More Christmas at Mema and Grandad's

Nana got a new deviled-egg christmas platter. I'm pretty sure she liked it, despite the look on her face :)

Jean and Joyce got new purses

and what would Christmas be without a new pig for Wes!

...and Wyatt got a pig, too!

and for Jeremy, a penguin!

Christmas Celebration - at Mema and Grandad's House

So after our family of 3 Christmas, we packed up and headed down the street to Mema and Grandad's house (Wes's parents) where we opened even more gifts...

Wes got a "Flip," which he almost immediately began trying out on the family.

Jeremy, a shirt and tie

Katey, a new purse!

Mema, some new stadium seats for the Bowl Game! Go Tigers!

Grandma Nig, a new platter!

Christmas Celebration - Just the Three of Us

After breakfast, we all went into the living room where we opened gifts from and to one another. With many eager sounds and thankful smiles, Wyatt enjoyed his choo choo train while Wes and I opened up our stockings. Wyatt eventually opened up his, too.

a sweet hand-made card from my honey.

nothing says "i love you" like some new gloves and a hat!

Christmas Celebration - Christmas Breakfast

After waking up a very happy Wyatt on Christmas morning ("Yay Jesus" was his quote), we began a new tradition at our Christmas Breakfast table. In the spirit of adventure and beginning new traditions all in lieu of honoring our Lord and Savior, we started something that I believe will stick.

Wes read Isaiah 7:14-15 which says:
"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. He will eat curds and honey when he knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right."

That's right. We ate curds and honey.

So much fun.

Yay Jesus!

Christmas Celebration - The Choo Choo Train

Our gift to Wyatt was a train table! Wes and I had a fun time setting it up and watching everyone's favorite Christmas movie - "It's a Wonderful Life." We took some pictures setting it up and just enjoyed the calm and peaceful Christmas Eve together. It was also fun to fill each others' stockings without the other one knowing or looking. I love Christmas!

Hard at Work

Can't you just hear the train comin'?

Wes really enjoyed playing with it!

Finished Train Set!

Christmas Celebration - Opening a Gift for Baby Walker

Mom and Kayne were very sweet to think of baby Walker this year. Wyatt and I opened his presents together. You can see that the end result is NOT the selfless emotion I had hoped my two-year-old would have for his soon-to-be-baby-bro.

Thank you for the picture frame, mom! I love it!

Christmas Celebration - the Many faces of Big Pop

For those of you who know my dad well, you will appreciate this tribute to him. As you can see, he is very expressionate...and Nana, too.

Christmas Celebration - Christmas Eve at Kayne's house

We celebrated Christmas Eve by going to First Pres's candlelight service. Mom, Dad and Nanny came with us! Later we headed back to Kayne's house for some wonderful chilly and goodies. Then we sang Happy Birthday to our Savior, Big Pop read the wonderful story from Luke and Matthew while the children decorated the cake with the appropriate manger character. It was hysterical and so fun. After we sang Silent Night and Away in a Manger and then we all opened up some gifts. What a joyful time it was!

The boys got very nice Tiger shirts! Go Tigers!

Wyatt admired Big Pop's new book - as did Big Pop! I'm so glad you like it, Dad!

Joyful Nanny taking it all in.

Anna Grace got "what she always wanted." I'm so glad you love it, sweetie!

Nana got a calendar from Kayne - with the children's pictures!

A Joyful Celebration!

We had such a wonderful time celebrating our Savior's birth! What a joy it was to witness the awe and wonder of the story through the eyes of a two year old named Wyatt. This Christmas was special for this reason. My little boy LARGELY enjoyed this wonderful celebration of Jesus's birth. We celebrated many many times and enjoyed all the precious time with our dear family. We love you all! Thank you for celebrating with us!

The Bear: World Traveler to Sleeping Companion

We have this bear. He's been in our lives for several years. It started when Wes gave him to me one Valentines before we got married. Later, Wes took him away on a trip out west (unbeknownst to me) where he took this bear's picture in every place he stopped - all pictures which would later end up in a book that he gave me the night he proposed ending with...the bear holding a beautiful ring for me. :) Now, however, this bear has become Wyatt's buddy, to sit on, throw around, wipe his nose on, maybe drool on a little...and even moerecently, his sleeping companion.

Glory to the Newborn King

This year, Christmas has ministered to my heart in some fresh and new ways. I have found myself shedding new tears over this birth that I've read about so many times. I have been literally taken back and in awe at contemplating what took place 2,000 years ago - so many miracles that occurred. Faithful followers of Jehovah - who found themselves walking by faith and not exactly sure where they would end up. Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zachariah, the Wise Men...all took faith journeys...all might have been mocked and forsaken in their communities...by accepting and enduring the path the Lord had called them to.

I have thought so much about sending Christmas cards out and have not been able to get to it, but if I did, these are the words I would say. I believe this familiar carol says it so perfectly - glorifies Immanuel in the highest - and brings me to my knees in worship! I just want to bring glory in the highest to our Newborn King. That is my prayer for we in our family and for those of you who might read this..."Hail the heavenborn Prince of Peace. Hail the Son of righteousness!"

Christ, by Highest heaven adored
Christ the Everlasting Lord

Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of the Favored One

Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity

Pleased, as man with men to dwell
Jesus, our Immanuel

Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Glory to the Newborn King


Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace
Hail the Son of righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings
Risen with healing in His wings

Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of Earth
Born to give them second birth

Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Glory to the Newborn King

The Living Nativity

in awe of the animals at the living nativity at our churchhoping for some hot chocolate...
watching and learning...
new smile for Ethan, who played the toddler Jesus
so happy to be with his buddy, Ethan

The children of First Pres put on a live performance of the nativity story. The children memorize loads of scripture and literally walk us through the story. I was very impressed with their performance - I teared up at the fifth grade Mary's magnificat. It was an honor to be there and witness this sacred reinactment. Additionally, Wyatt enjoyed the real animals - including the camel, donkey, calves, sheep and lamb.