Christmas 2009

Miraculous Conception

…She was found to be with child of the Holy Spirit.  Matthew 1:18

Miraculous Birth

…There has been born for you a Savior, Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:11

Miraculous Person

And she will call His name Immanuel – God with Us.  Isaiah 7:14

Merry Christmas!!  I know this post is about a week late, but I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, celebrating the birth of our Savior.  This Christmas has been such a sweet one for our family.  We closed the studio for this past week and it has been the most wonderful time of staying at home and just enjoying being with one another.  Every single one of us needed that time to relax and just play together.  It’s been perfect.  I’m so thankful for my little family!

Both Clara Beth and Makgill were adamant that we WOULD see snow in Florence on Christmas Eve.  Why??  Well, it snows in all of the Christmas movies on Christmas Eve, therefore we WOULD see snow.  And guess what??  We did!!!  While on our way to my parent’s house for supper before the Christmas Eve service at church, we passed a snowman.  All of a sudden I hear Collin say in the seat beside me “You have GOT to be kidding me!” and puts the car in reverse.  He backed up and there it was…the cutest little snowman sitting in the grass!  Turns out there was a man from Asheville visiting the people who lived there and he brought along some snow that had fallen into his truck.  The kids at the house made a snowman and, Voila!  My kids DID see snow on Christmas Eve!!

We spent some time at my parent’s house, headed to the Christmas Eve service at church, and then came home to set out cookies for Santa and food for the reindeer.

This year Santa got homemade Greek pastries.  Santa was VERY appreciative.  🙂

She was so cute and excited!  The kids are at such FUN ages.  It was so much Fun!!

And one last check on where Santa was on Norad before bed.  I love this series…especially Mak.  He was really thinking it all through!

And then Collin and I got to play Santa!  I look forward to this all year long!  We have so much fun putting things together, eating Santa’s treats, talking and laughing with A Christmas Story on in the background.  I LOVE Christmas Eve!!

Finally…Christmas morning!!!  Mak was in our room at 5:30 but we made him wait until 6:00 to wake Clara Beth.  Then we headed downstairs…

He headed straight for the race track (no surprise there) and she headed straight for…the suitcase?!?  Seriously??  There was a 4 foot tall dollhouse standing there and she grabbed the suitcase and said “I’ve wanted dis my whole wife!!!”

See?  First thing she grabbed!

I can’t even begin to tell you how many hours of enjoyment this little racetrack has brought my boys.  They love it!

They each got a suitcase and a couple of bathing suits in preparation for an upcoming cruise for Mak’s birthday.  Mak’s packing.  🙂

Miss CB’s dollhouse is so much fun.  SOOO many pieces of furniture and fun colors.  But the dolls??  A little scary…;)  Check out the body parts?!?

Li-Li and Boom-Boom arrived to see what Santa brought!

And…Birthday coffeecake for Jesus!

This may be the last year I get them to wear matching pjs.  SAD.  Mak’s really don’t fit him here.  The shirt was WAY too little and he didn’t even wear it and the pants were pretty short but I made him pull them down for the picture.

Next it was on to Nana’s for Christmas Brunch.  Reeves, Rebecca, Tal and Tess were there for a few minutes before heading out.

Here’s Tal with his picture face…Perfect.  😉

And poor, pitiful Tess.  Girly LOVES her food!!

CB wanted to hug Tal and World War 3 ensued.  It was great.

Mak and Aunt Erin discussing what Santa left him.

Sweet Caroline looks exactly like her Momma to me in this one!!  Pretty Baby Girl!

Reading with Boom-Boom

After leaving Nana’s we headed home for a lazy afternoon of playing.  And then our tradition of Chinese take-out for supper.  I told you we love A Christmas Story, right??  Great movie!!  Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra, Ra Ra Ra Ra.  🙂

Christmas this year was perfect.  And so was the week after.  Mak has proven himself to be surprisingly great at the skateboard and we have all enjoyed the Wii.  More pics to come soon!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!