christmas

ben was on call Christmas and new year's weeks, so we didn't travel.  thankfully, there was surprisingly little call activity, so we had some good time to ourselves!  we were able to make the Christmas eve service, though daddy had to walk the halls with little man, who does not seem to know the meaning of 'quiet' =p  after a little dinner (you've never seen the girls eat so fast), some kiddos fairly flew down the stairs:

awaiting the gift distribution with great anticipation

someone's excited about her stash

 

and someone's getting buried

 

'shooooo!'

love at first sight

 

from c - see note below

interpretation, left: from L - 'Chloe I love you I hope you have a good time at school'
right: from C to S - 'A daedae (stuffed animal) for you and for all through the night you will be calm'

trying on everyone else's shoes too

kit's typewriter

the gift I might have been most proud of: a board book called 'who loves si?'

 

 

a baseball-shaped frame

the girls also made all kinds of craft gifts, which for some reason i didn't get pictures of - glitter glue scenes of the first christmas and the manger, christmas eggs and chicks with leftover easter supplies, string and wrapping paper bracelets for each other... it was so fun to see their joy in giving.

 

for daddy and little man

daddy also got some unwrapped holiday goodies

everyone finally off to bed, and santa duty done =)

Christmas morning!

chocolate coins in the stockings

mmm, good!

starting her no-sew quilt

s and I tried out the reindeer ornament before doing it with c's class

 

oh boy, lots more things to dump out! ;-)

the bunkbed and clothes rack were dragged all over the house for days

we had a friend over for Christmas dinner who took this pic for us

someone enjoyed his cranberry sauce

and some girls enjoyed toasting with their sparkling juice

thankful for the special time to celebrate our great gift, Emmanuel, God-with-us every moment, all year long.  so, happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!!