Christmas With Mommy's Family (and a little more)

Traditionally, Christmas with Mommy's family is on Christmas Eve. However, because there was more time afterwards with the weekend, we decided to head to Ohio the morning after Christmas. Thanks to everyone for being flexible! We're glad we were able to visit with you longer.

Again, Isaiah slept through the gift giving/opening process. He opened one or two gifts and needed to take a nap, so Mommy was a bit distracted and didn't get many photos. I'm hoping to get more from my brother's who were also taking photos.

Aunt Mel showing Uncle Josh "to be" how cool the book we bought him was.

Madison helping Papaw open his gift. I have to point out the hair -- she just started wanting to have something in her hair, but she is also attempting to do it herself --i.e., above hairdo.

Not a good photo, but Makenna was excited to receive a CD player for their room.

Daddy was happy to receive a Wii wheel for his racing game.

Madi obviously liked her Dora pjs!

My brother, Jon, brought his new camera that he uses for work as an Investigator for a law firm. You have to make sacrifices for a good shot!


My brother, Stephen and his girlfriend, Anna, stopped by for a little while.

My sister, Melanie, is getting married in July, so my mom made her a recipe book of tried and true, favorite recipes.

Saturday, we headed down to my grandparent's house. Just around the corner from their house is a llama farm. We slowed down to let the kids see the llamas.

We met my cousin's little boy, Ethan, while we were there visiting.


I found Isaiah picking the specks of dirt off his clammy feet. Guess they didn't belong there and he needed to get them off. Hey, it kept him occupied for a while.


Here is our Christmas Advent calendar. The girls anxiously added another sticker each day to complete the Nativity scene. We concluded on the 24th with the Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus sticker as we told the kids the real Christmas story.


This picture was too cute to pass up. I love how it shows most of his teeth. He must be part piranha. The doctor actually said he has a lot of teeth for a kid his age. We were at the doctor's office last Monday. He did really well. He did not grow at all and only gained one pound in the last three months. He is five ounces more than Makenna was and is the same height at 18 months. (Madi had the flu and an ear infection at that age and had lost weight, so it's not a good comparison.)

One last picture to leave you with . . .

The View From Our House New Year's Morning.

I see this as handfuls of purpose. He knew when He created the earth that one day I would be living here and enjoy this beautiful sunrise, and it would encourage my soul.

Lamentations 3:22-24

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.