It's Christmas!

Here's what we've been up to lately. . .

Decorating the tree . . .


Taking sweet and silly pictures . . .


Going to Alpine Village with friends and playing in the "snow". . .


Snuggling on the couch to watch Christmas movies . . .

Singing in the Mother's Day Out Christmas Musical . . .


And having fun with good friends . . .

Maylen is with some of the girls from MDO. These girls have been together for 3 years now and they are all so close. It's really sweet to see how their friendships have developed. (Abigail, Ava, Maylen, Lindsey, Finley, & Adeline).

Adeline with her "best friend" Mackenzie. . . they are partners in crime. They get in trouble during nap time for cutting up and making each other laugh, but they are really cute together.

What Christmas is really about!

December has got to be the business month on record for most folks. I think it's the most expensive month on record, too. I mean, I try to spread my Christmas shopping out and start a couple months early so it doesn't all hit at once. But with the parties, and the extra gifts you don't anticipate, like teachers you forgot to put on your list, extra desserts you have to make, parties, etc, it all adds up. It's all in good cheer and holiday fun. But I'm feeling a little drained right now, and not just of money--energy and time too. Ok, so that I don't sound like I'm complaining, I want whoever may still be reading my blog to know that I'm so thankful for all of these holiday activities. It's exciting, and memorable. I think some of my funnest memories are of holiday traditions. The excitement of the Christmas parties and the fun of baking and decorating a house to look festive, are all so fun and I'm very sentamental about them all. The things that have become my favorite are checking the mail everyday for Christmas cards -- I love the photo cards. And I love pulling the ornaments out and hanging them on the tree-- especially the ones that bring back memories of Christmases past (the girls handprints, the ones they made, the pictures of them). One of my mom's favorite ornaments of all times is of Steven, my brother, one year at Christmas when he was probably 4. He's got the sweetest little sad face. We always talk about how cute he was then. So now I've started getting pictures ornaments for the girls every year that I can put their picture in from each Christmas. Christmas is special, and I want it to be special for my girls. But I also don't want it to be so busy and crazy that we don't take the time to really enjoy these special days. I want the true meaning of the holidays to not be crowded out by our busyness. I was the joy of giving to not be squelched by the cost of a gift, or the busyness of stores. I want my girls to see the greatest gift as Jesus and His reason for coming to this earth. I want the girls to sing the carols and realize that the joy is that Jesus entered this very dark and bleak world to give us LIFE! JOY! PEACE! and an eternal life with Jesus, with lasting joy and no sorrow! "JOY to the world the LORD has come, let earth receive her KING! Let every heart prepare Him room! . . . And wonder of His Love!"

Giving Thanks in the Mist of Busy Life

We've had a lot going on around here! Too much to keep up with some days! The girls are growing and learning so much everyday. Maylen is now reading! She's doing a great job sounding out words, and has been adding to her "sight" words which is helping her read faster. We are so proud of her. We also had a little bit of a lesson in electricity the other day. Maylen thought it was fun to shock us with her kisses!


I ordered the girls portraits from their photo session at Lynn and Lynn. I can't wait to get them back. I'll have Adeline's portrait hanging next to Maylen's 2 year portrait over my mantel. I remember getting Maylen's done -- hard to believe that was two years ago. My mom, the girls, and I went to Anna Renee's tea room while we were in Oakland for my birthday lunch. I took some pictures of the girls. I had hoped to get some outside picture in front of the beautiful fall leaves, but since it's been so cold the girls weren't too happy with the idea.




William and I had the week of Thanksgiving off -- well William only had to go in to clinical one day. It was so nice having time at home to get things done around the house. William has been working on the house -- replacing siding, rotted boards and my bathroom window in preparation to paint the house. The actual painting might take place when there are some warmer days. One of our days home, Adeline was particularly self-entertaining. I found her in the bathroom painting Pooh with her paints. At least she was nice enough to paint on the toilet instead of the carpet! She's got that "caught red handed" look on her face.


We had a nice thanksgiving. We had lunch with the Janovich side of the family at Missy's house. The kid's table was full that day. Then we had dinner with the Pearson side at my mom's.



On Friday, I was eager to tackle clean up and decoration for Christmas. I had the girls help me rake the yard so that William could put the outside lights up. They were cute wanting to help blow off the driveway.



We are excited about the days to come and so thankful for the precious gifts that our children are to us everyday!