Christmas Morning

I love Christmas morning. Everyone is so excited to see what presents we got. Our funniest story this year is Joey (2 years old) got a Wii. Kinamo Jr. and Haley found the Wii I bought the family. So I told them I was holding it for a friend. They were pretty disappointed. On Christmas morning we take turns watching everyone open one present at a time. When it was Joey's turn he ripped off the paper and all the kids got excited and asked "Why does Joey get a Wii"? It was really funny to see their reaction.

Here are a few pictures from our Christmas.

Christmas Traditions

We have a great time during The Christmas Season. Kinamo and I have spent every Christmas at home except 2 since we have been married. So we have established a few precious traditions.
1. Christmas eve we give everyone an ornament that represents something about them during the past year.
2. Paula and now her sweet husband and baby spend Christmas with us.
3. Christmas eve we make homemade Cinnamon Rolls and eggnog for Christmas morning breakfast.
4. Playing games every chance we get.
5. Kinamo passes out the gift to each of us on Christmas morning, just like his Grandfather did.
Christmas is the best time of year.

Melting Pot

For a few years Paula has be telling us we should go to the Melting Pot. So this year during the time her and Mat were here we took a night away from the kids and had a fabulous dinner there. It was so much fun just sitting, talking and eating. The food was wonderful. I really enjoyed our night out. When we got home we left them with the kids and took the babysitter home. Then Kinamo and I went to a 10:45 movie. It was so exciting to be out that late watching a movie. We saw Will Smith's movie "Seven Pounds". It was so good!!!! What a great way to spend an evening.

Family Picture Day.

Four years ago we took family pictures. It was a very painful experience. So we have been putting it off. So last weekend we finally went and had a dear friend who has a photography business take our pictures. It was busy and not the easiest job taking pictures of 7 people, but they turned out fantastic. There are so many amazing ones to choose from. These are just a few of my favorites.

First Class Scout

On Wednesday night Kinamo Jr. earned 7 merit badges and his First Class Scout rank. He is doing wonderful in Scouts and really enjoys it. He has a goal to get his Eagle by the age 14.

"Winter Festival"

I took the three girls to the Stone Oak Winter Festival yesterday where Haley's 4th and 5th grade choir sang. I want to take just a minute to vent about this experience. They sang about 20 minutes and about 8 songs. Not a single one was about "Christmas". We had reindeer songs and Santa songs. There was even a Hanukkah song, but not a single Christmas song. I know this is the way it is, but it is disappointing to me. After Her choir sang we walked around and found Santa to take pictures with him. While waiting in the 45 min line we got the privilege of listening to a group (on a small stage way out of the crowd) sing true "Christmas" Songs. When and where did it happen that we lost the Christ in this time of Celebration???

Ok now that is off my chest, we did enjoy watching Haley perform. She has really loved singing and is getting good at it. But she had absolutely no desire to sit on Santa's lap for a picture.