Here I Go!

I love my Friend Debi’s last post; she got all her Holiday break in one post, so I’m going to copy her idea. Here is our December all wrapped up in a pretty bow (I hope).

We started out by chilling.

Chris got these books for his Birthday and he Loves them!

Kind of a long story, but we did try and get lights up before it snowed and here is the proof. We ended up with lights on the bushes around the house instead. It was too hard to get it finished after it snowed. There’s always next year :). Thanks Mom for the extra lights so that we have enough to go up!!

December 2nd was Mom’s Birthday and we went to Colorado to surprise her for her Birthday.
It was a quick trip, but a GREAT one!

The boys were so excited to go and surprise Grandma at the restaurant. They were giggling most of the trip there.
The thought still makes me smile.

Our newest addition to the Family, Sassy.
Grizz thinks that she is “her” Toy… lol

The Ward Christmas Dinner. The boys were AWESOME!!
and we really enjoyed ourselves.

The boys got to see one Santa’s helpers.

Joy School Christmas Program for their Families.

Each of the kids got a certificate for giving different kinds of service to their friends during the month.

Spending some special time together with friends.
We went to a neighbor’s house together. Each year they set up a huge Christmas Village upstairs and downstairs a huge display of nativities. It was amazing and all the kids were great and really enjoyed themselves.

Community Service with the Activity Girls at the Food Bank.
We stuffed about 650 stockings for the children of the families that were picking up food the week of Christmas.
(They are in the boxes behind us)

We had our first snow since October!
The boys LOVE the snow!!

Chris has to make a snow angel any time he can!!

The whole group got into the fun!

My purple tree :)
(but of course)

I finally unpacked my Christmas China after 3 years.

Christmas Eve Jammies!

Poor Jimmy has the flu :(
Treats were left for Santa and the Reindeer.
Santa left a note in return :) (He’s gone “high tech” now days)
Christmas morning smiles!!

Time to play and explore!!
How cool to be 4 and have your own laptop!!
Thank you Grandma!!
A new Photographer in the family!!

Thank you Grandma!!
Christmas Dinner!! Yummy!!
(a request for a repeat of Thanksgiving)
New Years morning with friends.

So that is December in a nut shell, just to name a few of the things that it was made up of…
Now it’s just been 3 days back to “normal” and I already remember how much I loved being on break with no “real” schedule, no taxi driving, no homework, no evening rush for dinner, bath, and bedtime; just time spent together as a family.
I guess that’s what it’s all about though, and why we have to remember, and try to make the “season” last all year long. That is one of my goals this year.

Why do we wait till the Holidays to tell others how we feel about them, to share a piece of ourselves with others, to go the “extra mile” to make sure that we spend time with family and see loved ones that we only see once a year? Is that really what God intended for us to do? I don’t think so. I believe that he intends for us to do these things regularly, the saying that we loose ourselves in the service of others is so true. Aren’t our lives better enriched once we learn this ever so important lesson? We keep so busy that we forget what really matters, including our own families. I hope to remember this everyday, and not take for granite any time I have with my family and to share myself with others. Time is too short and precious. Thank goodness that we do have this special time of year to “remember”. What a wise and loving Father to give us this opportunity every year to re-connect with our loved ones as well as the opportunity to “give” of ourselves to others, without it, think how empty our lives would be. Not having the opportunity to “re-fill the well”.

Thank you to all of you that have given to me and my family not only over the holidays but the entire year. Thank you for the special Christmas Angels that gave so willingly to our family. It will be “paid forward” I promise!! We have been shown so much love and tenderness from so many this year. Thank you for being our family and friends. Thank you for being a great example of CHRIST'S LOVE.