New Year's Eve Football

This afternoon it was bowl time.  Right?  Nope.  It was time for Jack and Mark to go outside and try our their new goal posts.  They enjoyed kicking to both of their new goal posts.  They played some football and got Daddy to even take a few snaps.  Furthermore, their buddy Troy from down the street came up and joined them for a while.  All three boys had a blast.  A great way to end 2013.

Here they are:

Jack, watch me kick the field goal.  - Mark

Blue 14, Red 35, Omaha, Hut Hut

Now this is a face of someone who is thinking of something that he is about to do.  

Jack, from 35 yards out for the win!!! 

I made it! I made it! We won the game!!!! - Jack

Get off me while I try to make a play.  - Jack

Not if I can help it.  I am going to sack you! - Mark

Fun times in Kingsport

The next day, the boys wanted to test out some of their new gifts (along with bringing a couple of old favorites) with Mimi watching.  They had a great time kicking the football and playing hockey, even though it was a a little bit cold.

Here are a few pictures from the day:

The key of this song is in B Flat, Jack.  Make sure to remember that.  - Mark

Jack gives Mimi a kiss after she wins in Operation.

This dandelion is the "flower" I want to give to Mommy.  - Mark

Opening kickoff.  Jack puts his feet into this kick.  - Jack

Good form.  Look at how high my leg kick is.  - Mark

I just fell on the fumble. - Jack

Mark with the tackle of Jack.  Boys are enjoying being outside. 

Mimi, watch me celebrate after scoring a goal.  - Mark

Face-off time.

This is my hockey card photo.  - Mark

This is my hockey card photo.  - Jack

Christmas at Mimi and Poppy's

After we saw what Santa brought, we ate breakfast and packed the car and headed out on the road to Kingsport.  We arrived in Kingsport late afternoon and stopped for a little while to see Poppy at his nursing home.  It was good to see Poppy.  He was tired but dinner was coming to him in a few minutes.  He knew that the DeVault family was there to see him.

After leaving Poppy for the night, we went to Mimi's house and joined a bustling house that was already full of Morgans and Mimi.  Even though all four kids wanted to open presents first, we all needed to eat before that.  So we had a really good dinner and then got down to opening the gifts.  The kids were excited and had a blast opening their gifts.

Here are a couple of pictures from the evening in Kingsport:

Mark, Jack, Kate, and Macy waiting to start unwrapping.  It was SO hard for them to wait.

You think they are anticipating what could be inside?

Jack is a very happy boy.  Daddy enjoys seeing how happy Jack is.

Did Santa come?

On Christmas morning, we expected the boys to be up and at 'em very early.  Surprisingly, Mark came into our bedroom at 7:15 and then promptly fell back asleep.  Jack didn't come into our bedroom till around 7:45 (not that Mommy and Daddy didn't mind a little more shut eye).

We went downstairs to see if Santa came.  Much to our excitement, he did.  And he must have thought that Jack and Mark were very good (thanks Elfie!!) as Santa Claus was very good to them.  The only thing the boys didn't get that they asked for was a real football field with lines on it that they can play for.  Santa mentioned that a real football field wouldn't fit into a sled but Mommy and Daddy would take them to a middle school sometime to play on a real football field.

The boys got a saxophone, piano/keyboard, a baseball field with little players on it, a football field with little players on it, among other items.  Here are a couple of pictures from Christmas morning:

I can get around on my new scooter! - Mark

Mark and Jack discuss football strategy for this key play.

Our newest saxophone legend, Jack DeVault.

Hmm, what is in my stocking?  I like it!  - Mark

A new ball pit house that I can sit in.  This is awesome!  - Jack

OK, that is Brett Williams in Center and Jake Fincher in Right.  Mark, is Rodon pitching tonight for the Wolfpack?  - Jack

Merry Christmas! Happy Birthday Jesus!

Here is a video of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir singing "Happy Birthday Jesus!"  Thank you God for sending your Son to Earth.  We celebrate his birth on this day:

Just before Christmas Eve bedtime

The boys wanted to make sure that Santa had some cookies and milk before we all went to bed.  Mommy also wanted to make sure that she got our traditional picture of the boys in front of the fireplace.  This year, the boys wanted to say "Good-bye" to our Elf on the Shelf.

Here are a couple of good pictures:

Here is Elfie on the last day of his being a family member this year.

We are ready for Santa!!!

Christmas Eve

On the afternoon of December 24th, Granna and Grandpa came down to open up gifts at our house.  The boys were picked up by Daddy at preschool at lunchtime and are off until January 2.  They were telling everyone that Santa was coming during the night (but were also sad that Elfie (Elf on the Shelf) was leaving for another 11 months).  Jack and Mark again had a great time opening gifts...this time from Mommy and Daddy.

After we opened presents, we got dressed and went to church for our Christmas Eve service, which was very nice.

Here are a couple of pictures from Christmas Eve:

Brothers enjoying Christmas time together!

Look what Jack got me.  AIR HOCKEY!!! - Mark

Daddy is reading a Christmas card to Jack.

Daddy can't open a gift fast enough.  Time to help him.  - Jack and Mark

What in the world did Granna get for Christmas?  I need to go see.  - Mark

Let me show you what we got you Grandpa.  - Jack and Mark

The boys are so excited that they got a kicking tee.  

Time to open a new gift.  - Mark

Grandpa laughs at one of his gifts.  I wonder who gave it to him...Daddy?

Check out what Mark got me.  A new football.  I love it! - Jack

Hey, I got all 14 helmets of the ACC teams.  Cool!  - Jack

Woah!  Love this big ole recycling truck.  

Uhh, yeah.  I love this recycling truck.  Look how happy I am!  - Mark

Daddy and the boys before we head out for the Christmas Eve service.

Mommy with her boys before the Christmas Eve service.

Christmas at Granna and Grandpas

On the Saturday before Christmas, we celebrated part one of Christmas by going up to Granna and Grandpa's house to hang out with Mawmaw, Uncle Roger, and Terri.  Jack and Mark were so excited.  We had taken them to the NC State vs. ECU basketball game earlier in the day.  After the game (and the Wolfpack victory) was finished, we took the boys to get their haircut at Sport Clips.  They love going there as there are several TVs and ALL of them have sports on.

The boys enjoyed showing Mawmaw, Uncle Roger, and Terri how well they can:

A) Dribble a basketball

B) Kick a soccer ball

C) Throw a football

We had a good time with them and can't wait to see them again.

On Sunday, we went to church as usual.  After lunch, the boys took a nap...as usual.  After they woke up, we went back to Granna and Grandpas to open presents at their house.  We didn't take any presents from our house, but only opened up the ones under their tree.  

Jack and Mark could barely contain their anticipation in opening gifts.  They were very happy with what they got.  We appreciated everything they gave us.

Here are a couple of pictures:

Check out my new stuffed teddy bear.  - Jack

WOAH!!!! You guys are going to like this one.  - Mark

Uhh, Daddy, what is that on your head?  - Jack and Mark 

Daddy got a one year supply in the Jelly of the Month Club.  It is the gift that keeps giving the whole year.  

Children's Concert at Church

Last evening, the preschool children's choir joined forces with the young musicians and children's choir for the church wide concert featuring kids 10 and under singing their Christmas songs.  Mark and Jack were first up with the rest of the preschool choir.  When they got there and were set up, the boys were in the middle of the choir with everyone on each side of them.  It was like they were the center of attention, literally.

The choir sang 3 songs.  They did a really good job.  The boys sang a little louder than in their other concerts.  They must be getting used to singing in public now.

Here is the video of the concert:



Here are some pictures from the evening:

Ready to sing!

Good picture of them together.  They match the poinsettias.

All smiles as I walk down the aisle.  - Mark

Ready to sing loud!  - Mark

Sometimes, brothers need a shoulder to lean on.

Other times, we have to sing loud.

The children's choir.

Who is in the middle?  That's right.  Jack and Mark.

Brothers don't shake hands.  Brothers gotta ...oops, brothers do shake hands during a key stretch in one of the songs.