Christmas 2011

...a time for family, fun, refocus, and eating.

We made lots of Christmas cookies this year.....to share!

Lana's long awaited Christmas present! She has even started her own picture blog......has to keep up with her Mom!

Asha with her new cozy Christmas blanket.

Luke and Jeffrey were excited for more Lego's and Lego flat pieces.

Even Rusty got a Christmas present. Santa's Little Yelper shirt. He is our little yelper!

We spent two days in Oregon with my Sister, her family, my Dad, and his new wife.

Sweet Aunika is growing up too fast!!!

Joyce and I took turns holding the baby!

Opa and Marissa singing Christmas carols by the fire.

The three musketeers.

The Lego boys....also bestest cousins. They have so much fun together!

Merry Christmas to all!

Jeffrey's 6th Birthday

Celebrating Jeffrey is such a joy and delight! As we went around our table at dinner and shared what we love about Jeffrey, here were some of the comments: "I love how Jeffrey plays Lego's with me, I love his smile, I love how he brings joy to our family, I love how he makes us laugh, I love his hugs....." As you can see, Jeffrey brings our family much happiness.

"Your under arrest!"

"Knock knock...whose there??"

"Come give me a kiss!"

"I'm six now!"

Jeffrey is really into two things right now.......Legos and playing the Wii. Both he enjoys doing with his big brother. For his birthday he got a Cars 2 Lego set and a new Lego Star Wars Wii game. So exciting!

Happy Birthday my little man!! You make my heart HAPPY everyday!!!!!

Oh, Christmas Tree

It's that time of year again!

Last Sunday we drove 30 minutes to a small Christmas tree farm.

It had rained all day....but stopped for the hour that we were at the farm (so thankful)!

We had a pretty hard time all agreeing on the "right" tree.

After some searching, we decided on this little beauty.

Luke is ready to cut it down!

Time to take the little guy home!

Lana wanted to take this Charlie Brown Christmas tree home.

We even got a ride on a tracker for a better view of the farm.

At home!

Under our tree I always put our nativity sets.

We added a new one this year.

The nativity set on the far left was my mothers.

I remember it at her house growing up...so priceless to have it at my house now.

The one on the right my parents brought back for us from Israel.

The Little People Nativity set is a must, and the kids still enjoy playing with it.

These are precious to me....and help me remember why we celebrate Christmas!!!

Rusty celebrating Christmas by the fire....where you will find him everyday!

Silly hot dog!

Thankfulness

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm full with thankfulness and here is why:

my family got to be together for Thanksgiving

everyone was healthy

i got lots of help with the big turkey meal

my turkey that i fretted over turned out pretty good

my table was full of people i love dearly

laughter and thankful hearts

sweet times of reading the bible and sharing

a brother-in-law that loves to cut the turkey every year

a sister that makes awesome stuffing

a baby to spoil

lots of time with my newest niece

she loves her auntie colette!!!

SO THANKFUL.......