Finishing out 2010

Another year comes to a close and life, as usual, is flying by. If only we could hit pause to thoroughly enjoy the precious moments of our children's lives...and fast forward through the trying moments! 2010 has been an eventful year and we have learned more about ourselves as we parented our children through the terrible twos and the 'fantastic' fours. God has provided and blessed us with enormous joy. I pray that we appreciate all His gifts to the fullest and that we never take these blessings for granted. The journey continues into 2011 and the 4 Claytons look forward to seeing what is in store for us all!

Christmas Day 2010!!!!

Santa out did himself this year! This picture doesn't really do him justice; there were presents stuck in every nook and crannie of these two vehicles! I don't know how he fit all of this stuff in his sleigh, but that's not for me to understand!!!!




Anyone that remotely spoke to little Gray-man this season knows that all he wanted for Christmas was a huuuggggeeee garbage truck...."da kind dat da mens drive in da morneeeing time" Well, here's the biggest one Santa could find...it's almost as big as his smile!



Miss Priss was thrilled with all her loot, as well. The Disney Princess scooter, Barbie Glamour Jet and Rapunzel baby doll were among the top favorite items this year.



We had a blast riding around our circle driveway on these ride on toys before heading to the final leg of the holiday season.....Mamaw Sarah's!




The four generations of Arnault/Harris women.....



Driving Uncle Billy's big John Deere tractor is always a must!!!!

Sug and Joe's Christmas 2010

Christmas Eve means breakfast for dinner and tons of presents at Sug and Joe's house. All I can say is the 4 Claytons must have been VERY good this year!!!!




The babies beginning the long journey of present opening :-)
If you didn't get a sing-a-ma-jig.....you ought to invest! They are darling and we got the entire collection!



Awwwww,it's the OLD babies!


Cheeeesssseeee....

They have their own cameras now, so even though ours may be safe....we never are for a minute because they love capturing the moment!!!!!
They were adorable snapping shots of any and everything that they could!



BINGO's Departure

Our Elf, Bingo, packed his 'spaceship' and prepared for Santa's pick up on Christmas Eve by sitting on the gas logs! However, he managed to sneak off and to leave a sneak peek of what was to come by leaving these Melissa and Doug sticker sets!






The kids were so excited and were occupied for several hours playing with these play sets! Thanks Bingo!!!!

Cleveland Christmas 2010

Christmas at CeCe and Ray's this year was extra special because great-great uncle Sonny was there to celebrate with Nana and us all! The kids make Christmas so much fun and so special! This is Grayson (2), Caroline (3), Elizabeth Haze (5) and Anna Cooper (1) about to open all the Christmas surprises!



Here they are admist all the spoiling from CeCe and Ray....too much fun opening all those boxes from their shopping spree in Chicago!!!

I just love this picture of the big kids all cuddled up in Ray's lap reading a Christmas story..they are oblivious that he is the newest member of our family, because to them he has always been around ...how special is that?

Clayton Christmas 2010

Big G and Dee had us all over for the Clayton Christmas party this year. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there getting spoiled and eating some of the best cooking we have had in a while!

The kids love to just hang out and play with each other when we are at Big G's house!

She is growing up, but she is still our baby!!!! Check out that hair!

Disney on Ice

The kids and I went to see Disney on Ice, with Taylor and Caroline, while the guys stayed home with Anna Cooper. I was worried that it might be a little too girly for Gray-man, but he's 2 so I took the chance because who really cares? I was pleasantly surprised that this show appealed to everyone! There were prissy moments, but there were also fight scenes, a fire breathing dragon and every princess had a prince!


We had a lot of fun, but I learned that with an attention span of about 40 minutes, we might not really be ready for a trip to Orlando just yet!



READINESS TESTING FOR REAL KINDERGARTEN

Elizabeth Haze recently went for her readiness testing for Kindergarten at St. Andrew's Episcopal School. This was a huge day in all our lives. How can she already be going to school?????? Kyle also took her for her school physical check up at the pediatrician where she had to get her finger stuck and 4 shots....she did not cry one tear! The bravery made me shed a lot of tears!!! We are so proud of her, in every way!

School Christmas Program

Elizabeth Haze had her first right of passage....she was a part of the Hope Christmas Program. This program is only for the oldest children at the school. I remember seeing the classes in year's past thinking that our turn would be eons away and THAT seems like yesterday! She had a speaking part and did a wonderful job.


Sug and Joe were able to be there with us and we had so much fun. I snuck Grayson out of his class so he could watch too! I got the evil eye from the head nun, but oh well!!! haha

Holiday Fun

I seriously wish life could be as fun and as hectic as the month of December year round. It is so much fun and it is really hard to be sad or mad when there is so much to do!
Putting up the tree Thanksgiving night while we watch football, as always.....




Trying to get a cute picture in our Christmas jammies...as always....Daddy trying to talk them into asking for a real puppy...not going to happen!




We had parent's day at EH's dance class and boy were we in for a treat...


She is REALLY, REALLY good!!!!!

Check out that form! (she has on her leggings that she wore to school under her leotard instead of tights because that is what her teacher wears!)

AIR CLAYTON, BABBBBY!!!!!

The line leader (apparently an honor of distinction, who knew)

So graceful and worth every penny! I was in tears literally watching her!



Miss Jennifer, our favorite ballet teacher!


At the post Christmas picnic party on the floor of the studio! Two very proud parents, one overjoyed baby brother and one prima ballerina!

Nutcracker 2010

Continuing our annual tradition, Shannon, Shannon, Tonya and I gathered the girls in for a trip to see the Nutcracker. This year we went to the tea prior to the performance where we were able to talk and take pictures with the ballerinas.



Outings with this crew are effortless as these little ladies are very independent these days!


Visions of Sugar Plum Fairies......


Sassyfrass and the crew! How grown up are they? They all sat together (unsupervised) for Act 1. After intermission, we sat mother, daughter, mother, daughter.....no explaination needed!!!!


My sweet little girl brings such joy to our family. I love having traditions like this with her and our friends.

Birthday Party

John Curtis and Swayze had their birthday party at the Ag Museum this year. Gray and Elizabeth Haze had a blast riding ponies,riding the train, petting the animals and enjoying the village houses.






Without a doubt, the highlight of the day we the long lost reunion of EH and Swayze...the only boy she has ever talked about besides her daddy or brother...Swayze has been at another school since June and this was their first encounter since....EH went up to him when she first arrived at the party and said "Am I still your girl friend?" He responded, "Of course you are!" Then they both told me they were in love!!!! They held hands the ENTIRE afternoon. I am so glad that Kyle missed this party, because I believe he would have been playing second fiddle for the first time ever!