Christmas 2011

Christmas flew in quickly, lingered for a while and is gone now.  Jack said today, "Christmas is far away".  Yes, it is, Jack!  After we got back from Disney, Jack had his Joyland Christmas program at school.  For weeks, he has been singing songs from the program and it has been such a blessing.  He is really starting to understand what  Christmas is about and we talk about Jesus and his birth and why we receive and give presents.  Joyland was about toys in a toy shop to be used by owner for a needy family.  All the kids were to dress as toys so I chose Mr. Incredible.  My mom has the outfit and I didn't have time to get creative.  I also did family photos using my business for the families that came.  That was a lot of fun and was glad for the ministry and opportunity.

The kids started gearing up for Christmas big time!  Parties at school, shopping and decorating their own trees for their rooms.  Since Jack had one, Kate had to have one this year.  They were very proud of them.

Christmas gift exchanging started when Craig's dad and family came up for the weekend.  We just hung out and they went to church with us on Sunday too.  They left on Sunday and on Wednesday, Gramma and Pa arrived to visit with us before Christmas.  We opened gifts with them and they got the kids a covered wagon that folds down too and can turn into a bench.  

After opening gifts on Friday morning, we went bowling with my family.  The kids had never been and we hadn't been in a few years.  We got the bumpers ready and got in our bowling shoes and hit the lanes.

After a day of bowling, we ate lunch, had naps and went to Brent and Kimberly's house for our annual get together with my Debby, Brian and all of us.  We ate dinner and exchanged gifts.  My parents also had an early Christmas present for the grandkids - a trampoline and they were excited!

They spotted it!

We headed home after a bit of jumping.  Saturday, Christmas Eve, Debby and Brian left and we went to church for Christmas Eve service at 5.  We then went to my parents for some food.  We came home and got ready for Christmas morning!

The kids got up around 7:30 or 8 and came into our room.  We read the Children's Bible Christmas story and then came to open presents.

 This is where is stopped for Kate.  She got hung up on the stocking and wanting to eat the candy and did not want to open presents.  A few tears and some bribery later, she opened the gifts and then asked for an airhead.  Just learning lessons for next year.

 Somehow, the kids ended up with no pjs on, but Annie opened her gifts and then we ate breakfast.  After that we headed to church for Sunday morning!  I love church on Christmas.  It was awesome.

Lunch landed us at my parents and another fun time of family, reading the Christmas story, the Lord's supper and gifts.

Christmas was a blast.  We headed out the next day for a week with Craig's family!

Disney - Part 3

I know it almost 2012 and I haven't blogged about early December, but the holidays have been crazy.  Our last day in Orlando was spent at the hotel grounds.  We explored the property a bit and then headed down to the beach/lake area.  After a near death experience regarding Paige at the lake, we went to the pool.  We didn't stay too long and had naps and such.  That night we went to dinner at the Disney Boardwalk and got ready to leave for home.  Sunday morning after we checked out, we met my grandparents for lunch and visited for a bit.  Great time at Disney and we can't wait to get back...in another year or two.

Camera Phone Dump Post

 Dressed himself for bedtime

Sleepy girl

Made this cute thing with some "pawesome" fabric!  You know, you are giggling.

Sister flung her hand in brother's eye direction.  A trip to Urgent Care, some drops, a patch and some Mike and Ike later, we are happy.

Notice something wrong in this picture?  Belle has replaced Kate on the bed and where is Kate?  Look under the drapes.

Playing in the fountains at the Grand Floridian

He sure is festive!

PJ Day at school

Merry Christmas!

Happy pre-Christmas week!