Present pics and family

Today we stayed around the house and I had the kids set up their presents to take pictures. They all got sweat suits.

Kristina's main gifts were Cowboy's stuff, a Ryan Zimmerman poster, books on how to draw people and animals, paper to draw, a jewelry box, and the game of LIFE.


Luba got a Barbie, Strawberry Shortcakes, a talking doll, Connect 4 x 4, Lite Brite, paper to draw on, a jewelry box, the game Manacala, and Polly Pockets.



Michael got many cars, a car case, army men, Buzz Lightyear, an airplane, a remote contol car, a few games, a calender, and paper to draw on.



For dinner we went over to my parents house. Afterwards we were able to take a family picture. It was the first time we had all been to together in 18 months.

Mom x3

Cousin pictures

Today we went to JCPenny to have pictures taken of the 4 cousins/grandchildren.

Mom x3

Meeting Baby Charlie

Today after church we had Brunch at Tripps. I love that place. Then we went to my parents house to see Charlie, Greg and Amy's baby born on November 23rd, also Amy's birthday. He is so cute and the kids just adored him. He was so good while we were there although isn't sleeping through the night. Kinda glad I didn't have to go through that.

Putting together a puzzle of the United States.

Tomorrow we will go for picture with all four cousins.

Mom x3

Christmas Day!!!!

We had told the kids not to wake us up until 8:00, then we would get ready and come down to open the presents. Michael can't tell time so we told him not to wake us up until it was light out and he could see the sun. We acutally woke up around 7:30 because we could hear Michael and Luba going downstairs to look at the presents. Michael finally came in our room and told us he didn't know if it was time to get up yet or not because it was cloudy and he couldn't see the sun, it was 8:00. We tried not to laugh. Of course the kids were so excited. Christmas is so much better with children around, they make it so exciting.



The kids by the tree prior to opening presents.


Kristina's favorite team is the Dallas Cowboys, not sure where she got that.



Luba got a Christmas Barbie and Michael Buzz Lightyear.



Hazel watched everything from a short distance away. She loves to sit on paper.

Miami Dolphin's Santa!

It took us 90 minutes to open all the presents then onto the stockings.

Hazel got a mouse. Kristina making pot holders.

We relaxed around the house for a few hours, then around 5 my parents, Allison, Brian, and Nathaniel came over with more presents.

John with little football helmets.

It was a wonderful day. For dinner we had leftover turkey and made sandwiches . Once the kids were in bed the adults were able to relax and watch a movie.

Mom x3

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is still the longest day of the year. I always seem to do so much and the clock doesn't seem to move. This week was busy for me I worked Mon, Tues, and Wed, while John was off to stay with the kids and I will be off all next week.

stuffed animals on the front stairs

the kids Nativity set and mine

We made spritz cookies they are the best, green trees, yellow stars, red flowers and blue bells.

This turkey, I must say was much more tender than Thanksgiving.

Two different tables for a total of 16 people

Allison, Brian, Nathaniel, Luba, Kristina, Kendall, Kris, and Michael

Me, dad, mom, John's mom, Kathy, Cliff, John's dad, and John

After we ate the kids made bead ornaments.

The 'men' eating pie and drinking coffee.

The kids got to open one gift before going to bed.

Cookies for Santa.

After the kids were in bed and the older adults had left a movie was watched, although I was 'busy' and couldn't watch it.

Stocking hung by the chimney with care

Kristina, Luba, Michael, Me, John, and Hazel

The Christmas tree from four different views.

This is our third Christmas with the children and I LOVE taking the picture after the presents are all arranged. I could sit and stare at the tree for hours. Just something about the glow of the tree when all the other lights are off, it brings tears to my eyes.

Let us never forget CHRISTmas is Christ's Birthday, not just presents, when the world wants to celebrate every other holiday but Christmas.

Joyful Mom x3