Christmas 2008

We had so much fun this Christmas. The day before Christmas Eve there was tons of snow on the ground but Christmas Eve it started melting and now it's all gone (via the rain and sun). We did have a White Christmas but it was an old and dirty white Christmas - not the kind you imagine or see on postcards.Christmas eve I had a Dr apt in the late morning after which we went to Rachel & Tyler's Ugly Sweater Party. We had so much fun eating, talking and making boxes to take to local charities. This year we went to the Ronald McDonald house and dropped off a box of food, toys and toiletries. It makes everyone feel so good to share and give at Christmas. There was a toy in the box that Abygail especially liked and we told her she could hold it and look at it in the car but that we would have to give it to another little girl who was sick for Christmas. When we got to the R.M. House she went inside with Jason (Jackson was asleep) and willingly gave the toy away - so sweet!That evening we opened our PJs and took our annual PJ picture, then we read about the birth of Jesus in Luke and talked about it with Abygail who understood a little of it. Last year she and
Jackson got a nativity set from Allison and they have loved playing with it this year. After we read Luke we talked about it and the figurines from the nativity set, it was a nice experience.

Christmas morning the kids went straight to the stuff that was unwrapped. Abygail saw her doll stroller first and she was very excited. Then she saw her dress up stuff (Sleeping Beauty, Little Red Riding Hood, a too too (sp?) with 3 pairs of shoes and 3 tiaras - all displayed nicely in her new dress up basket).
Jackson loved his building blocks and cars. He also loved the doll stroller :)

Jason and I also had great presents. Last year Jason got me a camera and I got him a water bottle that he still enjoyes and uses. This year the tables were turned and I got him a Wii and he got me a 2009 calendar that I will use and enjoy throughout this next year.

Christmas day I cooked dinner (ham, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie...and Jason made smashed sweet potatoes - yummy!). Our friends came over and we all enjoyed the day/evening. We played the Wii while the kids played with new toys and watched a movie.

We've had so much fun and we hope all of you had a very merry Christmas too!

Winter Weather

This post is for my family back in Texas and other parts of the country that don't get to experience all four seasons, but it is especially for Alicia who posted a picture of her kids playing on the swingset in their backyard wearing only socks, jeans, and shirts. Seeing the picture made me pause at the stark contrast to the weather we have been enjoying. I don't have pictures of Abygail's random tracks in the snow, nor do I have pictures of Amber's snow angel, my shoveling snow to clear the drive and sidewalks, or Jackson buried under coat, hats, and blankets galore in his car-seat, but thinking I wanted to share our winter weather (which I do so enjoy), I did take a couple pictures this morning looking through windows in our house. The first is of our backyard through the library window, and the second is of our front yard through our living room window.

Bits and Pieces Part 1