Making new traditions - Merry Christmas!!!

This year was our very first year to celebrate Christmas by ourselves as a family.  We had no other family in town, no one visiting, we weren't traveling, we were here, at home, by ourselves.  And I gotta be honest, it was AWESOME!  We had SUCH a great time as a family.  Not to discredit the times with other family, but it was a time when we could make our own traditions.   

Our church had it's church services on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas.  We didn't spend much time with Lee Christmas Eve because he was at church most of the day for the four services that our church had.  It was such a special service and we are so thankful for all who put in so much time to make it that way.  After the service we had a friend and her two kiddos over.  The adults basically stood in the kitchen and snacked on things on the stove while the kiddos played.  It was a late night and the girls didn't get in bed until about 11, but we had fun!

So back to Christmas.  Christmas morning we all slept in.  Well, our kids don't really sleep in, but we had a lazy morning.  I would never admit it of course, but we may, just may have spent the entire day in our pajamas.  I will never tell though:)  We let the girls open their stockings, read the Christmas story and had the girls act it out with their Little People nativity, and then opened presents.  The girls were SO grateful and appreciative for all of their presents.  They kept saying, "thank you, thank you."  They wanted to share and were so thoughtful to each other!  It was really cool to see.

Two of Ana's favorite presents came in her stocking, a pack of gum and a box of princess band-aids.  She almost went through the entire package of gum yesterday.  Yes, she was chewing a piece all day except for when she was eating, but she was also sharing.  She made sure anyone that didn't have a piece DID have one.  And of course she had MANY owies that needed band-aids, and Lee and I didn't realize it, but we had SO many owies that needed band-aids, and their princess dolls they got for Christmas did too.  We were covered in band-aids from head to toe:)  And then there were the stickers (another stocking gift)...you can only imagine. 

 

This Christmas we decided to get the girls just one gift and then their stocking stuffers.  They each gratefully received one of these adorable princess dolls. 

 

Which one is the real Christmas princess?

We also let the girls buy each other a present (if they wanted to, which they both did) with their own money that they have earned from doing chores during the year.  Ana got Isabel this puzzle, which is really 3 puzzles that connect into one large one.  A fun project during the day. 

And then there is Klara.  Her 1st Christmas!  She is really SO sweet! 

Instead of the traditional turkey or ham Christmas dinner, we had steak and twice baked potatoes, followed by "Nordine" dessert (if you don't know what this is, invite yourself over sometime and we'll make it for you).  Lee and I both said it was a tradition we could get used to.

Another highlight was calling & texting family & friends throughout the day, some we don't get to see or talk to often.

And this is what Lee and I wanted to do all day after staying up late the night before being little elves

 

Again, a great day!  We feel blessed!  A wonderful day to celebrate our Creator, our Savior, the birth of our King, the GREATEST gift of all!

“Glory to God in the highest,
   and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Ana on Owls

She does have a slight cold so her voice sounds a little funny.  She looked through this book for about 15 min. just talking about the owls.  Here is 2 minutes of her conversation.

2011 Merry Christmas

 Commentary from taking this picture.  "Look at the camera!  No, don't sit down!  Look, look, look!  Say Monkey.  Ok, I'm the only one looking at the camera.  Let's try this again."

 A little better...

My dad is awesome

My dad and Pacquiao!  If you don't know who Pacquiao is, google him.  EVERYONE in the Philippines knows who Pacquiao is.  Pacquiao's children attend the same school as my nephews and Pacquiao was there watching the school's Christmas program!  My dad claims Pacquiao wanted HIS autograph and wanted his picture taken with him, but the crowds around him made it too crazy...I don't know if I'm buying it...I'm just sayin':)  Love you dad!

 

My brother and his boys

I don't get many pictures of my brother and his family, he lives on the other side of the world, so when I get one I like to share it!  So here's Jon and the boys for all of our family that don't get to see them much either:

Guess that Nordine?

Can you guess the order of Nordine's? 

Couch time with Ana

Conversation #1

Lee: Ana, are you going to give mommy natural highlights (aka gray hair)?

Ana: No, Mommy doesn't have highwipes.


Conversation #2

Lee: Ana, do you know what this is?  This is Mommy's comfort arm.  You hold on to it and snuggle it and it's her comfort arm.

Ana: No it's not.

Me: What is it?

Ana: It's your armpit.

Andrew Peterson Concert

Last night we had the privilege of being invited to attend Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb of God Christmas concert.  Andrew calls it, "The true tall tale of the coming of Christ."

The last time we heard Andrew Peterson live was nearly 10 years ago at Lee's junior/senior banquet while at Moody.  The concert was at Navy Pier in downtown Chicago in this beautiful ballroom and Andrew was the entertainment for the evening.  It was a fun night and still has lots of fun memories for us.   

JSB nearly 10 years ago

So last night, we went along with our worship pastor, Brad, and his wife, Janelle.  I'm pretty sure Brad and Lee were both drooling the entire concert over all the amazing music, instruments, and equipment.  It was a great concert, and a great reminder of why we really celebrate Christmas.  If you ever have the chance to go, GO!  I know, I should have gotten my picture taken with him 10 years later.  Oh well, maybe we'll have to go again next year:)