Christmas Gifts

I figured I should finish the Christmas catchup posts before the end of the year. We have another Christmas coming tomorrow with Shawn's family. But here are some pics of ours on the 24th. Most of our present opening was videoed but we did a couple snapshots...

This was the first year that we let the kids have some money to buy presents for each other. I was a little concerned Summer would have trouble keeping the secret, but she did a great job. Actually, it was Connor that didn't wait five minutes before telling Summer what she was getting. We did this so they could experience the joy in giving and not just getting. It worked! Both were equally as excited to give as they were to get. A tradition we plan to continue.

I LOVE this...a hug that wasn't prompted by Mom or Dad. Priceless!

Connor is so much fun to watch open presents! I think anyone who has witnessed it would agree. He gets so excited about each and every one. And his expressions...SO fun!

Shoes Summer had been admiring for quite some time now...so her!

And finally we placed Baby Jesus in the manger...the best gift of all!

A Connor Funny

Reflecting on Christmas Eve...

We went over to my parents to eat and then say goodbye to my sister, her husband and my brother, Gary. I wasn't expecting this, but I lost it - blubbered all over the place. We got in the car and as I was trying to pull myself together and focus on the fun night ahead with the kids, Connor peeped up in the back.

"Mommy, you sad?"

"Yes...a little bit."

"I will pray for you, OK?" (If you haven't yet figured out, Connor is our pray-er...prays about anything and everything - I love it!)

"OK"

"Dear Jesus, please help Mommy not be sick anymore (I guess he threw that in there from past experience) and help her stop fussing..."

I lost it again, but this time giggling instead of tears. I had just said something similar to him at Grandma's house.

I didn't want to leave, but Connor was being naughty and I also didn't want him to ruin the night for anyone else...so we headed out...and the tears came...

So now, the wound he had unknowingly help create he was unknowingly helping mend. So typical of my little man. He can bring you to tears in frustration and then have you laughing hysterically the next minute.

Hmmmm...maybe that's called survival.

Christmas at the Zoo

I should be sleeping, but I am not..so I thought I would try to catch up on some pictures...and so our Christmas continued...

For the past three years we have taken the kids to the zoo on Christmas Eve. It is a fun way to pass the morning and early afternoon as they anxiously await present opening time later in the evening. Plus, we have figured out the mall is crazy...the zoo is not. We basically have it to ourselves...with a few exceptions. We get personal, behind the scene tours and learn special inside information from the workers. We look forward to this every year and this year was no different.

We were starting our day early and it was cold (probably why I don't look so happy) but everyone else looks good, so I will share this one...

On our way to get some hot coffee we ran into a zoo worker who volunteered to show us how to "call" the fish to the window using our hands... And it worked... We all found these monkeys fascinating...Especially Chloe...

Connor with a lizard on his head?

Summer wouldn't get as close...

Posing...(they don't just hug without being told)Chloe's first ride on the carousel took her breath away...Shawn took a rest...While the kids played...OK, so the kids weren't the only ones that played...After playing monkeys, we were off to see the monkeys...Shawn says this is a family photo...humph...I discovered from my recent study of the Tabernacle, that God loved Him some acacia wood. So when I saw this sign...I couldn't help but take a picture... Oh, and of course, of the famous wood itself...The giraffes are always one of our favorites... A really big metal elephant...That Shawn decided to climb...
I was so proud of myself for climbing the alligator. Shawn said, "Now that is something to tell your grand kids."
Summer said, "Mom? You have grand kids?"
Another Summer story: I said, "Look Rhinos!" Summer says, "Oh, I see them! Are they pink?" Huh?
The real elephants...Chloe fell in love with a stuffed giraffe in the gift store...giving it hugs...
And kisses...
But it was Christmas Eve and we had presents waiting for us at home, so we left without it. We were off for naps, then to church, then to Grandma's to eat and then home for presents. Whew! What a day! Makes me tired just thinking about it...or maybe it is the wee hours of the morning that I am typing this that is making me tired. OK, off to bed...the present pictures will come later. Goodnight!

Questions...

I Gave My Life for Thee

Frances R. Havergal

I gave My life for thee,

My precious blood I shed,

That thou might'st ransomed be,

And quickened from the dead;

I gave, I gave My life for thee,

What hast thou giv'n for Me?

My Father's house of light,

My glory-circled throne,

I left, for earthly night,

For wand'rings sad and lone;

I left, I left it all for thee,

Hast thou left aught for Me?

I suffered much for thee,

More than thy tongue can tell,

Of bitt'rest agony,

To rescue thee from hell;

I've borne, I've borne it all for thee,

What hast thou borne for Me?

And I have brought to thee,

Down from My home above,

Salvation full and free,

My pardon and My love;

I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee,

What hast thou brought to Me?

I hear Him asking me...

"All this I did for you. What have you done for Me?"

Family Christmas

Today we said the last of our goodbyes to family that has been visiting for the holidays. I guess I should start catching up on all the activities.

Here are some pics from our family Christmas at Brian and Karen's house on the 23rd.

Uncle Larry and Aunt Vivian made a surprise visit down here. We hadn't seen them in years! What a wonderful Christmas gift!

I think this is the blog debut of my new hair. It only took me a little over a year to figure out the strange texture of my hair since having Chloe was actually curls. I had been using straightening shampoo, conditioner and leave in cream and still only getting frizz. Finally, one day, I left all that out and low and behold - curls! At least curls to me...after having pin straight hair my whole life! Oh, yea and the color is new too...that would be one of my Christmas presents to my husband. When he met me he fell in love with my accidental blond hair (thanks, Debbie! :)) and every once in a while, I bring it back for him. It never lasts long though because I get tired of the upkeep. Whew, I could have done one whole post on just my hair!
Chloe's new word and favorite thing - "baby". She says it so cute, going way high pitched on the last syllable. This baby in particular has become her new comfort item. A must have for bedtime and is dragged around the house with her most of the time. Maybe it is because they kinda look alike...blue eyes and bald. :)

All the "kids" before breaking out the presents! Uncle Larry and Chloe became fast friends. He took her to admire the tree and then around to get snacks. She loved him! "The Five Kids" We haven't all been together like this since 1984...that would have made me six. A little overdue, I would say.

All of us and Mom and Dad. This was definitely a Christmas to remember. Our little family. I feel like I need to explain Connor's attire...we brought the kids in their pj's since it would be past their bedtime when we left for home. Connor had spilled on his pj top so I changed him, but you never know when "something" could happen on the lower end, so I didn't change his bottoms...thus the mix-matched jammies. I guess, I could have kept it short and just said Shawn dressed him. :)

Auntie Vickie and Connor were about instant buddies. In fact, I thought she was going to take him home with her...but she left and somehow he is still here...hmmm...

Daddy's girls...but of course, I am the favorite. ;)

Oh! I love him! (The video camera would have been so much better for this!) I walked in on the guys discussing video games...something about shooting and what-not...all the while Shawn was holding a baby doll?
The girls busied themselves with crafts nearly the whole night.
A self-portrait. Oh! I love him too!
When we got home we allowed the kids to each pick one new toy to take to bed with them. Summer's choice...Connor's choice...are you surprised?
Then straight to bed they went. We had a BIG day the next day...those pics to come soon.

While they were sleeping, Shawn did this... :) :)!!!!