Christmas 2012

Christmas began a bit early for our family when Wes surprised us all on Saturday, December 22nd. He had told me that his dad needed help with moving something or hauling off something that morning and that we would all go with him and then start a new tradition of going to eat breakfast on the Saturday before Christmas. (He is good at making things up!) I started to wonder a little bit about why his dad would be hauling off something, but then decided it was Christmas time and you don't ask questions!

After we got there, he and his dad disappeared for a bit, then they walked back in the house and Wes said, "hey y'all come out here a minute I want you to see this", so everyone got their coats back on, it was a little obvious at this point that something was going on. We walked into his dad's garage and Wes looks at me and says "Merry Christmas" as I gaze upon a new hi-def television and a beautiful cabinet that it was sitting on. I was speechless and the boys were as well! He said it was his gift to the family, it was so pretty and I could not wait to get it home.  The cabinet has an electric fire place in the center of it, the wood is just beautiful, and it looks amazing in our living room.

 We have thoroughly enjoyed it so far and are so grateful to Wes for giving so generously to us all.

On Sunday, December 23rd, our Children's Choir sang and they did such a good job! We had practiced for several weeks and they sang out really well, I was very proud of them. We then had a party for them after they sang and it was a bit chaotic, but a lot of fun.

Christmas Eve was then upon us and the boys were about to burst from excitement. I still get pretty excited myself and wasn't able to sleep well the few nights before Christmas, I hope I can always keep that zeal over the magic of Christmas and celebrating our Saviour's birth.

We went to E & Epaw's that afternoon. We had a wonderful meal and it was then time for gifts.

 My Christmas Angels....

 This picture is funny because Trevor was frantically separating gifts and Bradley just sat 

patiently waiting on his.

 Soon to follow was wrapping paper everywhere and gifts galore. We had a wonderful time and headed home to unload and get ready for the big day ahead. Wes and I always do our Christmas to each other on Christmas eve night after the boys are in bed. It is a special time together that I look forward to. After that we get busy playing Santa.

 Runtley posed with the gifts this year. He was ready to go to bed and did not like that we were up so late!
Christmas morning began at 6:00 AM. Trevor was up before the chickens but we had to wake Bradley up.

 I have heard and read several places about these white spots in pictures. A lot of people call them orbs and say it is spirits of angels around. I don't know if I believe that or not, it is not spots on the lens because it would be in all of the pictures. But it is a pretty comforting thought that they were all around our living room on Christmas morning.

 Bradley got the much desired "castle" that he had been asking for every day.

 Trevor got an air rifle! He can't wait to go hunting with daddy and be able to shoot at something himself!

 Trevor had a couple of big items this year, a TV for his room was his other big gift and he was pretty excited about it!

 Bradley's big item was a bouncy house. He wasn't quite sure what it was in the box, but after it was set up, he was very excited!!

 This picture is so funny. Sometimes when Trevor would jump, Bradley would just go flying and he would laugh and laugh.

After all the presents were opened, we read the real Christmas Story from Luke 2 and prayed and thanked the Lord for the BEST GIFT of all, His precious Son in whom we have eternal life. We had breakfast and did some cleaning up. The Nonny and PawPaw and Jenna and Drew came. There was many more gifts opened, lots of good food ate, and a great Christmas together. 

The day after Christmas there was much organization awaiting me and playing and playing and more playing for the boys. Trevor took several chances to play his new Wii games in his room on his new TV.

 They bounced and bounced....

 Our poor tree stopped taking water a few days before Christmas. It was drying out fast and on Christmas day we noticed if you even barely bumped it, needles would fall everywhere. Well it got worse and worse, and I had to take it down the day after Christmas. Here is what was left of the poor thing after getting all of the ornaments off and getting it out of the door.

  The boys and I are enjoying the rest of our time off and anticipating the weekend so that daddy has 4 days off with us as well. The day after Christmas we got some sleet and snow. If it had only been a day sooner, it sure would have added to the Christmas spirit. Now I'm off to find more places to put stuff.