4 christmas'

christmas #1

we celebrated with my dad's side of the family the weekend after thanksgiving

we usually spend new years celebrating this christmas.

however, my dad and step-mom bought a condo in florida 

and are spending the winter there.

we had a wonderful time eating yummy food, swimming,

and enjoying family.

and, like usual, santa made his appearance bringing

1 gift for everyone!

christmas #2

this was our family christmas

we celebrated the morning of the 23rd before we headed across town

to sam's parents.

each kid got 3 gifts.

above is sofie's new hat and her newest liv doll

the kids got a new wii game from uncle eric, aunt vivian and rubi.

we are ALL loving mario kart!

christmas #3

christmas eve at grandma susie's and grandpa chuck's

we opened gifts after the christmas eve service

grandma susie took both girls (at different times) to buy gifts for 

family members.  i love this photo of sofie as she watches

lia open the gift she got her.

lia just opened her gift from grandma and grandpa--

a walking dog she has wanted for almost 2 years!!

she was SO surprised!!

and of course she named it--jack!!

sofie's gift to kye

sofie's gift from grandma and grandpa--

a table easel and a bunch of art supplies

christmas #4

christmas day at my grandma and grandpa's

the kids and their uncle nick!!!

they just can't get enough of him!

my grandpa!

the nutcracker he's holding was painted by sofie

gram and ruthie waiting to open gifts

kye's gift from gram and pop!

we just love these imaginext toys--

they are so durable and kye really, really enjoys playing with them!

lia's new cowgirl hat

cousins-

lia and clara

we've had a very merry christmas!

 

happyt birthday kye

we wish you a merry christmas

...and all that comes with it!!  ha

o christmas tree

we usually get our tree the saturday after thanksgiving.

however, this year, we had a family christmas that day.

so...we went the day before thanksgiving.

it was kinda weird having our tree up before thanksgiving.

i hope this was a first and a last. 

either way, our hunt for the "perfect" tree was memorable.

i wanted a small, thin tree.

lia wanted a tall, full tree.

and the other 3 were indifferent. 

after a lot of searching and a few tears almost all of us agreed on a beautiful white pine.

it's a tradition of ours to have all 3 kids each take a turn cutting the tree down.

they love this part! 

and off they go!

thankfully, we got the tree turned around before all the needles were gone! 

it's a little, i mean a lot shorter than i thought it would be.

but, it's still beautiful!

 now if only the kitten would leave the ornaments on the tree, quit chewing on mr snowman's hat, and stop drinking all the water.

thankful for...

1...11 1/2 years of marriage to my soul mate.

the first 2--awful, the next 7--pretty good, the last 2--awesome!

2...my sofie!

today she informed me her new motto is: "to learn more so she can tell more!"

she's talking about learning more about the bible and God!

LOVE HER!!

3...precious lia!

she is the most thoughtful and compassionate little girl i know!

4...kye william!

my all-boy, super rough, almost 4 year old that loves to cuddle with me rubbing my face and ears!!!  boy oh boy do i LOVE LOVE LOVE that he still does that!!!

5...the gift of yet another year with my grandpa!

6...the awakening that God has stirred in my heart these last 6 months!

7...really learning what it means to be completely reliant on God for our finances!

and--celebrating when He provides!

8...simplicity!

and the choices we've made to make our life that way!

9...the desire God has placed in my heart for missions!

His great commission is something that is now being taught in this household as well as making plans to actually carry it out!

10...my relationship with Jesus Christ!