Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! Sorry I'm so late with this post. Here are just some out of order pics that made up our 2008 Christmas holiday...
We go to my parents Christmas morning for breakfast. This is Dad sporting his new PJ's that look like worn jeans. Cool!
I made some soup-in-a-jar and cookie-in-a-jar gifts this year. I hear they're pretty good.
"Big" Grandmom opening her gift. She's so cute!
Christmas dinner at home... terrible picture, but the only one to remember all that good food!
Me with my uncle, Jimmy.
Cousin Taryn, and Aunt Sue.
Now, back to Christmas morning, Ashley opening gifts. Notice the utter DARKNESS out the windows. I woke up at 4:00 a.m., and couldn't go back to sleep. Ended up setting the gifts, making coffee, lighting candles, music etc.
Shawn opening gifts, Dylan hoping its for the both of them! :0)
Dylan and his Lego's.
OK, back to my parents for breakfast... Dylan loved his FOX racing gloves and shirt.
"Momma" Julie opening gifts.
Shawn's parents came over before the rest of the family. Jack really liked the Ripley's Believe it or Not book.
My favorite cousin, Dani, and her husband Mike.
Ashley and Pop Pop.
Chris and Taryn's, baby Calvin doing the Raven's cheer!!! So adorable!
The day ended with some time with our Best Friends, the Smiths. We exchanged gifts and "tried" to play a game (while sleepwalking)! We love you guys!
Puppies, kids and parents alike, spent some cuddle time and went to bed!
Oh, yeah, this was the puppies first Christmas. This is Cody, with his toys, taking a nap in SHELBY's bed. Too funny!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Christmas Gatherings!

Our favorite gathering over Shawn's parents house happens the weekend before Christmas. Audrey and I combine some of our favorite friends, family, and neighbors and have a great time of food, and fellowship, and GAMES, and PRIZES!!!

This year, I had a lot of fun with planning the games. Through the evening, prizes were given in the form of envelopes containing Monopoly money. I'll explain more about that at the end. :-)
After a warm up "Christmas Trivia," we gave prizes to the best - behind the back - no peaking - torn Christmas Tree. Not as easy as it would seem!
In honor of my dear one handed husband, we paired off and wrapped a Christmas gift using only ONE HAND each!
Ever hear of taping your mouth shut...
Shawn & Josh should have had this game, but they turned the paper the wrong way, and didn't cover the bottom :-(
Julie and John were the winners for the "fastest wrapped!"
There was also a prize for the "neatest wrapped." Ashley had the hardest time using only one hand!
The last game, I called for 2 volunteers. Thank you John for your willingness. Thank you Brother, for your "please don't ask me - pretend sleeping on wife's shoulder" unwillingness! (YOU KNOW ME TOO WELL!) Anyway, we split the group into two teams, and with decorating bag in hand, sent them off do decorate their "Human Christmas Trees!"
It surprised me how much SOME got into this... Oooohhhh the CREATIVITY!
The LAUGHS!!!
Presentation time was almost too much to take! For those who remember... I was having flashbacks of Tweedle DEE and Tweedle DUMB!!!
The final judging...
Did I mention they came complete with LIGHTS!!! Ha Ha Ha Ha!!!!! (Tears!)
OK, remember the Monopoly Money? Well after the envelopes were opened, the prizes came out and were "auctioned" off to the highest bidder.
The auctioneer? He did a fantastic job!
After the party, I gave the "Human Christmas Tree" lights to the kids, for their rooms. We're amazed every time we walk past Dylan's room...
"Merry Christmas to ALL, and to ALL, a Good Night!"

Monday, December 22, 2008

ABC Homeschool Fellowship!

ABC Homeschool Group's 1st Christmas Fellowship was a BLAST! The kids and parents all had a fantastic time!
Cammie and Annette enjoying their meal.
Scott and Debi Smith... and, well, you know.
Jeremy and Melanie Lee
Kimberly & Doug Tidquist
Mary and Pastor Kevin Coleman
Bruce and Patience Hutchison
The McMindes Family!
My baby and I... and well, you know!
The kids (and some adults) decorated cookies!
They ALL LOVED doing this!
Dena! LOL! ;-)
A group shot of the cookie decorating activity!
Baby Paul... so cute!
Behave! Mr. Shawn!
Pastor Josh stopped in for a sec. (He had to get back to the family at home, sick!)
Then the kids did some special music, skits and poems.
Cammie played O' Holy Night while Ashley sang. Very pretty! Ashley is looking forward to her voice lessons in January!
Nick and Dylan reciting a poem.
Anna with her hot cocoa!
Joel Porcher gave the homeschoolers a devotional.
Thanks Dena, Patience and Mary for all your hard work, at a busy time of year! It truly was a great evening with family and friends!

Ephesians 3:14-19

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen."