Christmas Night 2008

It was back in our pj's on Christmas night as we opened our presents to each other. It feels so good to get comfy at home and be together. Christmas has never been about the presents, it's about being together. Each year we pick a different color of curling ribbon for each child and until present opening time, they never know which presents are theirs. Tricky huh? Conrad sure made Christmas this year extra special and especially loved his basketball stand.

The girls had been spending a lot of 'sister time' together this past month and we both knew they were up to something. But what? We opened their gift and it was a quilted angel sampler and teddy bear pillow that surprised me immensely. So much so that I could not stop laughing... until I cried. It was the last thing I expected. They were so surprised. Their shocked, pretend-hurt looks made me rethink my laughing... maybe there was a possibility that they had created these treasures? (They ended up being thrift store decoys). The last present of the night, they covered our eyes and brought out their real gift... a memory quilt. It was the sweetest gift we have ever been given and was a complete labor of love as they embroidered their favorite memories of us. We will treasure it always and thank the Lord everyday that we are their parents :)

Michigan Trip Surprise

When it came time to pick out a present for Kelsie, Larry & I knew the only gift she really wanted was a ticket to go to Michigan to see Josh and see first hand what his life is like there... So after talking & planning with Josh and his Dad, we went ahead and got the ticket for February. A direct flight will hopefully insure that she gets there safely... it is after all her first time traveling alone. Larry & I think it's way weird that we are ok with her going across the country to see a young man. Six months ago we would never have thought this to be a possibility, but we believe it will be a good experience for her as she begins to spread her wings. We know they will take good care of her :)
-Brenda

Click here for photos

Christmas Day at Grandma & Grandpa's

Our Fox & Geese game at Grandpa & Grandma's quickly turned into an all out snowball fight with forts and taking hostages. It was a great snow day with the cousins. We couldn't ask for better snowy weather for the holidays!
-Brenda

Click here for photos

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning I woke up at 3am, then 5:30am to look at my stocking and sneek a piece of Sees candy. Still no sound from the girls. Hmmm... There is something way wrong when kids over sleep their parents on Christmas Day. At our place, we enjoy our stockings and a present from Santa in the morning. Larry makes a yummy breakfast and we relax. Then we visit family and get together later in the day, back in our Christmas pjs to open the rest of our presents. It may sound backwards, but it sure works out good and gives us something to look forward to all day.

This year, Santa brought the wii Rock Band and it didn't take long for us to realize how musically lame we are... but we'll get better eventually. Josh dropped by to exchange presents with Kelsie and Santa surprised him with a stocking too :) Fur lined crocs & socks for her, a little heart book & Chillaxin' t-shirt for him.
-Brenda

Grandma Birrell surprised Kelsie & Abby with her wonderful handmade afgans.

My sister Becky and her husband Scott from Tennessee made us each a special beeswax candle from their very own bee farm. Each is a different shade of yellow, depending on where the bees ate. We love them!