Mitchell's 1st Birthday

December was a very busy month not only with Christmas but it was also Mitchell's 1st birthday. We where not sure how to celebrate with it being the day after Christmas however, we had two celebrations. The first was at the Wiggins' Christmas gathering and the second was on his birthday at our house. He loved the cake and cupcakes as you can see. Happy First Birthday Mitchell. Mommy, Daddy, Devon and Rylee love you very much.

Dread head Dev No More

For those of you who don't know, yes after 8 plus years Devon decided to cut off his dreads. It was a decision that didn't come easy for Devon but he made that decision all on his own. Jason and I have always supported his freedom to express himself as long as he performed to his potential in school. So goodbye my dread head son! Jason and I miss his hair but know that Devon needed to do this to open a new chapter in his life. We are always proud of the person he has become.

Tis the Season

Wow, January is almost over. I've been trying to find the time to blog about the holidays but a walking Mr. Mitchell keeps me busy. Oh well I guess better late then never. We had a wonderful Christmas mostly because Mitchell was almost a year old and was very much into opening gifts. We spent the weekend before Christmas, 20th of Dec., at Granny and Papa Wiggins house. For a fun fulled time with 20 plus nieces and nephews and Jason's 5 siblings and their spouses. This is what Rylee and Devon look forward to every year. The gathering is a loud and exciting time for all. Christmas Eve was spent at Mawmaw and Papa Stark's house for a quite relaxing evening of dinner and gift opening. Papa Stark has a love for trains and had set up a train with tracks around the Christmas tree. Wow this was a big hit with Mitchell. He might follow in Papa's foot steps with his love for trains. Mawmaw's house was beautifully decorated and we all enjoyed her decorations. Christmas day was spent at our house. It began early somewhere around 6ish, with Ms. Rylee waking us up for Santa's visit. We then proceeded to wake up Devon and began opening gifts from under the Christmas tree. After mom and dad woke up and had several cups of coffee, as a group effort we started preparing Christmas dinner. What a great dinner it was too. The rest of the day consisted of laying around the house and watching Christmas movies and the children playing with their new gifts. We had a lot to be thankful for this year. The birth of our wonderful, handsome, great baby boy Mitchell. Devon graduating high school and starting college. And Rylee continuing to grow into this wonderful, caring girl. Her love for natural and animals is a huge part of who she is and continues to be so. Happy New Year to all and thank goodness 2009 is finally here!!

It's a Beautiful Day!!!

Yes, I know that we haven't blogged in awhile but I couldn't think of a better day to start. I feel that Bono said it best when he sang It's a Beautiful Day and that indeed it is. Most of us found ourselves mesmerized by the television watching the proudest moments of our lives. Kathy, Mitchell, Papa Paul and friend Bev sat in the warmth of the Wiggins's home watching the Inauguration of President Barack Obama. Devon was watching in between classes. Rylee was watching during lunch and during regular class. Jason went to our church and watched it with our church family. Little do either of the little ones truly understand what a life changing year this will be. I have keep clips throughout the year and can't wait to share it with Rylee and Mitchell when the both of them vote for the first time. Neither one of them will know a time when it was unheard of to have an African-American on the ballet. And we are sooo thankful of. What a great year to be American and to be raising a family. Happy 2009!!