  When the boys woke up, we went downstairs and wanted to see if Santa Claus had visited during the night.  He certainly did.  Look what he left the boys.

Santa was very good to the boys this year.

Jack was so excited to get on a bike he got on Mark's.

Mark didn't care.  He jumped on Jack's bike with no problem.  Good thing Santa gave them the same tricycle.  He is really smart.

Jack playing his harmonica.  He is really good.

WOAAHHHHH!!! A train table.  Very cool.  Thanks Santa.  - Jack and Mark



After we got dressed, we had to test out the new bikes.

We just love our new tricycles. 

Chrsitmas with Granna and Grandpa

This year Christmas fell on a Sunday.  And with the DeVaults driving to Kingsport on Sunday, we decided that it would be best for the boys to enjoy their gifts if we opened gifts on the night of the 23rd, with Santa coming to the DeVault house in the wee hours of the 24th (provided the boys were on the nice list of course).    Then they could play with their new toys all day on the 24th before going to Kingsport on Christmas day.  (This is probably the last time we can manipulate the days around Christmas as they will be getting to the age next year where they understand Christmas Eve/Christmas better).

When Granna and Grandpa came over, we asked Mark and Jack who all of the presents were for that were under the tree.  They replied with "Mama and Dada."  After we all laughed and took a few pictures in front of the Christmas tree, we divvied up the gifts and the boys started opening their gifts.  They really were into opening the gifts this year much better than last year.  After opening their gifts, we asked them what was their favorite gift.  They had the same reply.  They loved their new red violins. 

At daycare, their music teacher has a violin and plays it regularly.  The boys have a guitar that they play all the time at home.  However, they always hold the guitar like it is a violin, so we put two and two together.  Now they have their very own violins.  They boys really enjoyed Christmas this year, as did we.  The parents and grandparents all enjoyed watching Jack and Mark.

Here are a couple of pictures from the evening:

Posing in front of the Christmas tree.

Grandparents and Grandchildren.  Does it get any better?

The DeVault family in front of the tree.

Jack shows off his latest present, a Pillow Pet that is the NC State Wuf.

Mark shows Daddy his NC State Wuf ornament.

The boys give a duet playing their new violins.

Mark wearing his new toboggan looks at the ornaments on the tree.

Jack is so pooped that he is ready to take a nap on his new pillow pet.

Uhh, have we mentioned they are twins?

Wearing their Santa sleepers...check

Put out cookies and milk...check

Waiting on Santa...check

Funny videos

Here are a couple of videos taken this week during bath time that are very funny.

1.  Who invented the Internet?  Is it Al Gore????  Tell us Mark.


2.  Best Friends


3.  Singing in the Bathtub

Christmas Photos and Christmas Card

Here is our Christmas Card:

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Here is Jack and Mark's Christmas portrait:

Need I say anything else but WOW!

Here are some of the photos from our Christmas shoot that were used in creating the Christmas card.

The family portrait.  Have you ever seen a family that needs to be in a Chaps ad more than this one?

Ladies, the name is Mark.  I am too cute.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

My name is Jack, and I am handsome.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Brothers don't shake hands.  Brothers gotta hug!

Jack and Mark...best friends!

Making a Gingerbread house

Later that Saturday, while Mama and Papa, Roger, Teri, and Evi headed back to Gastonia, the boys went home and took a nap.  When they woke up, we went to the annual gingerbread house making party at one of our neighbor's house.  Our neighbor, Joan, who lost a son a few years ago, takes a lead role in organizing activities for the neighborhood children.  She is very active with the neighborhood pool association.  She also has hosted this Christmas party at her house.  In the afternoon, children come over and make gingerbread houses, play the Wii, and play with some toys.  In the evening, she orders pizza and the neighborhood children and their parents watch a movie. 

Jack and Mark had a good time making their gingerbread houses.

Here are a couple of pictures from the event:

Mark and Daddy decide how best to start decorating the house.

Jack and Mommy show off their house.

We show off our gingerbread houses with Joan.

Christmas with the entire Dills family

On Saturday, the Gastonia Dills family came up to Raleigh.  Mama, Papa, Roger (known to the boys as Rara), Teri, and Evi came up to Raleigh to see everyone and celebrate Christmas.  Granna fixed a big lunch for us and everyone enjoyed a good meal.  Afterwards, Evi, Jack, and Mark really had a good time playing together.  We gave Christmas gifts out to everyone.  Mama, Papa, and Uncle Roger really liked their photo books and calendar of the boys as well as the boy clay handprints that we had made.  It was good to see Mama and Papa come up to Raleigh for the day.  The added bonus of getting Roger to bring everyone up in one car was even better.  We were sad that they had to leave early but were glad that everyone was able to spend some time with the family.

Here are a couple of pictures from the day:

Mama and Papa look at the 2012 calendar they got of the boys.

Uncle Roger talks to Jack and Mark about pictures in the calendar.

Granna reads a book to Mark and Evi.

Uncle Roger and Mark are some kind of happy!

Evi and Jack run after the football as Mark is still in throwing position.

Mama and her three great-grandchildren.  Notice the unique necklace Mama has on.  It is a necklace that Jack made at school one day.

Papa and his three great-grandchildren.

Before Evi had to leave, she gave Jack and Mark a big hug.

Mark is working on his drumming ability to become our little drummer boy.