Christmas pajama pictures

In December, we went to the mall to get some pictures taken.  We decided to have some fun with the boys and let them wear their pajamas.  Jack and Mark had a great time wearing their pajamas and getting their pictures made.   It showed.  Look at these very cute pictures:

Belk Bowl

On December 30, NC State played Mississippi State in the Belk Bowl which was played in Charlotte. It was first bowl game for Jack and Mark.  They were really looking forward to it.  We drove down to Ablemarle on the 29th and spent the night with the Jungs.  With them 45 minutes away from the stadium, we could have a leisurely morning before going to the game. With all of the rain we had received over the past few days, we were hoping for the rain to stop for the game.

That didn't come to pass.  It rained most of the morning and afternoon.  It rained while we ate lunch in downtown Charlotte.  Luckily we all had our rain suits on.  Unfortunately, both Jack and Mark's rain suits were not of the best quality and both ripped.  Jack's was a big enough rip in the middle of his jacket that we stopped at a store on the way into the stadium and taped it up with some packing tape.

After we heard Carrie Underwood sing walking into the game, we got there early enough to watch the teams warm up.  We had good seats around the 35.  The boys were very excited.  Then the game started.  The first play was an interception by Mississippi State and that started the tone.  Quickly it was 21-0.  The Pack cut it to 21-14 but never could get a chance to tie or take the lead.  They wound up losing 51-28.

It rained the entire time.  We left in the 4th quarter.  We ate dinner on the way home and wound up staying at the Jungs another night.

While we were glad we went to a bowl game, we all would rather have the Pack win..and the rain would stay away.

Here are some pictures from the bowl trip:

Ready for the bowl game! - Jack and Mark

Outside the stadium ready to go in!

The game hasn't started yet but we are ready to go! - Jack and Mark

Go Pack! 

It rained so much that Mark's red hat bled onto Mark's forehead.

Our seats for the game.  Not too bad!

Christmas in Kingsport

On the day after Christmas, we got up, ate a quick breakfast, and hit the road.  We got to Kingsport a little after lunch.  It was really good to see Mimi and the Morgans.  We opened gifts and ate a good meal.  Then, we went to go see Poppy and feed him dinner.  Poppy was tired but he ate a good dinner.

The Morgans had to leave that night to go back to Knoxville.   We enjoyed seeing them, even though it wasn't for long enough.  The next day, we went to church and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon with Mimi.  The boys enjoyed playing basketball on the same hoop that Daddy played a lot when he was a kid.  We also went to the carousel and rode it 3 times.  The boys LOVE that carousel.

That night, we drove to the Bristol Speedway to see the "Speedway in Lights."  This is a Christmas lights spectacle that encompasses the race track, the drag strip, and the surrounding grounds.  The boys had a great time.

We had a great trip to Kingsport and look forward to going back soon.

Cousins ready to open presents.

I really like this carousel! - Mark

I also really like this carousel! - Jack

Happy Birthday Jesus!

With our change in plans, we had lunch out on the screened in porch.  Jack and Mark wanted to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.  We had bought two cupcakes a couple of days earlier for Christmas Day.  So while eating outside on Christmas Day in 65 degree warmth, the boys sang Happy Birthday to Jesus!  It was a very heart warming scene to see.

Jack sings Happy Birthday!

Mark sings Happy Birthday!

Christmas Day Surprises

On Christmas morning, the boys RAN into Mommy and Daddy's bedroom promptly at 7 AM, which was the earliest that Mommy and Daddy told Jack and Mark they could come into our bedroom.  Then we all ran downstairs to see if Santa Claus came during the night.  He sure did.  Look at what Santa brought.

Playing the baseball game while Russell Wilson and Mr. Wolf watch on! - Jack

Jack and Mark getting ready to play their electric football game (and not to mention the microphone that Mark is holding)!

When we were getting ready to go to Kingsport to see Mimi and Poppy, we got a call from Aunt Janet.  Macy had gotten sick overnight and they weren't sure it was something she ate or if it was a stomach bug.  Since our family had completely gone through the wringer with the stomach bug a few weeks before, we decided to be safe and stay in Raleigh for one more day.  That made our Christmas day a lot different than normal.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is a special day for a lot of people around the world, including the DeVaults.  We had a busy day, although the morning wasn't too chaotic.  After eating lunch with Granna and Grandpa, we opened gifts with them.  Everyone had a lot of fun seeing the excited faces, from Jack and Mark getting an electric NFL football game to Grandpa getting a 2016 President Barack Obama countdown calendar.

After we finished, we all got dressed and went to church for the Christmas Eve service.  It was very nice.  As usual, it reminds everyone of the real meaning of the season.  The boys were happy that at the end of the service, when the crowd all lit their candles, they participated like all the adults, holding their own candle.  They thought that it showed how much older they have gotten.  It was pretty cool to see their faces.

When we got home, we had a little dinner and got ready for bed, so Santa could come.  Jack and Mark picked out what cookies to give Santa.  All in all, a really good day.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Smiling right before opening gifts.

Ready for Christmas Eve service!

We are two cool customers.

Now, we are just relaxed.

The happy family at church.

In front of the tree inside the Narthex at church.

The annual picture inside on the rocking chairs that GG gave Jack and Mark.  They are ready for Santa to come during the night.

Christmas Lights tour

Over the past few weeks, we went around the area to see some Christmas lights on houses.  We saw all sorts of displays.  Some were big on yard ornaments and blow up people, while others included music and a light display.  The boys loved all of them.  One of our friends' parents have a huge display of yard ornaments and blow ups.  They even let the boys walk through their yard.  Here are some pictures from the houses we saw:

Santa showing off his backside!

Mr. Wolf roasting a sheep!  Yummy!

The Santa Claus family with Jack and Mark

Jack and Mark looking at the nativity scene.

Two of the biggest joys in our life.  Jack and Mark!