Christmas 2015

The calm before

Excited kids trying hard to pose for the traditional Christmas morning picture.  It amazes me just how much this picture changes each year.  I love pulling them all out at Christmas and remembering the sweetness of years past. 

Luke was having a ball this year.  He loved unwrapping.  His favorite gift was a school bus book with wheels.

Kate's favorite gift...her American girl doll

Caroline's favorite gift was her elsa dress up dress and shoes

Matt loved his football field goal

Andrew is loving his walkie talkies

Emily has loved her sewing machine

Nick is a fan of his new iPhone

Jake is pleased with his new video games

Lined up waiting to unwrap their gifts from Pop and Nana

Waiting to unwrap a gift from Mr.Dean.  No surprise to see it wrapped in Clemson wrapping paper!

 

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday.  We were blessed to share it with family and friends again this year.  Brett's parents arrived the Tuesday before Christmas and his brother Van joined us on Christmas eve.  After church, we enjoyed delicious wings and snacks before putting the kids in bed.  Christmas morning was full of memories.  The kids were all sweet about receiving their gifts and overjoyed with their new things.

 

It was a very merry Christmas!

 



Christmas Eve 2014

Our tradition...new Christmas jammies that arrive on Christmas Eve.

 

Christmas Eve Church Pictures

 

"There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit."

Isaiah 11:1

 



December 19th

 This morning Carl brought us some quiet activities. Our schedule has been busy this week, so he thought a day at home coloring and doing puzzles was in order.

 Luke has joined the excitement of finding Carl this year, which is fun to see.  He wakes up every morning and asks where is Carl?



December 18th

 

 It's gingerbread house day!  We invited our friends to join us a couple of weeks ago.  The kids had a really great time decorating this year.

 

Thankful for the blessing of friends to share this memory with.



December 17th

 

 Painting new ornaments for our tree

Each one turned out unique.  Excited for next year when we unpack these beauties and each child remembers an afternoon of painting and creativity.



December 16th

Carl arrived ready to celebrate Matt's 9th birthday today, Clemson style.

He wanted to join in on the fun, so he borrowed a Clemson t-shirt from one of our tigers!

 

 We had plenty of time before the party tonight to make snowglobes.

Carl brought all the supplies.

jars

small pine trees

glitter

glue gun

water

 

 

Happy Birthday Matt

 

Dear Matt,

We are so thankful that God blessed our family with you.  You can see from your smile that you are filled with joy!  Your heart is good and kind.  You're a great brother, so patient and sweet with your siblings.  You love Clemson sports and had a great year supporting their teams this year.  I pray for you everyday to continue to grow in your faith.  To know that God loves you and has great things planned for your life.  I pray that the passion you have for sports now will be used by God later in life to reach others and bring light into their lives.  I pray that you will continue to grow into a man of God.  You have been given a tender heart and sweet spirit, use it well.  May you grow to love learning this coming year.  Remember to love others well and serve them in a way that points their hearts to Christ.

 

This is the verse that I pray for you everyday.

"With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments."

Psalm 119:10