Christmas

Christmas Eve 2009 was considerably more enjoyable than Christmas Eve 2008. Last year I was very sick while working all day, then half crawled to Christmas Eve church service with the family that evening, and literally passed out with my coat still on once we got home. I missed Christmas Eve entirely.

This year I was not sick. Neither was Aaron nor Eli. How wonderful! I actually felt great Christmas Eve despite having worked at the bakery until almost midnight the night before. And it snowed Christmas Eve! By the time we got home from work it was gusting and billowing outside. Wonderful weather to cozy up to a fire with a cocktail. We had tamales and enjoyed being home.

Around 2:00 a.m. Santa and I begin putting out the Christmas loot. We finished up around 2:30 and finally sank into bed, eager for some much needed slumber. Less than 15 minutes later Eli was at the side of my bed wanting up. He had not come down the front staircase so had not seen our handy work, but can you imagine if we had been busted playing Santa? Whew, just barely...

Eli really only got a big boy bike and a Star Wars battle ship from Santa. All the other was just small filler stuff, so it looks like more than it was. We spent 1/2 the morning trying to remove each toy from it's packaging....those twist tie things are annoying. What is the deal with those?

Woa...Eli was overwhelmed and didn't know which way to look.

He said he thought his bike was too big for him (it isn't).

Aunt Joanna and Tony came over on Christmas Day.

How cute!

Little Jedi fighter...

Eli's Honey sent him this Star Wars voice changer. That was a big hit. Everyone had fun trying it on.

Except for the fact that I missed all of our far away family very much, I had a really nice Christmas (speaking only for myself). It was perfectly cold Christmas weather outside, we had our fire going in the fireplace, Christmas music filled the house, wonderful food was plentiful, and we enjoyed our company. Oh, and my boys never got out of their pajamas. What a laid back and relaxing day.

We are blessed and have much to be thankful for. (Praise be to God.) Merry Christmas to everyone.

Dancing with my baby

Same Christmas party...Eli and I were cutting a rug. Look at his face in the last couple of pictures, he was cracking me up! I almost fell over from laughing.

Family Christmas Party

We were invited to a friend's annual family Christmas party (weekend before Christmas). This was our first year to attend, but we were so appreciative of the opportunity. They had a counrty band singing Christmas songs, Santa Claus, cookie decorating and crafts for the kiddos, food and adult beverages. We had so much fun.

Yes, Eli was forced to stop for this picture. Can you tell?

Eli was so glad B was at the party.

Every party has a pooper....

Umm hmmm...yep, that's mine, the one with the big, over-dramatic pouty face. Ahhh, makes me proud...

Class party at Reading Friends...the pre-K groups got together to sing songs. Eli really does like these songs, especially at home. He just decided not to sing, probably because I wanted him to. Did I do this when I was little? Probably...payback is hell.

Morgan Leigh

Morgan Leigh and big sis, Anna Grace...I had to put this precious pic up! Not only are they cute, but check out those dresses their mom, Sarah, made!

Morgan Leigh was baptized a week ago, and Matt and Sarah asked Aaron and I to be ML's godparents. We feel very honored.

Bishop Iker baptized Morgan Leigh

We went back to Sarah and Matt's after church and had a wonderful brunch. Eli wore all of our name tags from church for the rest of the day.

Sarah and Matt with ML (and us)

Thank you Sarah and Matt. We loved meeting your families and being a part of such a special day.

Born in Bethlehem

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4I6-9HFyYE


This is my favorite Christmas song of 2009. Of course, O Holy Night is still my all time fav, but this is a close second. This band, Third Day, is awesome...love Mac Powell's voice!

Santa Claus is coming...to town

Baby Book

I have been working on Eli's birth to one year baby book. Yes, I know he is four. I am so behind (in all aspects of life really). I had hoped to do something really beautiful with a scrapbook, but finally got a grip on reality...it won't happen until he is twenty if I wait for time to do that. Finally, friends of mine told me about the digital photo books they do each year for their kids. I thought, "that I can do". BUT, my next hurdle was that many of our digital copies of pictures were lost when our hard drive crashed a few years ago. My mom and Meme came to the rescue, sending Cd's full of pictures that I had emailed them. Thank goodness for technology....so, this is one of my favorite pictures that I thought was lost forever, but Honey found it!! Thanks, Mom!

Books have been ordered and will be sent out with our Christmas packages.

Esther

I have also been doing this Beth Moore bible study since Sept. Well, I studied with one group which began last Sept, and liked it so much I started the study for a new group about a month ago at my house. These Beth Moore studies are awesome...I can't wait to do another one in January. Anyone interested, let me know.

Parade of Lights

AG is giving Eli a hug at Sarah's request for a picture. You know, my son just will not cooperate for a photo opportunity. What a toot.

We went with Sarah, Matt, and AG to the Parade of Lights in downtown Fort Worth. I think both of our families have lived in the area for at least ten years and neither of us had ever been. It was a pretty huge deal....soooo many people! This is the annual event after Thanksgiving that officially kicks off the Christmas season. The last float and grand finale is Santa Claus himself.
We had a blast! Thanks, guys.

Thanksgiving from McKinley's

This is a photo of our Thanksgiving dinner from McKinley's. Yummy! We eat it every year.

Reading Friends Halloween Party

Eli's new school, Reading Friends, had a little Halloween party. We bought Eli's pirate outfit when we were at Disney at the Pirate of the Carribbean attraction (in August). Of course, by Halloween, he didn't want to be a pirate anymore. He was feeling the pressure to be a super hero...all the big boys (5 year olds) were super heros. I thought he was a cute pirate!

TCU Tailgating

When we weren't playing soccer we were gearing up for the TCU football games this past fall. This was our 2nd year to have season tickets, but our first year to buy a parking space and actually tailgate. This particular game we invited our friends, Matt and Sarah, and their two little ones, Anna Grace, and Morgan Leigh.

Matt and Aaron are grilling out on Matt's tailgate grill. Matt and Sarah are Aggies (Texas A&M), and Aggies know their football and their tailgates!! A&M tailgates are known to be awesome and over-the-top. Matt and Sarah were showing us the ropes.

Our little tailgate set-up. I bought Aaron the tailgate margarita machine for his birthday which was a big hit.

I wish Eli would show a normal smile when I take a picture. He has a beautiful natural smile. Oh well, AG is precious as always! They always get along great.


The #5 on all the kid jerseys is for LaDainian Tomlinson. He played for TCU and is now a pretty formidable player for San Diego. He still supports TCU and comes back to the games when scheduling allows. We saw him this season come out on the field and wave. He and the San Diego Chargers just whooped up on the Cowboys this past weekend.

Sweet baby, Morgan Leigh

Run Forest, Run!

Our second soccer season was much better than the first. Eli actually got out there and played, and even scored his first goal! We were so proud. He never fully grasped the concept of boundaries, however. Once he took possession of the ball he wouldn't stop running no matter what, and often ran over to adjacent fields. No problem...