Christmas 2007

Our Christmas Eve family tradition started with sticking the cookies in the oven for Santa and then running outside to sprinkle the reindeer food on the lawn. After the cookies were done, we sat down to listen to John tell the Christmas Story. While Santa and the gifts are always fun, we don't want our children to lose sight of the true reason we celebrate Christmas. Our lives would go on without Santa, they wouldn't without Christ. Our prayer is that each of you had a wonderful, meaningful Christmas and that Christ was exalted to the highest!

Christmas morning was exciting for all. Surprisingly enough, the kids slept in until 7:30! We couldn't believe it. We actually had to wake Dillon up! Faith was super excited Christmas Eve, telling everyone to get in bed or Santa wouldn't come. Dillon got lots of fishing equipment, Faith got a red/white/blue .22 rifle and lots of "horse" stuff and Audra got toys (she had more fun with the paper than the toys). After our Christmas at home, we packed up and drive for 4 hours to Glasgow to spend the holidays with family. We landed first at John's cousin's house with all of his extended family. Upon leaving there, we went to my grandparent's home to see my family. The morning after Christmas, we celebrated with John's parents and his brother's family. That evening we went to my parents to be with my brother's and their families. We had such a great time visiting with everyone and we all got awesome gifts! When asked if they had a favorite present, both Dillon and Faith couldn't stop with naming just one item. They got such wonderful things. We returned home on Friday and started the unloading process. . . and a process it was, as you'll see in the picture. Hope you enjoy the slide show!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except for the mouse. The stockings were hung by the. . ummm, front door with care, In hopes that St. Nick would soon be there. The children were FINALLY all snug in their beds, while visions of presents jumped in their heads. Momma in her flannels and me in my shorts, had just settled down for a long nap of sorts, when out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang for my 12 gauge to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, peeped through the blinds and then heard a clash. The moon shining bright on the ground gave me sight, when what should appear, but a tiny little sleigh, pulled by 8 reindeer. With a hefty ol' driver, so happy and quick, I knew it must be ol' St. Nick. I couldn't take my eyes off the deer, I remembered my gun and trembled in fear. All 8 were there staring, their fate in my hands. Could this be real or is it a dream, no out of their nostrils came the steam. My body was shaking, oh what should I do, their meat would make such delicious stew. As I drew up my hand, and was turning around, through the front door St. Nick came with a bound. Dressed all in his camo from his head to his foot, where was his orange, it was covered in soot. A bag full of hunting things flung on his back, he looked like he'd just left Blaine's Ammo Shack. As he emptied his goodies beneath the Christmas tree, I couldn't believe what he allowed me to see. Everything we needed from mossy to realtree, he knew what we needed, how could it be. When everything was done, he turned with a smile, his job here was complete and he'd done it with style. As he shut the front door, I jumped from the floor. As he sailed through sky, I heard him exclaim, Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!" ***Some of you may think I'm goofy, but this is what you do while waiting for the kids to go to sleep!*** :-) Might as well humor myself!