It's Christmas!

And finally - we have found Jesus in the manger.

The completed Advent calender. 

Even though we missed 3 of the "wise men" devotions, we did it. :) I'm trying to learn that even if I don't do everything "perfect" or "complete", that doesn't mean failure. :) You know what I mean moms.... so hard. :)

Amy opening her gift from Auntie Anne-Marie. 

Love this little princess book for her. :)

Laura's own matching book from Auntie Annie too. (don't know how that girl does it - she shops so well, and gives like no other!)

Erik's book from the amazing aunt - a "Cars" reward chart book. 

Katy with her Angelina Ballerina paper doll book from Anne-Marie. 

Presents from Grandma Fehr! (and they have been coloring away since Christmas!)

Hugs after James opened up his gift from Katy - some drawings she had made for him. (she did some for me and Erik too).

And then there is you, little miss. 

Excited about her dolly's bottles. 

Erik and his first pair of hockey skates! He was so excited. 

He wore them as much as he could on the carpet that day! (and he would have worn them all over the house had we told him that couches and floors aren't made for skates!)

And then there was this gift! What squeals did Katelyn give us!

The item I was most excited to have anyone open on Christmas. Katelyn has been wanting a doll for a while, so after hours of searching and deliberation, we got her an American Girl doll. I was so excited...it's what I always had wanted growing up. I had tried to buy used, but it was almost the same as a new one, and since she will probably only have one nice doll, James said she may as well enjoy it when she's young. I had such fun getting it ready - and bought a few outfits on Kijiji for her to open before she opened the doll. 

Opening her new doll - which she called Alyssa. 

Then the gift time was all over, and James went to pick up a friend - Mr. Thomson from our church, while I made the dinner. Talk about supermom over here.... I had a rotiserre chicken, stove top dressing, roasted veggies, jello salad and buns. Super easy and simple, and it all tasted good. :) Maybe one day I'll graduate to a turkey, but this year it was perfect. :) 

Mr. Thomson is an amazing man. He's 97 years old, walks quite well, and is so good with the kids. He was an engineer in WWll, and worked on blowing up train bridges in Africa among other duties. So neat to hear his history. 

Playing with Erik's new maze. 

The Christmas aftermath. 

A special day together, simple and together. 

Caroling Together

Every Christmas season, our church just gets together and sings carols at one of the homes. This year, Greg and Steph hosted us all, and we had two levels singing together. Fun, low key, and enjoyable - singing all together. 

Here's the lower level...

...and the rest of us on top. It worked well, and the younger kids had some extra fun that way. :) 

They finally got their wish and sang "Jingle Bells". :) 

Doreen and Irmi - in red. 

The Johnson boys providing the percussion to Nel's piano and Shane's guitar. 

Little Nessa with her stiches :) 

Singing "Go Tell it on the Mountain"....  

Love these two women. I want to be like them one day.

Shantel love.

Having some Christmas food - even though I don't like it much myself, it's still nice to have a bit of eggnog in the house - just feels "Christmasy". (and James and the kids like it). 

If you look closely, you can see Katy's "nog'' mustache. 

Our little Christmas snack before bed....with all of them getting excited for Christmas - only 3 more sleeps away. 

She's at Nine

Hey there...we're at nine months. 

Made it to these achievements:

-Two Teeth and one very stubborn one coming in

-We are clapping hands together - and yes, it's adorbs.

-Waving Bye bye, and it almost sounds like she's saying "bye", but that's probably just my biased mother's heart. :) James taught her how to wave, and that's pretty sweet. 

It's been more of a challenging month, baby temperament wise, as she has a hard time teething. Poor little thing.  That said, there is nothing like having a hurting baby's cries near your ear as you have her on your back... it does something for your sanctification process. I hope. 

Her smile brightens up my world.

Her cry - makes all the earth mourn. :) 

I do so love you my dear Amy. Think it's going to be a wild ride with you darling babe.