I have to start by saying that I absolutely love my family! Yeah, yeah, I've said it a million times, but I just really do! And not just my kids and my husband, but my entire, huge, extended, wacky, fun, loud family ... parents, step-parents, parents-in-law, siblings (in-law, step, or whatever), cousins, uncles, grandparents, etc. etc. etc. I am so incredibly blessed to have so many fantastic, supportive, loving, forgiving, inspiring individuals in my life ... even those I see once every five years and even those who are cheering for me from the other side--I know who you are and I know when you are near.
Christmas, I guess, is always just a poignant reminder of this great gift of family!
So here it is, Christmas 2011. And for your welcoming crew ...
This motley group of hooligans ...
And these guys ...
Oh, yeah, and them too ...
Be forewarned that many, many pictures will now follow. And this is just Christmas Eve;).
Okay, so we spent this past Christmas at Mom & Dad Dueck's home with some great friends from church, a couple of fantastic missionaries;), my mom, grandma, & sister's family, and of course my husband's awesome fam!
As always, we had a great dinner and good conversation, but then we did something we don't normally do ... played lots of fun, silly games!
We had the best time doing a couple of group games (one involving sucking green and red m&ms with a straw) and then started an entire minute-to-win-it extravaganza.
Mae trying to get her Rudolph nose on without using her hands.
The kids plus elder attempting to do the same.
Cup stacking. Don't know what it is? Visit an elementary school near you.
You go, James.
Double team ... Gracie & Mae's turn.
Doin' good, girls!
Uh, oh, watch out for Jane Jane.
Porter's up. Kevin, of course, played a perfect game master!
So this one's called double trouble, but where'd the boys go?
Good concentration, Brooks.
Okay, and for the next game .... Humiliation (I mean, get the cookie in your mouth)
No hands allowed, G-ma Betty.
Not sure if Brooks is playing a guitar or playing a game, but whatever!
After all the fun games (a tradition we decided we had to start implementing yearly), we had an exciting white elephant exchange:).
And then ventured on upstairs for presents!
Barbie power.
This boy loves his camping gear!
Porter receiving the book.
Porter already reading the book.
Loooove my kiddos!
New PJs ... too matchy matchy??
Such a cute picture of Grandma and her girl.
We were excited to have Great Grandma with us this year as well. She looks pretty excited too;) ... oh wait, that's because she knows she's about to get a Kindle Fire.
And of course, the ever-incredible Auntie Heidi. What a babe!
Oh, and the actual babe .... finally in a picture!!
Looking back through these pictures (six months after the fact--so embarrassing;), I am just absolutely overwhelmed with gratitude for such a blessed life. And overwhelmed with appreciation for a little baby boy whose birth we were gathering to celebrate. His magical, prophetic birth so so long ago has changed the world in ways too numerous to mention. In fact, it has changed everything. There is not a thing in my life that hasn't been influenced, altered, or made better because of our majestic Savior.
I hope our joy and bounteous love on this special night expressed to Him that immense gratitude!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Christmas, I guess, is always just a poignant reminder of this great gift of family!
So here it is, Christmas 2011. And for your welcoming crew ...
This motley group of hooligans ...
And these guys ...
Oh, yeah, and them too ...
Be forewarned that many, many pictures will now follow. And this is just Christmas Eve;).
Okay, so we spent this past Christmas at Mom & Dad Dueck's home with some great friends from church, a couple of fantastic missionaries;), my mom, grandma, & sister's family, and of course my husband's awesome fam!
As always, we had a great dinner and good conversation, but then we did something we don't normally do ... played lots of fun, silly games!
We had the best time doing a couple of group games (one involving sucking green and red m&ms with a straw) and then started an entire minute-to-win-it extravaganza.
Mae trying to get her Rudolph nose on without using her hands.
The kids plus elder attempting to do the same.
Cup stacking. Don't know what it is? Visit an elementary school near you.
You go, James.
Double team ... Gracie & Mae's turn.
Doin' good, girls!
Uh, oh, watch out for Jane Jane.
Porter's up. Kevin, of course, played a perfect game master!
So this one's called double trouble, but where'd the boys go?
Good concentration, Brooks.
Okay, and for the next game .... Humiliation (I mean, get the cookie in your mouth)
No hands allowed, G-ma Betty.
Not sure if Brooks is playing a guitar or playing a game, but whatever!
After all the fun games (a tradition we decided we had to start implementing yearly), we had an exciting white elephant exchange:).
And then ventured on upstairs for presents!
Barbie power.
This boy loves his camping gear!
Porter receiving the book.
Porter already reading the book.
Loooove my kiddos!
New PJs ... too matchy matchy??
Such a cute picture of Grandma and her girl.
We were excited to have Great Grandma with us this year as well. She looks pretty excited too;) ... oh wait, that's because she knows she's about to get a Kindle Fire.
And of course, the ever-incredible Auntie Heidi. What a babe!
Oh, and the actual babe .... finally in a picture!!
Looking back through these pictures (six months after the fact--so embarrassing;), I am just absolutely overwhelmed with gratitude for such a blessed life. And overwhelmed with appreciation for a little baby boy whose birth we were gathering to celebrate. His magical, prophetic birth so so long ago has changed the world in ways too numerous to mention. In fact, it has changed everything. There is not a thing in my life that hasn't been influenced, altered, or made better because of our majestic Savior.
I hope our joy and bounteous love on this special night expressed to Him that immense gratitude!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Comments
Post a Comment