Christmas ‘22

Christmas Eve - part two - was quite lovely.  We tried to grab a quick family photo at church out by their tree but no one under 10 would smile or look at the camera, so this is what we got.  But, the service was awesome.  There was great praise music and a really neat skit by one of our very good friends and Nick's classmate, Eliza.  Their family has 3 girls and their parents are in our Sunday school class.  Lukas went through preschool and all of elementary/middle school with Eliza's older sister.  So we're pretty close.  At any rate, the candids from the sanctuary, are our crew watching her and Pastor Charlie (the Grinch) during this skit.  It was great.  After church, we went to Mangia Mangia for dinner (which might be the start of a new tradition), it was easy and delicious and the boys were so well behaved (and tired).  Then we headed home to let the magic happen.  

Christmas morning began around 0600.  We started it off with a quick devotional, about Jesus being the great gift, and then dug into the wonderful family gifts.  Everyone was appreciative and thrilled with what they got.  Lukas and Nick got rollerblades, Nick got a guitar.  Jacob got a big backhoe, Jayden Orbeez and slime.  Everyone got hockey sticks, books, coloring materials and legos. 

Above they're reading a note from the mantel which lead them to their last gift:

Four little monkeys jumping on the bed 

One did a backflip off and bumped his head 

Momma callled the doctor and the doctor said 

No more monkeys jumping on the bed 

So three little monkeys jumping on the bed 

One did a front flip off and bumped his head 

Dadda called a doctor and the doctor said 

No more monkeys jumping on the bed 

So two little monkeys jumping on the bed 

One cartwheeled off and bumped his head 

Momma talked to Lukas and Lukas said 

You gotta get us boys a different kind of bed 

So one little Momma and Dadda built 

Those four little monkeys a jumpflex Trampoline

Aunt Jess came over for a few hours, enjoyed lunch with us and helped Mike finish putting the trampoline together!!  Many Thanks JESS!! 

We spent some great time outside too and discovered the creek was partially frozen thanks to the frigid temps we were all enjoying.  We ate beef brisket and spent lots of quality time together.  

All in all, this was a wonderful Christmas.  One where our hearts swelled with gratitude, thankful for family, fun gifts, and the simplicity of love and time together.