At least someone knows how to color Easter Eggs!

Hafford Family Christmas DVD 2009

Feel free to view our Christmas DVD by clicking the link below.

REMEMBER TO PAUSE MUSIC ON THE MIXPOD PLAYER BEFORE VIEWING.

Untitled from Kendra Hafford on Vimeo.

Christmas Card 
&Letter 

Honestly, Christmas Cards almost did not happen this year. Not because we have stopped loving you or did not want to share what God has been doing in our life, but because Christmas Cards take time! (especially if you have attention issues and obsessive compulsive tendencies!) This year we have really tried to put a high priority on how we spend our time at home.   Little time at home is hard for this family of five who just loves being at home.  Troy and I love being at home which is no surprise based on our constant “projects”. So do each of our children, almost always choosing to have their friends in our home rather than going elsewhere, which is absolutely answered prayer. This has always been our heart’s desire and motivation in making our home!

Of course, we love to do a lot of things that we really just can’t do at home. Mitchell (8) would have a hard time playing basketball and soccer at home. Georgia lawns are definitely not made for playing level field/court sports! Makenzie (14) cannot cheer and tumble at home – our ceilings aren’t high enough, not to mention she would so miss the competition she thrives on.  Marshall (16) absolutely cannot participate in Marching Band Shows and Competitions or even Concert Band at home. He might be able to have Academic Bowl meets at home, but sadly, I am not sure anyone else would ever answer a question.  Troy can’t hike at home, unless he was to wear his backpack to take out the trash!  I can do a lot at home, but eventually I would need more supplies! Of course, Troy and I couldn’t watch our children doing what they love if we stayed home. All of the time spent away from home just makes things like eating together, hanging out with friends, and staying in touch with those we love a top priority when we are home!

Much of our time spent away from home this year was fabulous. We were blessed with a trip to Ft. Myers Beach (thanks Uncle Mike!), a trip to Panama City Beach (thanks Uncle Jim & Aunt Tammy!), two trips to Illinois, a gold panning trip for Troy (and no, he didn’t get to quit his day job!) and a weekend in Savannah. Yet, every trip, regardless of how awesome it was, always ended the same –all of us ready to be home.

Exactly as I know Heaven will be, as incredible as the journey is here on earth—

there is nothing like Home.

Praising Jesus for leaving His home in Heaven for us,

Troy Kendra Marshall Makenzie & Mitchell

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

He's Baaacckk!

Buddy, our elf, showed up tonight just as we were getting ready to eat dinner. Buddy is a mischievous little guy, but he always seems to start out on a good note. Tonight he brought us all Christmas pjs -mine are super comfy! Of course, we all know that a good start can only mean lots of trouble in the coming days. And, for some very odd reason, Marshall and Makenzie were not willing to pose in theirs!

(and, we get to start eating the candy

out of our Advent Calendar today!)

Happy 16th Birthday, Marshall!

Marshall spent his sixteenth birthday sipping hot chocolate, browsing in a comic book store and enjoying tacos and pumpkin pie with his family and Meggie.

I spent my day thinking about how quickly 
time flies when you are having fun!

You bring cRaZy joy into our lives, Marshall.

Happy Birthday, Makenzie!

We love you more than you will ever know.

I hope your day was First Place!

(enjoying enduring her 14 minutes under the bed!)

Pedicures!

It has now become a tradition -

when Lori & Nana come for a visit

we. have. to. get. pedicures!

Now, this a tradition that is here to stay!

Our Christmas Card & Letter 2008

Anyone who knows Troy and I knows we truly live out the phrase “one man’s trash is another’s treasure”! Whether  we are on a “Saturday date” (yard sales), spending “half-price day” at our favorite thrift store or the occasional dumpster dive,  we have never been afraid of a pile of trash. We can find the treasure!

This  year we have sorted through a lot of trash,  sometimes having to look extra hard to find the treasure. I think the “trash” has made us even more thankful for the many  “treasure” times this year— a family/Marching Band trip to Disney to see both of the boys march in the parade down Main Street, Mitchell meeting Captain Hook - his all time favorite Disney character (huh?), two super fun seasons of soccer for him,  Makenzie making the Competition Cheerleading team, having a fun & winning season, becoming state champions, Marshall entering high school, being a part of an award winning Marching Band, performing in the Concert Band, getting his  “Learner’s” (“treasure” for him– not me, not by any stretch of the imagination!), hiking trips, too many BRAVES games to count, business success, and most “treasured”,  lots of time spent in our home with family and friends.

Having three children (celebrating birthdays 15, 13 &7) in three different schools this year, very involved in three very different activities, has certainly brought a ton of “trash” into our lives! I am not just talking about the French fry boxes left in the van, I am talking about the “trash” of hours of  practices, football games, competitions (band & cheerleading), soccer matches, homework and projects, you know, all the things that make it a challenge for families to eat together, watch movies together and pray together. It has been in between the “trash” of crazy schedules that we have had to dig deep to find the “treasure” in living in this moment,  watching our children growing—happy, healthy and bearing the name of Christ. 

That is “treasure”!

We know this year, at times, has seemed to be  “trash filled”  for a lot of our family and friends , and our nation as a whole. But, God’s Word is so clear ... this “trash” on earth dos not last, but the “treasure” of salvation is forever. As we celebrate the birth of Christ, who left the “treasure” of Heaven to save a “trash filled” world,  it is the perfect time to consider what we “treasure” and if it will stand the test.

We Pray Your Christmas and New Year Will Be Full of Treasure!

Troy Kendra Marshall Makenzie & Mitchell 

“But keep on storing up treasures for yourselves in heaven,where moths and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal, because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:20-21

Photo taken @ Johnson’s Truck Sales  Norris City, Illinois

(Yes, we are in a “junk yard”!)

Cookie -A- Thon

Today is the day everyone waits all year to come.

No, it is not Christmas.

Today is the day we bake cookies and make candy.

Today is the day we use more sugar, flour, peanut butter,

 pecans,and chocolate chips than the rest of the year

 - combined.

Today is the day we swear we will never eat sugar again.

Until tomorrow.

I Love A Christmas Parade

Marshall is not a big fan of parades,

but I love watching him march.

We always have to have hot cocoa at

the Christmas Parade.

Why do we not have a picture of Makenzie?

Because she stood on the opposite side of the "Duck".

Great picture of her coach, though!

Homecoming Game

Tonight is the homecoming football game. I love this time of the year and all the activities that come; and homecoming just fits in perfectly. I loved the week of homecoming as a teenager, the dance, the game, the parade, the bonfire the sock-hop. (I am sure my kids would be mortified by the fact that I am old enough to know about and love a "sock hop".) Tonight is especially exciting because my niece, Bailey, is a queen candidate. I asked Marshall if they would play at all considering the festivities at half-time, and he said the band director has actually been told "to play so soft that you can't be heard." No respect for the band geeks! Marshall clings to the hope that one day football will be played at half-time... I am just praying that Makenzie gets to come tonight. They had a special practice called this afternoon, and the last time her coach did this it actually turned into another practice that night. Big competition for them tomorrow, so I know everyone is feeling the pressure. I am mostly just thankful that it is Friday. I have had a nasty cold this week and am planning to rest this weekend. (After, of course, our competition tomorrow that we leave @5:30 for and our 1:30 soccer game that we race back for!)