The Christmas Train

Our family had the opportunity to go to Dry Gulch USA in Pryor, Oklahoma and ride The Christmas Train. I had no idea what to expect, except that the train ride had to do with Christmas. I thought we might hear about baby Jesus and probably see Santa Clause. I was pleasantly surprised as the train started out and we began to hear the Christmas story over the speakers. It wasn't just the Christmas story starting from Jesus' birth, but it started in Genesis and throughout the ride we rode past lighted scenes that depicted Jesus birth, life, death on the cross, and scenes from Revelation that depict eternal life. Some of the scenes were lighted art and some of the scenes were live actors. I was overcome with emotion as I watched my children looking out the window when I heard them say "Look Mommy! Baby Jesus!" and then even more tearful as we rode past the scene of Jesus being crucified on the cross as Judd asked "Mommy, why are they doing that?" I heard Jackson try to explain to Judd that Jesus was taking on our sin on the cross. Judd asked more questions on the way home. I am excited to know that the Holy Spirit is already beginning to speak to his young heart. Tonight as we rode home together after the train ride, I thanked God for our real reason for celebrating Christmas. I pray that when my children think of Christmas, the scenes that they saw tonight come to the forefront of their minds instead of Santa and presents. I can't wait to ride the train again next year!!

Jackson, Judson, and Mommy waiting in line to ride The Christmas Train.

Jensen and Daddy waiting in line to ride the Christmas Train.

Dry Gulch USA is absolutely breathtaking at night!

The kids had a great time!

Womack Family Christmas

I was so excited to have my (Julie) sisters and parents come to Siloam Springs to celebrate Christmas. We had a wonderful time together. Below are pics of each of our families.

The Kelly Family

Jason, Julie, Jackson, Judson, and Jensen

The Porter Family

Derek, Gina, and Macy

The Goldston Family

Joe, Christie, Parker, and Carter

My Parents
Jerry and Ginger Womack

Me with my twin sister, Gina

Christmas Parade

A quick family pic before the Parade started.

My son Jackson (on the right) was excited to get to carry the parade banner to start the parade.

Breakfast with Santa

The Siloam Springs Heritage League organizes Breakfast with Santa every year. I asked my (Julie) family if we could celebrate Christmas this weekend so my family could experience the wonderful community in which we live. One of the highlights of the weekend was taking my kids along with their cousins to see Santa Clause. Here they are below with Santa:

Jensen, Parker, Macy, Parker, Judson, and Jackson

Judson and Jensen tell Santa what they want for Christmas.

My twin sister, Gina with her husband Derek and their daughter Macy.

My sister Christie's boy's, Carter and Parker.

The Siloam Springs Heritage League

Preparing for Christmas

Judson and Jensen couldn't wait to put our outside decorations in the yard!

The kids LOVE going through our ornaments! Here is Judd helping me choose which ornaments will go on the tree first.

Our finished Christmas Tree!!

Jason does his part by putting the lights up on the house. :-)

Moore Family Thanksgiving

Every Thanksgiving, we go to Purcell, Oklahoma and spend time with Jason's family. When I first married into this family, we had Thanksgiving at Jason's Aunt Nelda's house. Most of Jason's cousins were young and unmarried so we could all fit into Nelda's house. As years have passed, most of the cousins have married and now have children of their own. Our extended family has grown so much that we have not all been able to fit in Nelda's house the past few years. So, we all meet at Jason's Mom and Dad's barn. It may sound silly, but it is very relaxed and we can all fit together and no parent worries about their children tracking dirt in or breaking someone's valuables. My children always look so forward to Thanksgiving because they get to spend time with their second cousins, most of whom they only see once a year.

The Moore Sisters

Charlotte Weaver, Kaye Kelly (Jason's Mom), Nelda Moore, Linda Vaughn, and Brenda Lee

Two 6 foot tables support our Thanksgiving Feast!!!

Our family gathered together...

Some of the cousins...

Second Cousins

We really miss them!

Revolution Youth Staff Retreat

Every year, Jason organizes a retreat for our volunteer Youth Staff to reward them for all of their hard work and investment into Revolution's Student Ministry. This year we rented an 8 bedroom log house in Branson called The Rusty Moose Lodge. It was absolutely beautiful! We had such a great time hanging out together and enjoying each other.

Our lodge overlooked Table Rock Lake. It was breathtaking!

Our amazing group of Youth Staff: Gina Bomstad, Tim Rucker, Meagan Rucker, CoCo Miller, Jason Kelly, Julie Kelly, Sarah Evans, Jim Evans, Diane Buck, Leighton Buck, Dennis kindy, Shellie Kindy, Betsy Raiford, Bill raifors, Jenna Hall, Marena Harmon, Dude Harmon, Debbie Shoemaker, Brian Shoemaker, Tony Molina, Jane Molina, Andrew Bradford, and Hannah Wanzer.

Heritage League Candy Sacking

I love being in Heritage League. It has given me great opportunity to get to know some amazing women that I might not had ever met. It is also extremely fulfilling in being a part of a group of women who love this community as much as I do and want to give back to it. Recently, we gathered to sack candy for the annual Christmas Parade that we organize annually. Pictured above are the amazing group of Ladies that I get to serve with.

Me and my dear friend, Sarah. We Co-chaired the Christmas Parade committee this year.

Heritage League Christmas Parade Committee
Amy Maxwell, Sarah Evans, Julie Kelly, Mindy Hunt, Beth Graves, and Angie Price

Sacking over 4,500 bags of candy for the parade!!!! :-)

2008 Presidential Election

Our children have became so interested in the Presidential race and election. Almost daily for the last month, they have iniatiated conversation with us asking who we will vote for and why. They have paid close attention in the mornings anytime the names "John McCain" or "Barack Obama" have been said on the Today Show. Jackson has spent a lot of time in Social Studies at school learning about our goverment and our electoral process. Judd and Jensen have tried to understand as much as a 4 and 6 year old can understand. Last night we sat as a family and watched as our country determined who would be our next President. Jackson's homework assignment was to color in a map of the United States as each state was declared a Democratic or Republican state. Judd and Jensen also watched intently and would cheer each time our candidate was listed as the winner in that specific state. We also spent a lot of time on the internet watching to see if other networks had declared a winner before the network we were watching did. It was exciting to both Jason and I that our children showed such an amazing interest in this election. Because this election does seem monumental in our nation's history, I wanted to capture the memory and excitement of watching our children tonight. :)

Jackson showing off the electoral map of wins by each state.

Jensen watching the news...


Searching for info on the internet.

The internet is very slow tonight!

80's Halloween Costume Party

One of the highlights of our month was attending an 80's costume party that was hosted by our friends, Jim and Sarah Evans. I had forgotten how much time (and hairspray!) it takes to get big hair! :)

My sweet friends

Cassie, Sarah, Leslie, Jane, and me

The Guys

Mark, Chris, Bob, Jim, Tony, Jason, and Roger

Jason and his friend Tony came dressed as Crockett and Tubb's from the 80's TV show, Miami Vice. I happen to think my husband is way cuter than Don Johnson! :)

This is possibly what my friend Sarah and I would have looked like together if we had known each other in Junior High!

Halloween

Judson dressed up as a mean Darth Vader and Jensen dressed up as a beautiful Sleeping Beauty. Jackson chose to not dress up in costume this year.

Jason and I love to take our children trick-or-treating in downtown.

Jensen and Judson were excited to see their friends Marlow Evans, Mia Hevener, and Jackson Fine.


Jackson poses with his brother and sister before heading off to a "big kid" Halloween Party.


Jason snapped this pic of me and Jensen as we were handing candy out to trick-or-treaters. Jason had taken Judd trick-or-treating around our neighborhood.

Judson's Fall Party and Birthday Dinner

Jason was able to be at Judson's Fall party in his Kindergarten class.

Judson is enjoying eating his snacks.

Later that evening, our family celebrated Judson's 6th birthday with him. We had already had his birthday party with friends earlier in the month, but tonight we celebrated his life as a family. He chose to eat his birthday dinner at a local hamburger restaurant called Barnett's. After a heavy dinner of burgers and fries, we shared Judd's chocolate cake.

Mommy and the birthday boy.

Daddy and the birthday boy.