(Oh, I do hope that you are comfy & have just gone to the bathroom & refilled your drink...you may be here a while because I may have set a record on the number of photos in one blog post...OR you can just scroll through them really fast & it will almost be like watching a movie of our Christmas!)
Take my picture like this...
...and then I'll do this!
Have I mentioned how much I {heart} this Little People Nativity?
Seriously, one of the best.toys.ever!
Cheese Mommy!
Oh, here's Sophie wanting in on the fun!
And Darcy doing more poses for the camera
And Sophie pretending to be an angel
The only downside to the Little People Nativity...
is that I'm continually finding camels, sheep, wise men & baby Jesus all over the house!
"Uh-Oh! Mess! Mess! Clean! Clean!"
(This is pretty much an exact quote!)
Jack & Darcy have story time while Sophie was out on her Daddy date
Reading the super sweet book "God Gave Us Christmas"
Then Darcy wanted to read one to Jack...
...so she chose the Golden Book The Christmas Story
...and narrated it in her own words!
It was much more interesting that way!
Drew is just happy to be!
Tickle time!
I mentioned we drove around looking at Christmas lights...
...at the top of the "to see" list was this spectacular house in our old neighborhood...
Their light display is over 10 minutes long & set to music on the radio!
I love this part...they call it "going green" to conserve energy!
But they can also go red...
...and red with sparkles!
It is truly an amazing display & a fun tradition!
We spent our Christmas Eve finishing up shopping (Jeff & Jack) and wrapping (me & the girls) and napping (Darcy & Drew!)
Shortly after lunch, some people showed up in our yard & started assembling this big thing in our yard...
Sophie was the only one home & awake & she watched out the widows with wide eyes!
Several times she said to me, "Mommy, it looks like it could be a trampoline?!"
And sure enough, she was right!
Jeff & I surprised the kids with a trampoline for Christmas this year, and since we couldn't really figure out a way to hide it...
...and since the weatherman was forecasting snow on Christmas Day...
...we let the kids have their big present on Christmas Eve!
So far, it's a big hit!
Later on Christmas Eve, we headed to church, first to serve in the nursery for the 4 o'clock service.
(Look at all those cute 20-23 month olds!)
And then we celebrated the birth of our Savior at the 6 o'clock service.
Singing hymns to worship the newborn King by candlelight is always meaningful, beautiful, sacred.
Back at home, kids were put to bed & all was quiet...
Sometime in the night......
...Santa came & gifts were lovingly arranged...
...and stockings were filled by Mommy...
...because the kids know that is one of my favorite jobs, so Santa lets me do that each year!
Cookies & milk (& a carrot for the reindeer, please!) that were thoughtfully laid out...
...were nibbled & enjoyed...
AND THEN IT WAS CHRISTMAS MORNING!!!
Sophie had to unpack her stocking under the Christmas tree!
Drew enjoyed checking out everyone else's loot just as much as his own!
Drew was quite pleased to score a "big kid" water thermos in his stocking!
And a brand new sippy cup, too!
Proper hydration is important at all times!
Don't you love the bed-head in all the Christmas morning photos...it is too precious!
After checking out everything else, Drew is finally ready to get down to business in his new workshop!
Hmmmmm, what to fix next?
After stockings, but before opening our presents to each other, Jeff read the Christmas story from our Advent Book so we could finally open the last door!
(Little Note: Sophie isn't plugging her ears to the story...she's just adjusting the sticky earrings she received in her stocking!)
Christ our Savior is Born!
Drew is letting his little lights shine!
Sophie is first to start bringing presents from under the tree. It was so sweet to see how excited the kids were to give each other the gifts they had chosen for one another & carefully wrapped...they wanted to pass out those gifts first before opening all of their other presents!
Drew was still busy finding things to fix with his new tools!
Or finding things to illuminate with his new flashlight!
Or helping Daddy get a fire started in the fire place...
...it sure was cozy & it made getting rid of the tissue & wrapping paper a cinch!
Before things got too crazy, we tried for a cute picture under the tree...
I guess the only other downside to the Little People Nativity...
...it's a bit of a distraction during picture taking time!
Sophie had wrapped-up these favorite books from her bookshelf weeks ago & kept them hidden in her closet as a special present for Drew!
Jack had also put together a special package of treasures for Sophie of things of his that she has always liked.
Drew finally sits down to open a package...
...and he's still unwrapping...
...and still unwrapping...
...finally, I think there's something in there...
...a new little wooden pop-up toy!
A new umbrella for Darcy because she didn't have one of her very own!
A game for all the kids
Sophie helping Drew open her present to him
What's inside??
A plane!
Special wreath for Mommy & Daddy!
Santa has been good to Jack...brining him a new team helmet & jersey every year for the past 4 years...Panthers, Colts, Bears & now, Cowboys!
Drew is getting the hang of the new pop-up toy!
See, you push them like this...
...and like THIS!
And then you put them back like this!
Sophie adorned in her new "jewelry"!!!
After the first mess was cleared (a little bit!), Grandpa, Yaya & Uncle Pete arrived bearing gifts & a nice juicy turkey!
We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas feast!
After lunch, Sophie & Pete colored Shrinky Dinks while we got the table cleared & the kitchen cleaned up...
...and then it was time for round two of presents!
...and more ooohhhs...
...and more awwwws...
...and more smiles...
...and more paper...
...and more showing this new treasure or that new game...
...and opening & assembling...and loading marshmallow guns...
(See Grandpa in the background?)
And it was a joyful, happy mess!
Just a short time (& no naps) later...we headed over to Jeff's parents' house for...
...you guessed it, Round THREE!
And, of course, good times with cousins!
Whew, now that's a LOT of pictures!
And now we have wrapped up our New Year's Eve Family Night (which I will share with you guys later!)...I am filled with such a feeling of peace, joy, fullness, thanksgiving for all of the blessings that the Lord has given us in the last year and for all of the ways He has grown us, matured us, stretched us. And I look forward with hope, expectation, praise, trust & joy for all that He has for us in 2011. I know that there will be hills & valleys, laughter & tears, but I know that He will hold us, lead us, guide us, shield us, discipline us, & provide for us every step of the way because I am confident of this, "that He who began a good work in {us} will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus!" Philippians 1:6
A Blessed & Happy New Year to you & yours...
4 comments:
I loved seeing your pictures. I love all of your family. PS. Would it be ok if I came by and picked up Drew and the broom? I could really use a little helper at my house today. :-)
I.Love.Your.Family!! Seriously, such precious and darling little faces your kiddos have. So happy you were all together and HEALTHY on Christmas. The pics show a wonderful story of all that you did... and nothing is sweeter than seeing faces light up with the joy of new gifts. And, I guess it's a-ok that you spent several days staying in your jammies. :)
Oh Melanie...what a sweet Christmas you all had and what a blessing to have your brother join you all too! Having everyone together is always so special!
Great photos! Looks like a lovely time together and celebrations! We love the fisher price nativitiy too! It's definitley a favorite with our two. Have a wonderful New Year!!!
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