Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Christmas Recap


Now that the tree is down and I've swept up 3 dustpans of dead needles I thought I might do a quick Christmas recap.

Every year we do the kids pic with Santa. We did it growing up and it was so fun to look at the difference a year makes. Of course we tend to forget until like the day before Christmas and end up in an hour line with all of Knoville's other procrastinators. But it's worth it! I hate how Hunter looks like a "big boy" in this photo. He's changing before my very eyes into a little preschooler. I miss that chunky little face & blond shaggy curls. Good thing I've got another one to kiss on who I think may have declared on being a baby for life. The kid REFUSES to walk. As in he won't even try. I mean he can. He cruises around the furniture all day long but he has no interet in going mobile. I think he knows he's got it good being the baby & milking it for all it's worth. That's okay, his mama kinda likes it. :)
By the time Christmas is all said & done we have Christmas at 4 different houses. Don't worry I'm not blogging about all of them. In fact, I don't even have that many photos. I think by the time I chase around 3 kids I often forget to pick up my camera. But we did have a wonderful Christmas & we are VERY blessed.

These are from the Stanley Christmas. Two traditions take place at the Stanleys every year: Seafood is served & MANY stories are told. These two are from the story telling hours. And even though we hear the same stories every year they never get old. I think they actually get funnier. You try raising four crazy sons & you'd have some good stories too!


This is one from our Christmas morning. Every Christmas morning David reads The Innkeeper by John Piper. It's an advent poem he wrote for his church.

Of course there was lots of gifts, food, and chaos. Thanks to all of our family for all the wonderful gifts. Toys are overflowing from every corner!
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My little helpers My little helpers


The kiddos decided the other day they wanted to lend me a hand and help around the house. (You know your house must be dirty when the kids start volunteering for chores!) Of course at 4, 2, & 1 they weren't a whole lot of help but they were enjoying it so much I couldn't stop them. Washing the dishes was by far their favorite chore.
Really, it's irrelevant that there was more water on the floor than in the sink. And only one cup got broke. It's all about the memory, right? I'm sure in 20 years when I look back at these I'll think it was a perfect little moment. :)

Those cute little hineys. (Umm, yes, Anna Kate's pants are on backwards...)

Even Fred got a bath. See that teddy bear Judd is holding? Anna Kate picked him out of a toy bin at a Christmas event we attended. Juddso has claimed total attachment to him. Whether he is eating, sleeping, or playing he has a tight grasp on little Fred. (Name curteous of his big bro & sis.)

While I don't think I'll be handing over dish duty anytime soon they sure were adorable...and soaked!
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Ringing in 2010


Dinah turned 60 right after Christmas. We had a chance to throw her a surprise party at an Italian resturant in town. Here she is being "surprised." It was a sweet night to honor such a Godly woman. She is a joy to us all!
We went with Chad a Bec to a cabin in Gburg for two nights to ring in the New Year. Let's just say with 7 kids we didn't get to wild & crazy. We woke up New Years day to a beautiful white landscape. The kids were excited to go out & play.

I think this is Reese's "frozen" look. I could photograph her all day. She is so adorable - even with breakfast still on her face. :)

Mom, I think this must be Anna Kate's Florida genes coming out. Who draws a sunshine in the snow?
She must have been missing her Mimi.

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