We Did See Santa

before he made his trip back north.

But,


getting


a picture


was difficult.


Hey, at least Eli participated.

And Mrs. Claus gave us cookies.


That weren't very good. Big letdown.


It was a lovely visit with Santa and lunch with daddy. I love this Christmas tradition and I hope they don't object to sitting on Santa's lap and eating mall food for about the next 16 years.

2008 Santa Visit

2007 Santa Visit

2006 Santa Visit

Laugh, Let's Laugh

The boys and I had some fun with Photo Booth. Well, most of us did. Walker would not get in the pictures. He stood to the side and laughed with us, but would not join in the photos. I suppose in the long run that is smart.

Christmas Pajamas

First - Walker, 11 months, 2006


Second - Eli, 9 months, 2007


Third - Colin, 6 months, 2009


We have gotten plenty of use out of this 'Baby's First Christmas" outfit. The outfit is a 9 months size that I had to search everywhere for Walker's first Christmas. It seemed like all I could find was 3 months sizes. I finally found it at Macy's mixed in with a bunch of non-Christmas stuff, whew. And for the record, it has been the tightest on Eli and the loosest on Walker. It fit Colin just perfectly.

I suppose it is time to tuck it away again (tears). Hopefully it will be a perfect fit for someone else when the time is right.

Christmas Morning

Santa came

and brought trains.

The big boys woke up first.






Then baby brother woke up to his first Christmas.


And he licked his toys.


And attempted to eat his toys.


And big brother helped (as he does often) with his stocking.


And he showed him his new toys.


It was the perfect morning of toys, pajamas, special breakfast treats, and slowly enjoying each other.

Merry Christmas

We are so grateful for the Good News and Great Joy of this day. We love you all and pray you have blessed day of drawing closer to Him.



1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
15When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised,(AH) he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Brunch with Santa

Our weekly story time was replace with brunch with Santa. The boys were fine with this. There was Santa and there were donuts and Grandma and Grandpa Hermie. All good things.


Walker wants a train table and Annie and Claribel (Thomas's passenger cars). Whew...Santa is in good shape. ;)
Notice someone missing? This year Eli is really fond of Santa, from about 10 feet away.





Donuts are fantastic.

Baby Brother Stateside

Pops and Grandma Jayne hosted a get together to celebrate Uncle Matthew and Aunt Elaine being home from Japan for Christmas.

Perfectly descriptive photo.



Matthew insisted on making weird faces.


Aunt Elaine caught up with Colin, who was a few days shy of his birthday the last time she saw him.




The Grandparents came.








The Aunt Came.




The cousin came.


The boys played.




And there were silly hats.

(I kinda really love the way my dad is looking over his glasses in this photo)



And many pictures were taken (obviously).


And it was fantastic.