The Four Christmases

We had a great Christmas. It's so fun when kids are involved. I was nervous however, about this time of year because I don't want the true meaning to be lost. The reason why we celebrate, and that's Jesus' birth. I want my kids to know this. To truly get it. What a joy it was to go to KidZone (Wednesday nights at our church) the first Wednesday of December and the message was generosity-making someone's day by giving something away. The kids were given Christmas wrap at the end of the production to make a Christmas list. However, there was a twist. It was not for them to make a list of the things they wanted; rather a list of what they were going to give/do for someone else. We did this a couple of nights later. Joshua was slow to start, but once he got started, he had a hard time stopping. A couple of things on his list were feeding Gigi's dog for her and getting a Bible for a little girl at church. Tabitha also agreed to let Joshua play with the Grinch (her latest toy she carries with her) and Curious George.

Tabitha got a chance the next morning to check Joshua off her Christmas list. He had Curious George, and she was so upset. She was fussing quite loudly when I reminded her of "generosity" and her Christmas list. Yes, she's young (18 months) but after repeating those phrases a couple of times, she got it. She handed George back to Joshua without any tears. I was so proud of her.

Back to our Christmases. On December 20 we went to my grandmother's house. Here's Tabby and Mommy. She was so sleepy by then.

There were plenty of cousins to play with. Here's Big Brother's sister, Tess, and Tabby.

Joshua and Tabby had fun opening presents.

On December 22, we went to the Bradley house (Keith, Chelsea, and Dustin). Homemade salsa and chips were on the table. Check out Tabitha.

Tabby and Aunt Chelsea.

Joshua, Gigi, and Mommy.

On December 23 we celebrated as a family since we would be having family in town and a Christmas Eve service. We woke up and opened presents.

Tabby got a Dora chair that she sat in all day. She also got a Sesame Street toothbrush in her stocking. She was so excited to brush her teeth.

Joshua ignored the bike waiting for him and went straight for the stocking. I knew he would really like those little gifts more than the bike even though it was my idea. The kids really are easy to please right now.

After presents, we tried taking a nap (mom and dad). Both Tabitha and Joshua had a rough night sleep the previous night. No one was sick, just sleep deprivation from all the partying. For lunch we had baked ham, green beans, and mashed potatoes. Yummy!

In the evening, the Villas from Mesquite arrived. More cousins to play with!

The moms took the kids to the park.

Christmas Eve we opened gifts with the family. Tabby and her cousins.

Daddy and Tabby.

Buela and grandkids.

Thus Christmas was over for us. A lot went on in a few days, so we (parents only) were glad to say good-bye to Christmas 2008. Now to ring in the new year!