This Christmas we were blessed beyond measure. NOT by the things given and received, but by simply being together as a family. Together we celebrated the greatest gift ever given, a sweet baby born to be our Savior.
On Christmas Eve, we went to Scott's parents' for our annual Birthday Party for Jesus. (Of course, I forgot my camera...) It was precious to have all 11 children singing and then reading the Christmas story from Luke.
Before bed, we made sure to set out cookies and chocolate milk for Santa...and carrots for his reindeer. :)
Christmas morning was full of wonder and squeals and many smiles.
(Socks "just like Mommy's!")
(Kenya animals :)
(This is Ella Beth's "tent." The only thing she asked for this Christmas was a tent. I bought this two years ago at the Pottery Barn outlet. It was originally $399.00, and I got it for $82!!! Well, my luck ran out for this good deal b/c two nights before Christmas we started getting it out (for Santa to put together, of course!)...and PB had given us the wrong frame for Ella Beth's cottage playhouse. Scott made a mad rush to Home Depot on Christmas Eve and spent 4 hours building a frame from scratch to fit Ella Beth's "tent." So thankful for a generous and very handy hubby!)
(Landon's big gift from Santa was his train table. He loves it, and he can be heard saying, "choo choo" as he goes around and around!)
(Her big girl bed, all made up!)
(A 10-foot roller coaster!)
(An art easel...complete with paint, chalk, dry erase markers, erasers, etc. Many messes masterpieces waiting to be made!)
(Have you ever seen a little girl more excited about Expo markers?!?!)
(We gave my mom a Brighton pocketbook with a picture of Ella Beth on one side...
and a picture of Landon on the other. She loved it!)
(We gave Scott's parents a 3-night cabin stay in Gatlinburg, TN for their 38th anniversary in February. I think they were tickled. :)
(My tiny family.)
(Scott's not-so-tiny immediate family.)
--
All in all, it was a wonderful celebration. Yes, our kiddos were spoiled beyond belief, but we tried our best to give all credit to God who really provides everything for us. I hope your Christmas was merry and bright, too!
