Christmas in review...

Hey Friends and Family,

Oh, how we LOVE Christmas! We wish we could be in two places at once...but I guess once you are married you have to split the holidays. So since we were with the Robbins/Biddle gang for Thanksgiving and Nick & Kelly's wedding, we headed to Cabot, AR for Christmas with the Medlin gang! What a blast we have had! With a niece and nephew, Alana Grace and Jonathan, there were very few dull moments. My mom was incredible and had food and candy everywhere! We played outside quite a bit (a lot of the fam is training for 1/2 marathons, etc) and went to some movies (Marley & Me, Bedtime Stories...both VERY CUTE!). We really have been so blessed. Shay got some new tennis shoes, money, gift cards, and a box of pepper sauce! He loves tabasco hot sauce of any kind. I got UGGS, a Central Perk coffee cup, knock off purses from NYC, and a new fleece. It was a BLESSING of a Christmas! We all sat one night and truly felt overwhelmed that we had meals, presents, and a "normal" Christmas with so many families with the economic status of our nation struggling during this time. It's humbling and I pray we give back as much as we receive with our money, our hearts, and our lives. 

Shay and I are headed back to Branson, MO (HOME) tomorrow morning and we will spend some down time at home. It truly has been an unbelievable time at home. As I put it..."My heart is full of family." What a great way to leave...full hearted!

We pray each of you had a memory filled Christmas with joy, hope, and love of the true reason for Christmas. I always am amazed at the Christmas story...what would Mary have felt hearing she had God's son in her, what would the first night with the baby Jesus have been like, the questions keep coming with each detail of Luke 1 & 2. God is so creative in how He wrote the perfect story to reach and show his CHILDREN (us) His love and grace in our lives. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR,

Shay & Ashley 

Jason & Pauline brought ROCK BAND and we have played it non-stop. Such a blast!
Another rock band action shot. I'm intense! 
Jonathan (J Lace...his nickname) is hysterical on the drums. He got a little guy drumset that stayed in Arlington at his house...praise the Lord!
One night Mamma taught us all how to play Mexican Dominoes. We think she made up her own rules as she went because she killed us all. This picture doesn't do justice to how much we laughed during this game.
J Lace in his new F-150 that Uncle Michael got him. He LOVED it!
Pauline and her precious Alana Grace. Pauline was about to take off for her 4.5 mile run.
The runners of the fam...we all did a 4.5 mile loop around Magness Creek. It was quite a run! Shay was barely breathing hard...showoff! Just kidding!
Alana Grace and J Lace in Arlington before they came to Cabot. They are wearing their new Christmas pjs. So so so cute!
Uncle David and Aunt Krista came by! So great to see them...even though Uncle David gave me bunny ears in the pic! Always a jokester!
Uncle Michael was the hero of Christmas! Jonathan loved his truck!
Mamma and mom in the kitchen. They cooked deliciously all week!
Michael got Shay a sweat-wrist band watch. We had seen it the day before and Michael got it being funny...Shay was mr. comedian with this silly thing.
Uncle Michael wrestling with Jonathan.
Shay and I went and ate Sunday lunch with Mamma and met all her friends. It was so cute! Mamma has great friends and a hectic schedule now that she lives out at Baptist Health Retirement Center. She loves it and Shay and I decided it was like College for elder people. I told Mamma she needed to start a sorority...she just laughed at me!
Uncle Shay and Aunt Ashley got Jonathan a robotic dinosaur. It scares Alana Grace though...oops!
Uggs and knock off designer purses...what else does a girl need! 
Mom was so excited to give Shay his "hot sauce." Sort of an inside story to this gift.
I get Dad a stuffed Teddy bear every year with a reason behind the bear. This year I bought a really soft dog that looks like Patches...my dog when I was little and then became my dad's best friend through his fall and recovery. He passed away a few years ago and this stuffed dog looked just like him.
Michael got us a shower head...quite the gift giver! Kidding...we love it!
Shay and I after the Grace Community Church Christmas Eve service. 
Jonathan, after a long day of driving his truck, was pooped! How cute is this kid!
My sister and I! She is such a great role model of a mom! She is really great and the Medlins are lucky to have her as a member of our family!
This pic is also from Jason & Pauline's house in Arlington. This was before their Christmas Eve service. Again...I have the cutest niece and nephew ever!!!!