Christmas, 2010

(Warning...LONG post, but lots of pictures-whoo-hoo!)

Ahh...back in blogger-land again this fine Monday afternoon. It's been a whirlwind of a two weeks and I have so much to share. It's taken me about 45 minutes to crop, fix up and download all the pictures from this Christmas. First, Christmas was such a blessing this year. It always is, but for some reason, the Lord's presence was evident in our home this season and it gives me such delight knowing that our children are walking in God's truth (III John 1:4). I love hearing them quote scripture with me throughout the day (we're working on Philippians 4:8,9 right now and Avonlea has it pretty much down pat), knowing that they're hiding His Word in their hearts forever.

My Christmas baskets turned out splendidly and don't you know I forgot to take a picture! I did include a Mason jar of homemade laundry detergent and people were astounded when I shared that I could make a whole 55 gallon storage bin of it for roughly $3.00 (lasting us about 5-6 months). Note to self: e-mail recipe out to those that asked. :)

Christmas Eve, the kids received bunnies. Yes, three adorable lop-earred baby bunnies. We're thinking they're all female, but only time can tell. The cage Rob built has a girls' quarters and a boys' quarters just in case. :) (Pictures of this to follow.) The black rabbit is "Lightening McQueen" and belongs to Lincoln. The white rabbit is "Snowflake" and belongs to Avonlea. The gray rabbit is Norah's and her name is "Flopsy", or as Norah likes to say "Bobbi" since she can't say bunny.

Christmas Eve was spent at church and then up to Mom and Dad's for some exchange gifts. The elephant gifts were hysterical this year and they just keep getting worse and worse. :) Good times.

No, it isn't Norah's 1st Christmas, but the hat was too cute.

special times

Dad stirring the fire

Dad, Lincoln and I warming up by the fire.

It's always fun to see family that we haven't seen for awhile.

Got home late Christmas Eve, kids to bed and Christmas morning came so quickly. The kids didn't receive a truck load of gifts this year. We kept it to 3 each and they were still so appreciative. Last year we realized how important it is that the kids purposefully did NOT recieve a ton of gifts. That's not what Christmas is about. After our sweet family time, I ran to the kitchen and began finishing up homemade cinnamon buns and fresh egg casserole to take to Mom and Dad's for Christmas breakfast. It was delectable! Always is.

My hottie huz and his new well-needed tool belt.

Lincoln's garbage truck...his favorite gift.

our pretty tree

Avonlea's remote control My Little Pony airplane.

Norah observing

homemade cinnamon buns with cream cheese icing...yummy!

homemade baked French toast

Fresh egg casserole...I usually make it with spinach, cheese and tomato, but I bit the bullet and did bacon for everyone else. :)

Mom's hashbrown egg casserole (Mom and Dad have chickens as well so everything was of ultimate freshness!)

Mom and Dad's tree

Cousin Gracey - 6 yrs. old

Dad and Nate setting up the camera for the Christmas morning festivities

Wrestling...what else?

Mom and Dad looking fabulous :)

Getting ready for gift giving

My brother Nate got a special gift from my husband this year. Let's just say it's a tradition between the two! Last year Rob got Smurf boxers (don't tell...shhh!).

Posing, yet again

Dad got Rob a chicken knife set for culling, plus slip-resistent gloves for plucking.

Showing off his great gift.

After Mom and Dad's we sped home to finish packing for the best present of all...a family trip to Washington D.C.!!! Rob's brother is in the Coast Guard and is stationed in Arlington, so we had a place to stay. We flew up Christmas Day and spent the most amazing 5 days with Rob's brother's family and Grandma. Grandma flew in all the way from China to see us (she's teaching music at an international school there). The kids saw snow for the first time walking to the car from the airport. We had a miniature snowball fight in the parking lot. The next day we received snow which was a treat since we didn't get snow the rest of the week. Somehow, amongst all the snow storms, D.C. steered clear. So, we didn't do any sledding or skiing. BUT, we did go to a bunch of the Smithsonian museums and the most amazing day was spent at Mt. Vernon, the home of our very first president George Washington. It was gorgeous and it was everything you could want in a home for a family who loves gardening and wildlife. 8,000 acres of grassy hills, livestock, fruit orchards, gardens and right off the Potomac River. Took my breath away a few times.

(Our D.C. pictures will be for a whole other post due to how many pictures we took and it just needs a post of its own!)

We got back home on New Year's Eve, headed to Mom and Dad's after unpacking and tiding up the house a bit. They cooked us a full dinner (good thing since we didn't have much in our fridge at that moment!), we did fireworks and headed home at a reasonable hour. We attempted to watch the ball drop on TV, but I fell asleep on the couch and woke up to a sweet "Happy New Year's" kiss from my hubby. We got a few things done around the house and the yard this weekend, but mostly just relaxed and enjoyed the time being together. Today, it's back to the drawing board as Rob is back to work, we're back into full-blown chores and schoolwork and I've officially opened up my daily planner again as time no longer stands still. The Florida weather has us back in flip flops and no more bundling up three kiddos to go out to play. Bittersweet. I've got cookies in the oven, kids are napping/playing quietly in their rooms and I'm determined to get this post finished as promised.

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's. May I wish upon us all that we grow closer and closer to the Savior, needing His presence each and every day this 2011.