Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! Aaron got a "used" ipod from Blaine (after she received a new Iphone from Santa).

Blaine and her new phone....

Abby got the dolly from Santa that she had been wishing and waiting for ..and working so hard to be good for the elves that had been watching her...

Abby and Riley riding on Riley's new ATV.

Blaine opening her stocking items.

Abby opening all the goodies in her stocking.

Riley hugging up on Boppie after lunch at Kathryn's house

Riley riding on his Santa gift -- a battery powered ATV. After nearly running over the cat's tail, bumping into Blaine and Aaron's legs, and getting stuck on furniture and blankets, I think he is getting the hang of it.

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday with their family and friends. That Santa was good to them (and hopefully he didn't leave a mess at their house like he did at ours -- Santa always gets into trouble when making his stop at our house-- this year, he ended up not stopping in time on his runway in the yard and hit into a dead tree (thank goodness, it was the dead one); anyway, we lost some limbs from the tree as he was leaving and some of the lights were knocked down (Abby had given specific instructions the night before "watch out for that tree, Santa". He also got into the cabinets and helped himself to some salty chips to go with his sweet cookies and he left a little mess on the counters. Not nearly as bad as a few years back inside the house. He always leaves good gifts though so I guess he can keep coming back...

All that said, it was once again, another fun filled christmas day. We certainly enjoyed watching the kids with their toys and things but more than that, I have enjoyed hearing Abby as we are driving around saying "I told you Mom" (this is in reference to every house that has lights lite up at night). More than that, I enjoyed hearing her excitement every time a house had a display set up outside with a naviety scene. She would get really excited about the baby -- Baby Jesus is there. During one of the first weeks of Advent at church, they spoke to Riley and Abby in the nursery about the baby and it has certainly stuck with Abby. So, that is the real joy of Christmas.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas would soon be there.

The children were all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.

And mamma in her kerchief and I in my cap, had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window, I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid day to objects below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher, now Dancer!, now Prancer and Vixen!

On Comet! On Cupid" on on Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!

Now Dash away! Dash Away! Dash Away All!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

so up to the house top the coursers they flew,

With a sleigh full of toys and old St. Nick too!

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back

And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes - how they twinkled. His dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow

and the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings, the turned with a jerk.

And laying his finger aside his nose

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like a down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

We wish all a Merry Christmas tonight. May you blessed this day and all days forward. Enjoy each day and each blessing that you receive, for each is so very special.

Family Photos

This year for our family photos, we did something a little bit different. We got everyone dressed up, we loaded up the ranger with barstools and the camera, and we headed out into the field of cedar trees near the house. Using the timer on the camera, we had a great time taking our own pictures. It was fun and we did get a few really great ones to share.

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Santa 2010

It's Nearly Christmas

It's only five days now till Christmas. That is so hard to believe. The days have gone by so quickly this year and December really seems to have flown by. Here are a few of our photos from this month -- the girls both danced a few times at local nursing homes, and then we got ready to go see Santa this afternoon so all had their Santa hats on.

District 4H Food Challenge

On December 9th, the District 8 4-H Food Challenge was held in Belton. Blaine, Natalie, and Kaycee went to the competition and placed 3rd in their division. They were the 4H Cooking Divas (all three of these girls are not necessarily the diva type -- all are very athletic but they had fun playing the part for the competition).

Abby's Three year Well Checkup

Abby went to the doctor a few weeks ago for her 3 year well check. She was doing great according to the doctor. She weighed 30# and was 3 feet tall. She is still such a little petite princess. She went in smiling and grinning and talking to everyone.

In the picture below, she is checking out her smile and teeth because Dr. Brewer and I were just talking about her dentist appointment that was coming in a few weeks.
So, Ms. Abby Gale, at 3 you are very busy little girl...
you go to tumble class once a week and ask just about everyday if it is Tumblebus day
you participate in the Teams for Tomorrow program at school and love to play basketball like your big sister
you take ballet and tap and want to dance every evening when we get home
you sleep very good each night, about 10-11 hours straight each night
you love to eat fruit and veggies, spaghetti, and chicken and french fries
you just recently started doing a great job with potty training
you love to play with your dolls and can't wait for Santa to bring you a new dolly
you love to stack the wood blocks as high you can before Riley knocks them over
you know your full name and love to ask people their names
you have started getting very picky about what you wear and won't wear
you can count items out to about five but you can count your numbers into the teens
you sing your ABCs completely everytime you wash your hands
you love to say the prayer at meal time and bedtime and do a wonderful job praying to God

We love you very much, sweet girl.