The Big Day, Christmas 2011

After sharing breakfast, we all gathered in the living room to open the kids' gifts from me and John.

Elijah wanted to help Beth

I like to disguise some gifts. This box held money for John, Jr.

Daniel's turn

Anna and Jamie opening together

Happy with "Baby Alive"

Greg's was really disguised. This round canister held gift certificate to a Broadway show.

Elijah's ready to go back to bed with his new bed spread.

Then we got dressed and packed the van with food, presents and 8 people! We were off to Nana and Grandaddy's house.

After a big meal, we opened a slew of presents from Nana and Grandaddy and my brother's family.

Then it was time for basketball

And Dance, Dance Revolution

Even John tested his coordination with DDR

Then, it was time to go home. I couldn't help, as I do every year, to feel a little let down. I work, anticipate and cook, cook, cook, and then it's all over. It really is kind of sad.

But I have to remind myself that it isn't the presents, the food or where we celebrate, that matters. It's all about the people.

Collectively they make a lovely picture:

Individually, they are each one just as wonderful!

Beth

Greg

John, Jr.

Anna

Jamie

Daniel

Abbey

Elijah

The proud papa and my partner for life, John!

So, now it's on with life, but the wonderful memories of Christmas 2011 are engraved on my heart!

It was "my favorite kind of day"!--Christmas Eve

We have a super cute video of John Jr when he was about 5 or 6. It is Christmas Day, and as he was waiting for his turn to open presents, he is bouncing on the couch emphatically stating, "This is my favorite kind of day"! This Christmas Eve, I could echo John's words. It was a wonderful day. From the start to the finish, it was a dream day. The excitement began with Beth and Greg's arrival on Friday. Their flight was delayed, but not by much.

We started our time by going to an early afternoon service at church. They played a hilariously cute video of kids answering questions such as, "What do you want for Christmas? What do you not want? What does your Mom want? What is your favorite thing about Christmas?" To this last question, they showed our little girl, answering, "It's Jesus' birthday!" They also showed our neighbor and friend, Caleb, saying he liked to go caroling. That led to kids butchering Christmas carols and again, Abbey was on screen singing, "I wish you a Merry Christmas, I wish you a Merry Christmas...." The service was funny, touching and very appropriate. We all enjoyed it immensely.

When we got back home, John, Jr came with a box full of oysters. I'm not sure if John, Sr. was more excited about seeing John or the jellied sea creatures that came with him?? I'm just joking, but he was tickled to be able to eat some roasted oysters.

Abbey got her first taste of oysters, and she echoed her Mom's opinion...

First she sniffed it...

Then she tasted it....

Then she promptly spit it out! (Elijah couldn't believe she did that)

She declared, "Yuck, it tastes like ocean!" That's my girl!

When nightfall came, we gathered in the living room.

John was the first one in

She loves those sisters!

John, Sr. played the guitar and we sang some carols. Daniel read the Christmas story from the Bible.

The kids, me and John exchanged presents. Then we went out to walk around the neighborhood to admire the luminaries and lights.

My precious gang!!

So happy to have all of their family together.

One set of newlyweds

Another set of newlyweds.

My young men

Our house

 When we got back home we gathered in the kitchen a pigged out. I had been cooking and baking all week, and we had a large assortment of yummy stuff. From cookies to cheese, from beef stick to buffalo chicken dip, it was a dieter's nightmare, but ohh sooo good. Even better than the food was the company. Everyone loved being together. There was no shortage of conversation and its resulting laughter. Oh, my heart just jumps with glee at the memory! Such a blessed family time we had!

Pigging out!

Then it was off to bed in preparation for further celebrations the next day. Always the last to bed, that night I reflected on the day. I made note of how incredibly blessed this Mama is, and how grateful I am to have my family all under one roof for a little while. I praise God for each member, ever unique and ever special! Every single one, a gift to me!

Christmas Traditions part 3- Parties!!

Each year, just like most folks, we have several parties that we are privileged to be included in.  The first party this year was our small group's 3rd annual caroling party. Our small group consists of 13 kids and 13 adults, quite a crew. When we get the young and old together, the noise level is deafening and chaos reigns. But, we all thoroughly enjoy it. All of the kids are adopted, so they share a bond.  This year, we set out to go caroling around Betsy's neighborhood. What a picture we must have presented. The kids would run up, ring the doorbell and just stand there. We even had one house take our picture. (I'd have included more pictures, but my battery died very shortly after we arrived.) It was quite comical. My two kids remembered that last year one house gave them candy canes. They anticipated that every house they went to this year would be the house and give them candy. So they would stand there and smile until we would have to come up and shoo they away.  Next year, we will have caroling lessons so that they are more prepared!  Anyway, we had a great time.

Our kids surely can wreck a room!

Guess we were too much for the tractor, it promptly lost all air in two tires!

Our kids see each other as family!  Here are Abbey and Corrie.

John and I went to a couple of adults only parties. The first one was our "young married" friends' party. Yeah, I know you raised an eyebrow at the term "young married" being applied to me and John!  We have been close friends with these three other couples since the days when we actually were all young marrieds. We have been doing life with these folks for many years. We see each other occasionally, but consistently we get together as couples at Christmastime. I love all of these folks. The conversation just flows and we laugh so much. We got there and before we knew it 4 hours had passed by!

The second adult party was also with a group of old friends. For the past 24 years,  every Friday morning at the extreme hour of 6 am, John and these guys,

The Friday Morning Group aka "The Guys"

meet together to study, pray and encourage each other. John loves these guys and rarely misses a meeting. Once a year the wives join them and we share a meal and conversation. I enjoy seeing the wives and listening to the guys tease each other. After dinner we played a game, "Mafia" that was led by one of the guy's college- age daughter.  This game pointed out an interesting fact about me and John.  I was the "mafia" one time and John picked me right out, goes to show that he knows me too well!

I'm very grateful to Daniel and Anna, who kept Abbey and Elijah so I could have a couple of adults only nights! It's easy to leave when you know your little ones are being well taken care of!

Christmas tradition part 2, Visit with John's side of the family

Every year on the last Saturday before Christmas eve, we can be found with John's family celebrating Christmas. We rotate houses, last year ours was the gathering house, this year we traveled to Charlotte to Chuck and Kathy's.

We share a meal together and then just hang out. Hanging out, for my husband and boys usually means a rousing game, or two, or three, of  "horse" or "pig". When giving out genes for competiveness, God graced the male members of John's family with an overabundance.

While the big guys played the younger set was playing also.

Kiera, Elijah and Abbey acted like they had known each other all their lives, instead of just a few hours.

Abbey discovered Wii bowling

When the games were over, everyone sat around and got each other caught up with the happenings in their lives.

Phoebe, Daniel, Chuck, Mark, Hannah and Sam

Matt, Kathy, Susie and John's Mom

David and John

Getting some loving from Aunt Kathy

Elijah being silly with Sarah

 Everyone enjoyed reconnecting, and the best thing was that Abbey and Elijah slept the entire 3 hour  ride home. Wonderful not to have to answer, "Are we there yet?" every 5 minutes!

Christmas 2011 memories, part 1..Cookies!

The presents are all opened. The food's all been eaten. The older kids have all traveled back to their homes. Christmas 2011 was one of the best we've had in a while. It's now time to record the memories...

We always have lots of cookies to make and give away to friends, neighbors and our community helpers. This year, my cookie making crew was a little thin in numbers. Just me, Abbey and Elijah!

A few weeks earlier, we attended the OAKS annual Christmas party get together. Of course, I forgot my camera, but Kristi got a couple of pics for me.

 I guess Abbey's growing up and realizing it it actually better if you can see and taste the cookie instead of a whole bottle of sprinkles!

Elijah opted for a swirl design this year.

Just a couple of our Christmas traditions more about the others later....

Wonder what his favorite show is?

Rocko, that is..

He doesn't look too impressed, it must not have been his favorite channel?