December highlights...

It's amazing how fast the Christmas season goes by.  What a busy time!  The highlights are as follows:

• Taking the kids to see Charlotte's Web at the Capitol Theatre.  It was during the day and we were able to go because we homeschool.  It was a fun family outing and we got to see all our RCS friends, which I admit made me (& Dawson) a little sad. 
• I got a CT Scan which I was incredibly nervous for.  However, God totally answered our prayers and the results came back clear which I am so grateful for.
• Dawson and Abby's first piano recital.  It was done at a retirement home and they both did such a great job!  I was so proud.  They have an awesome teacher!
• Dawson and Abby each had indoor soccer games on Saturday's.  It's been so fun watching them both play.  It makes for a crazy week with both of their practices but they're having fun.
• Sophie's first dance recital at Akin Theatre.  Be still my heart.  She looked so precious she took my breath away.  She was super excited to perform and wear her adorable costume. 
• Abby's first ballet recital at the Capitol Theatre.  The morning of she was backing out saying she didn't want to do it but I just kept getting her ready and by the time we got there she was so excited.  She was absolutely glowing up on the stage and didn't want to leave when it was over.  It was so awesome to see her come out of her shell and conquer a fear of hers.  She was smiling during the whole dance and looked absolutely beautiful!  She loved getting flowers at the end and we even went out to Sonic (her fave) afterwards to celebrate.
• Spent Christmas Eve Day at home finishing up some little things, a stocking's run (since our's disappeared), playing games with the kids and then going to a Christmas Eve service at our church. So thankful for the special time to reflect on what Christmas is truly about!  Afterwards we took Joe to see the two best decorated houses with lights.  Then we came home and opened one gift which is new pajama's for the kids.  We quickly got them in bed (late) and started the process of putting together "santa" gifts.  Dana put together the girls' dollhouse while I stuffed stockings and tried to clean up.  We got in bed just before 1 a.m. and I had such a hard time sleeping all night.  I think I was more excited than the kids!  Dana and I also celebrated Christmas with each other that night by ourselves.  We had a $40 limit
• Christmas morning was at our house and was so much fun.  The kids slept in since they went to bed so late so we didn't start opening gifts until almost 8:00.  They dug into their stockings first, which they loved, and then headed downstairs to see their "Santa" gifts.  Dawson got an electric guitar and the girls got an awesome dollhouse that has four sides to it.  They played for just a minute and then wanted to go open gifts.  They took turns opening and loved all of their gifts.  They are all at such a fun age and I thoroughly enjoy giving them things they really want. 
• After getting ready, we headed to my parents for more gifts and an excellent meal.  It's always fun watching all of the cousins open their gifts (there's so many of them!).  It was cute to see the kids' noticing their wrapped gifts looked like some of the other cousin's gifts.  They were telling each other what they were before they opened them.  It was funny!  We then had our annual Turkey dinner which was fabulous.  Then the adults got their turn to open gifts.  We got spoiled as we always do but we especially loved our new video camera.  So excited for something we needed so badly!!  We spent the rest of the day playing with toys, eating dessert and just being together.
• The day after Christmas is when we celebrate with my in-law's.  We headed out and the kids played for awhile before we opened stockings.  We all got spoiled with gifts and then we had a prime rib dinner which was delicious.  After dinner we played the annual game Kathie plans.  This year we had to sing (karaoke style) to earn our gifts!  It was actually a lot of fun and the kids loved it.  We all got a DVD and the kids got DS games.  Then as a family gift we got Wii sports resort.  It was a lot of fun and the kids played all day long.  Man, we were exhausted by the end of the day!!
• We had a couple days of recuperating before Keith & Chrisanna & kids got here.  Then we played some more!  We had a snowmobiling/sledding day, went to see Alvin & the Chipmunks with all 25 of us with movie money our parents gave us, rented out Skateland for a birthday/skating party and had a New Year's Eve party at Dusty & Sara's.  We had a blast and got completely wore out!

All in all, we had a wonderful holiday season even though it went by so fast.  By the time it's over, I was ready for it to be over.  You can only play so long before you have to get back to work.  :)  It ended with my heart being full.  Full of happiness and gratefulness for my husband, kids and our families.  We have been so blessed with so many wonderful people in our lives.  Thank you, Jesus!

Comments

[Hannah]

Wow you guys had a fun December! I love the fact that your whole family went roller skating. Especially Dana!!

[Kelly]

You guys were busy, busy, busy! It sounds like a wonderful Christmas though and it's been fun to see the pictures from all of you and hear all your stories. What great Christmas memories!

[chrisanna]

Wow, that made me tired just reading about it! What a busy and FUN month. I am sad it's over. Christmas always goes by way too fast. It is such a special time of year. I am so happy we were able to come, if only for a few days. We had a blast! I think I am still recouperating from all our travels. We are so blessed with all the wonderful people God has placed in our lives! And I am praising God that your CT scan came back with good results!! I love you sis.

[cathy floyd]

....I'll be back......gonna go take a nap!!! LoL!! Now I know why I need one!! But seriously, one of the most blessed of holiday seasons for me!! I'm humbled to the point of tears each time I reflect on the goodness of God!! He is the reason we celebrate but we're the ones who receive all the gifts!! Thank you so much sweetie for all your help!! I COULD NOT get all my stuff done without my awesome girls!! Sooo very thankful for your health right now babe!! Love you!!