Christmas Day

Wanting to start a new tradition for us we decided to make and serve breakfast at our home! We were so blessed to have our parents and my siblings over at 10am. I was so nervous about getting Geoff's 3 presents wrapped before everything got started I woke up at 7:15am. I told everyone that for Christmas I just wanted to sleep in...yeah right. On the bright side I got everything done that I wanted to and was even to kick my feet up a little bit.

Everyone got there about 10:15 and Geoff was already cooking. We had sausage, bacon, fruit, biscuits, cinnamon rolls and best of all French toast! It was delicious! Geoff is such a wonderful cook. I was not smart enough to remember to take pictures but luck-a-lee Geoff's mom , em, took some so I will have to get them from her and post them.

After we all enjoyed breakfast we did a little gift giving to represent the Three wise men bringing presents to baby Jesus. Everyone loved their little gift and it made me feel so good to be able to give a little something this year. I was thinking we were not going to be able to do anything but set a side a little money for a few little gifts. I didn't tell anyone we were doing it because I didn't want anyone to think they had to give us something! The best gift this year was just being together.

Christmas eve was really awesome too. We went to Christmas eve service with Geoff's parents and sang lots of pretty songs. We then headed to my mom's for dinner. We ate and then rested. Dad gave us a little insight on what Christmas meant to him. It was awesome He told us that Christmas to him was not about the presents because he had the best presents all the time. His amazing wife and his four wonderful children and his son-in-law that was picked by me to be in our family. I am so thankful that Dad was able to share with us the true meaning of Christmas through his eyes. I am so thankful for our family and for everything we have.

This year really wasn't about the presents. I hope that in the years to come we remember we don't have to spend a lot of money to show our love. I think that this has been the best Christmas in a long time. The only thing missing was White Snow. If we could just have a white Christmas at the beach every couple of years that would be AWESOME!

Well all in all we had a really nice Christmas! Hope we can all remember the reason for the season. May we all be blessed in the new year with they things we NEED! We love all of those that touch our lives for the good. May you know that we are blessed to have such great family and friends in our life!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from us to you!

Christmas with Style

I wanted to remember out Christmas Decorations for our Journal.

Our Georgia Stockings Not hung by a chimney...we don't have one. They will hang from our entertainment center with care.

Our Georgia snowmen wreath that hangs on the door of the Georgia Room!

My penguins that sit on our table.

The true meaning of Christmas is in the center of our Home.

This says enough!

On top of the entertainment center in the Guest room.

Entertainment center in the living room

Our red and silver tree!

Our Georgia Tree in our Georgia Room! Go Dawgs!

Christmas Picture 2008

This is the Barton Ensign Christmas picture 2008!

Christmas Weekend with Kyle and Ellen 2008

ChRiStMaS WeEkEnD with ThE BaRtOn'S and

tHe eNsIgN's

So Kyle and Ellen came to the beach this weekend so we could do our Christmas Weekend together. This is our 2nd Annual Christmas weekend. Last year we went to Charleston but this year it was at the beach. We were missing something... Bryant didn't celebrate this year. We missed you Bryant!

OK so they got here Friday and we ate at Ryan's for dinner. We went back to the house and watched the Hulk, that we picked up from Bi-Lo. It was a good movie. Ellen and I saw most of it but I was doing Ellen's hair.

Saturday Morning Geoff cooked us a great Breakfast! He made French Toast, Eggs and sausage. It was delicious! Thanks Geoff.

For lunch we went to UCP. Ultimate California Pizza at Market Common. It was really, really good. We all had pizza but Geoff! Before we ate we got our picture taken with Santa for FREE!!

We made other stops before getting home so Geoff could cook us dinner. He made BBQ pork chops, corn, rolls and Cheesy potatoes! Yumm-o! Another good meal by Chef Geoff! After dinner we had surprise visit from Kyle's brother Karl and his "girlfriend" later to find out "fiance" after visiting and hearing about their day she whipped out the BLING!! Onna's ring was AMAZING!! So pretty and sparklee! Congrats Karl and Onna on your engagement!

After eating and visiting we exchanged gifts and then watched Batman, The Dark Knight! Of course I fell a sleep. Before falling asleep we enjoyed Christmas sugar cookies.

Sunday morning was sad. Ellen and Kyle had to get back to Charleston so Ellen, The YW Pres, could teach her lesson! But we had Cinnamon rolls as we said our see ya laters and off the church we went!

What a great 2nd Christmas Celebrations Tradition we had this weekend! We reflect at this time of year for our friends, families and the TRUE meaning of Christmas. We are so thankful for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and for his Birth.

May we all remember the the ReAsOn for the SeAsOn!

Thanks for a great weekend Kyle and Ellen!

So I know this is really late but I wanted to remember Liam's Day of Birth on the blog.

Liam was born Nov 11th at 1:57 pm. It was so strange because Tiff called me and told me she was about to have him and on our way there Geoff and I were putting bets on what time he would be born Geoff said 2: something and I said 1:57! Crazy thing we got there and there were no nurses at the station we were standing in the hall and we heard a baby cry and it was Liam! I just love the pic of Tiff, Vic and Liam, they are just to perfect! I also put the pic of Geoff and Vic just chillin in the chairs! Thanks tiff and Vic for letting us be there!

Birthday's

So I found this picture and needed to post it. Geoff and I went over to Tiff and Vic's So we could exchange presents for Geoff and Tiff's birthday's. Geoff got a charger for our Wii remotes and we got Tiff a bath pillow. She was prego with Liam in the picture. Happy Late Birthday Tiff and Geoff!

Thanksgiving and Thanks

So this years Thanksgiving was AWESOME! The best part was having my grandma Maples here at the beach with us. Thanksgiving started out with our traditional Turkey Bowl that Geoff plays in. Jessica, Emilee and my self go and watch. We also enjoy Krispy Kreme donuts while watching the men play football. After the game we came home and got ready for the day. I went to mom's and helped get stuff ready. It was the traditional meal. Turkey, potatoes both sweet and mashed with turkey gravy, rolls, corn, dressing and the fixings. We also had chocolate pie, pumpkin pie and pecan pie along with better than 'anything' cake. It was yumm-o!
After dinner we took naps and Jessica gave me a massage. It was awesome! We also went and saw a movie, Four Christmas's with Reese and Vince in it! It was really funny but would not suggest taking children with you. It will ruin Christmas for them!!
All in all thanks giving was awesome.

Some things I am thankful for this time of year is a lot...
1. My Husband, He is so sweet and helpful. He puts up with me and all my mood swings.
2. My Grandparents, ALL of them. This year was awesome to share thanksgiving and THREE weeks with G-ma Maples. What a wonderful woman she is. She is so strong and sweet. She is an example to me. I hope that I have her energy and spunk when I am a grandma. I am also thankful for my grandparents because with out them I would not have my AMAZING parents.
3. My parents, Mom and Dad thank you for teaching me to love many things. Life, the gospel, my family and all the things I have. My parents are such hard workers and providers for our family. They are always trying so hard to do so many things.
4. My sisters and brother. Jessica thank you for being you. I am so proud of you going to school and doing well in your classes. Stay strong in the church and stay close to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They will never leave you or lead you astray. Emilee, Keep up the good work. You are such an example to people you come in contact with. Doing Basketball, attending seminary and all your church meetings, keeping up the good grades. Again, stay close to the Lord. I am so proud of you too. Blake, well Blake what do we say, You are just to smart for your own good. Keep doing well in school and just make it through these tough years of middle school and your first year of high school and things should get better. You have such a sweet spirit. Just remember who you are and that you are special. Stay close to the church and the Lord. Look up to Dad and Geoff and follow their examples of being good priesthood holders. I love you Blake! And I love Jessica and Emilee.
5. All of our Friends! Tiff and Vic, thank you for always being there for us. Your family is such a good example. Having FHE and inviting us, having us over all the time and letting us be apart of your awesome family! Thank you so much for letting us be apart of the kids lives! We love you guys! Mary Ellen and Kyle, thank you for being our cruise buddy's this year. I cant believe it has been a year since we did our Christmas together last year. I am so excited for this year and for many more cruises together. We love coming to Charleston to visit and hang out.
6. Our extended family. Thank you for you love and examples you are from a distance. Our families don't get to see each other much but thanks to blogs we are able to keep up better. Keep the faith and We love you!
7. Last but not least Our Georgia Bulldogs! It has been a crazy season but we are thankful that we are able to attend some games.

Thanks this year means a lot because of the trials we have been through. It is the little things that are pulling on my heart strings this year and I just want to be able to remember the things near and dear to my heart!

Happy Holidays and I will try to post more often.