Alright...

That's all she wrote!
My Picasa account is once again full. I could purchase more storage through Google for $20 a year, but that price would be infinite yearly unless I desired them to delete my data. So, after much deliberation I have decided to move to Shutterfly. I am currently working on getting my page set up, so it may be a few days, but I will be journaling again soon and would love for you all to keep up with the Knightly News. After our move to Shutterfly only invited guests will be able to view our page and make comments, so PLEASE if you would like to keep up with us leave a comment here with your e-mail address so that I may add it to our members list. Thank you all for your patience and I hope to hear from you soon!

Greetings Earthlings,

I come in peace.

Here at the Knightly news we often come across stories filled with content which could be classified as extraterrestrial phenomenon. Today we bring you breaking news of a box-head sighting. These rare and precious creatures seldom show themselves, but when they do they are sure to evoke elation within those privileged enough to behold them.

Good-Knight...

Sleep Tight...

Traditions. I love traditions. I love the stories and memories and traditions that are the fabric of our family's heritage. Today I am reveling in yet another sweet connection between the past and the present.

My wonderful father-in-law lovingly built a beautiful cradle when he and my mother-in-law were expecting their first born (Zach). My mother-in-law tells the story of how Zach was such a large baby that he literally hit the sides of the cradle all night long, keeping himself and those around him awake all night long. So, as the story goes, Zach spent only one night in the beautiful cradle which was handcrafted for him. Thankfully the cradle wasn't discarded out of frustration. It was stored for many years in the attic until the arrival of our first born when Larry and MaryKay generously offered it's services to Zach and I. The precious cradle has had more success this time around, for our three little ones have loved resting and relaxing in the comfort of it's gentle swaying motion.

OAK
2004

CGK
2006

WTK
2008

Aunt Ashley

Our boys are blessed with many loving great-grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Each of these people have their place of honor in the hearts and minds of our sweet children. One in particular is Aunt Ashley. Ashley is Zach's little sister. She and her husband David live in Mansfield, TX. Aunt Ashley has doted on the boys since the arrival of little Owen and continues to shower her nephews with love and attention. Thank you Aunt Ashley for the pure joy that spreads across the faces of our children at the mere mention of your name.

Rocker

Will's hair has taken on a mind of it's own lately. It is still the thick dark mass that the other two boys had, but it definitely has more spunk. Here at the Knightly News we refer to his coif as the "British Rock Star".

Out with the old...

In with the new! Happy New Year 2008!

We were blessed to have our good friends, the Avery's, come visit us for the new year holiday. Andrew and Brooke were in our "young marrieds" class at A&M c of C in College Station. We have remained close and have continued to grow in common interests and experiences. For starters, the fact that they have three boys (Garrett, Nathan & Carter) as we do, supplies us with endless conversation and laughter. The boys enjoyed some time at the zoo, park and just hanging out in the backyard (we hosted our guests at Zach's parent's house. It gave us more room for the boys to play. Thanks LJ & MK!). We rang in the new year a bit early with the boys by allowing them to light sparklers and then they were off to bed. The adults stayed up to ring in the technical new year (yes, I'm very proud of us for not falling asleep prematurely).

The boys enjoying the Abilene zoo:
At the park:
We talked, we laughed, we played Hoopla into the wee hours of the morning (we did eventually beat the timer!), we enjoyed watching our boys playing together, we reminisced about the past and we hoped for our futures. It was an uplifting and encouraging time together and we look forward to the next time we will be blessed to see these precious friends.

A sparkling new year celebration:

Owen

Clay

Nathan

Garrett

S is for Santa

We have several different sizes of Santa hats at our house because, well, have I mentioned yet how much I love Christmas?! Anyway, the boys have loved parading around in them throughout the holiday season. Here are some of the fun photos of our "Santa Babies". I wish that I had captured some of the dances and songs that came along with some of this parading, but the expressions alone, I believe will give you a glimpse of the hilarity. Enjoy!

Serious
Santa

Silly
Santa

Shiner

Boys will be boys. Since starting our little family 3 years ago, we have accumulated many bumps, bruises and scrapes. We have even added a broken arm into the mix. But the newest wound we have added to our portfolio of injuries is the black eye (a.k.a. shiner)

• black eye n.
A bruise that surrounds the eye, especially along the ridge of the socket

You may have noticed in our Christmas pictures that poor Clay was sporting this newly acquired affliction. He fell off of the couch into the corner of the coffee table at Bud and Honey's house just before Christmas. Good times!

Baby's 1st Christmas

I couldn't resist posting some precious pictures to document Will's 1st Christmas. And the fact that he is one month old today makes it even better! Here are a couple of my favorites, but you better believe that there are SO many more! I think I am a "picture-holic" when it comes to my sweet children. I can't seem to take enough pictures of them. Thank you for humoring me and supporting my habit!

Owen & Clay adore Will
William Texas was the greatest gift we received this Christmas!My sweet mother-in-law buys the boys new Christmas pajamas every year. She also has purchased each of my boys a "baby's 1st Christmas" outfit. They are modeling these clothing items in the photos above. So cute, thanks to MaryKay!

What's the DILL?

Pickle!

The Knight family has yet another tradition
(I know, the mind reels at this possibility!)

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you: "the pickle search"


On Christmas morning no one is allowed to enter the living room area (where the tree is located) until everyone is awake. When everyone is roused and accounted for, we line up at the end of the hallway and the word is given for all of us to race down the hallway and converge on the Christmas tree in search of the Christmas pickle. Some of you may be thinking that there are many things you would rather eat for breakfast, but please allow me to explain. Our haste to find the Christmas pickle which is nestled safely in the branches of the glowing fir tree is not an indication of animalistic hunger, but a competition to begin the Christmas morning festivities. You see, the person who finds the precious pickle first is the first to open a Christmas gift and consequently will do the honor of hiding the pickle on the next years tree. It always amazes me that a simple tiny glass ornament can evoke such excitement! The great news is: this year the pickle was found by ME! Woo-hoo!
Bring on the presents!

All the bells on earth shall ring...

On Christmas day! On Christmas day!

And all the bells on earth shall ring, on Christmas day in the morning!

These are just a few of the pictures we took during the opening of gifts on Christmas morning. I hope you enjoy getting a peek of the joy that was shared. The boys presents were themed. They received tools, etc. from Bud & Honey and costumes from Uncle David & Aunt Ashley. The BIG gift was given last, it was a teeter-toter!

Another tradition: The Knight family takes turns opening gifts. All of the gifts are sorted and passed out to each recipient. Then the first gift is opened by the lucky discoverer of the pickle. Moving to the left of the pickle bearer, each person chooses one gift to open at a time and this continues around the circle until all the gifts have been exhumed. I love this tradition because it allows you to see what each person receives as well as celebrate in their joy and soak in their expressions and thankfulness. It also draws out the excitement that has been built up throughout the past month of preparation. We take a break after the opening of gifts to eat breakfast and then we gather together once again to open our stockings which are usually overflowing with goodies.

Christmas 2007 - Celebration #2

This year we are blessed to be spending the Christmas holiday with Zach's family. Though there may be some of you who think of us as insane for packing up our children, gifts and gear just to drive the 6 blocks to Zach's parents house, I submit to you that it is in the name of Christmas spirit and cheer that we commit ourselves to the wonderful memories which will be made throughout the week of designated family time. The memories which make the effort worth the seemingly silly parade.

12.21.07-First we gathered together with the maternal side of Zach's family for dinner and fellowship. We shared a wonderful meal at Zach's parents house then allowed Owen and Clay to entertain us with their antics. O, C & W are the only great-grandchildren on this side of the family so they enjoy their time in the lime light.

12.22.07-Next we enjoyed Christmas services together at Hillcrest church of Christ where Zach's parents attend.

12.23.07-Then we spent time with the paternal side of Zach's family. We shared a meal together at Zach's grandparents home in Hawley, TX. After the meal a few gifts are exchanged and pure chaos ensues. There are usually around 30 people who can come, though that is NOT all of the family members. O, C & W are 3 of 16 great-grandchildren on this side of the family, so they get to share the limelight at these gatherings. Though, I don't think they mind one bit!

12.24.07-Christmas eve wafted in with the sweet smell of homemade waffles and every scrumptious topping you could desire. All of which were prepared in part by Owen and Clay (with help from a few adults, of course). We savored our breakfast and then moved on to enjoy a family tradition, aptly named the "Christmas eve hunt". As the name suggests, we are sent on a scavenger hunt in search of clues which lead us to our Christmas eve gift. Each year there is a different twist. We have been blindfolded, tied together, etc. This year a separate "photo Christmas eve hunt" was designed for Owen and Clay. They truly enjoyed following their pictorial clues to find the hidden Christmas eve gifts awaiting them. And then this evening we had our first annual gingerbread house decorating contest, it was a blast! Each couple got to create a gingerbread masterpiece of their own design and we got so tickled at each other over our mock competitiveness and sense of design secretiveness. Even the kids got in on the action. Owen was particularly proud of his handmade creation. I think you can clearly see who the winner is! Right?!

Here are the competitors:

Larry & MaryKay

David & Ashley
Zach & Meg

This is a picture of the construction aftermath. If only the little elves would come clean up after us...*SIGH* Now that would be a good gift!

Note: we packaged everything up and we are going to save it in the deep freeze for the showdown next year. These houses aren't for consumption, they are purely masterpieces on display.