Christmas 2010

Yes, Mama had a big hair day!

Christmas morning was exciting and the day is a sweet memory. Both kiddos entered the living room shyly and were quite overwhelmed by the gifts. They stopped just inside the living room and wouldn't let go of my legs...very weird and funny...made for an interesting video! After we ate breakfast and read from Luke 2, we started opening gifts. Elle was very weak, so Zane played Santa, handing out gifts. He was incredibly patient as everyone took their turn and even insisted once that it was Elle's turn. We were also encouraged and touched by their gratitude. Elle said more than a few times, 'All for me?' She also had a burst of energy after a few gifts in and finally felt up to eating some homemade monkey bread, Grandma Wolfe's tradition.



Elle's favorite gift was her Hello Kitty pajamas, because I too received Hello Kitty pjs! 'We're twins!', she reminded us all day long. Zane's favorite was the Busy Ball Popper. He squealed with such delight and laughed so hard that it's the best video I think we have of him to date. Second favorite for Elle was a $1 purple calculator - go figure?! ;) Of course there were many more wonderful gifts from grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles and cousins. We are grateful to everyone for their generosity, kindness and love.

Whoa!

Cars!

Love this CD!

Tinkerbell paradise!

Cool!

Really, this time of year makes me think about our parents at our age, more than any other time. How we long to make Christmas meaningful and memorable, just like they did. I more fully understand the time and sacrifices to find the perfect gifts that bring joy to our children. I know the efforts to plan the most delicious foods that will live on as tradition, creating pride and security. I feel the exhaustion from late night wrapping and cleaning, to set everything just right and in perfect order for their early rising...to capture the awe on their faces.


I grasp just a glimpse of God's heart when He revealed His excellent plan of redemption and adoption through His most precious gift of Jesus. 'By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us.' 1 Jn. 3:16 Nothing could reflect His heart more accurately, nothing could ever bring the receiver more joy.


The pain of an unappreciated gift. The disappointment of a toy that didn't live up to the expectations. How much more it must pain our Heavenly Father when He offers the most perfect gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, with hope for a future that is promised to bring joy beyond anything we could ever imagine, and it is unappreciated, put aside and rejected. Like our parents, our hope above all gifts, decorations, and food, is that baby Jesus would come to be Elle and Zane's Savior and Lord.

I have been meditating on His gift that I've received, and how I reflect it...the very heart of my Father God. I know there are moments, hours, and days that I would appear unappreciative and unaffected by the best gift EVER! ...striving to reflect deeper admiration through obedience to His calling for our family.

Merry Christmas!

The Nights Before Christmas

With Eric home the week before Christmas, we especially enjoyed anticipating Jesus’ birthday. We made yummies, visited neighbors bearing cookies, worked on house projects, played Go Fish, Uno, Candyland and The Ladybug Game, and introduced Elle and Zane to Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Actually, to Eric's astonishment, it was my first time seeing The Grinch. (Gasp!) And to my amazement, Eric's first time watching White Christmas! How did we go fifteen years without these viewings?! I know I've watched White Christmas a few times in our marriage...guess he was in the other room??

There are some highlights this season that we don't want to forget. Both Elle and Zane were very eager to participate in our evening Advent devotions, which used a book containing pop-out pieces that slowly built a Nativity. Each took a turn adding a piece to the Nativity and then Zane tore it down and Elle put it back up, and on and on it went for days.






























Zane, always waiting for a taste. Elle is very careful with her icing and Zane is wearing a hospital gown - perfect crafting/cooking attire!



Unfortunately, Elle had a fever that started Christmas Eve and lasted for five days. We missed Christmas Eve dinner with family, the Christmas Eve service, and several outings. On a positive note, it slowed life down, helped us tune in to each other and Jesus, The Messiah. We especially enjoyed late night, lights out, music playing, couch cuddles...took me back to when I was a girl. I get weepy just thinking about the peace and comfort from these quiet moments.


Just love looking at her face! :)








Elle's idea to dress up as Mary and Joseph.

S D C

We recently returned from a three day trip and finished our first season as pass holders at S*lver Dollar C*ty. What a blast we've had at Branson this year!

Too cold for camping, so a hotel with pool and hot tub this time around. Every morning, after a big breakfast, Elle splashed in the cool waters with Dada while Zane and I soaked in the bubbles. Zane knows exactly what he likes. Ten seconds in the pool and he was signing 'all done' and pointing to the hot tub. The next day I asked him if he wanted to go in the big pool and he said, 'Nooooooooo', and signed 'hot'. Works out great for me -- my preference as well! He is a boy after my own heart! Elle on the other hand had to be dragged from the fun pool to the boring tub. :) She loves having fun with Dada - very sweet.

The City was so beautiful! Lights covering every square inch - awing! The Christmas tree was magnificent.

Nativities throughout. CHRISTmas music heard everywhere. The story of Jesus' birth proclaimed.


Parades, light shows and all the regular fun too.

Elle, with her hands up in the air, in the very last car with Dada.

When we first saw the middle square, with the impressive Christmas tree that was light-timed to music each evening, I got choked up. When I turned to see Elle's face, her eyes were full of water. That was a great moment. Later, I was moved by the telling of the Christmas story by the old man on the train ride - he was so sincere and there was a sense that he was honored to share God's Truth. And again, while the Christmas tree lights danced to music, I was overwhelmed by The One we celebrate this season.


Every day since Elle rode SDC's F*re *n The Hole in September, she has asked about riding it again. Not a day has passed in three months that she hasn't mentioned it being her favorite ride. As expected, this was definitely the highlight once again for her.


Zane really enjoyed The City's ambiance and didn't cry on the Frogger this time. But his favorite moment was while we sat in front row seats at the 20 minute Living Nativity performance. We were just feet away from the side stage where Mary, Joseph and a POOPING donkey appeared. Zane thought the pooping was AWESOME!! He kept signing 'potty' and laughed out loud.


Actually, we all laughed because we were so close to the actors we could see them stifling laughs and gagging for air while they knelt down in poop to worship baby Jesus. We have an Advent book that we read every night. Since our return from The City, we can't get past the page with the donkey without Zane mentioning donkey poop.

We also worshiped on Sunday morning at The City. Elle even went up front and sang in the choir. She was a pro, as the night before she went up on stage during the "Frosty" play. Here she is, in the middle wearing the purple hat...


Speaking of frosty, it was cold, but we planned our wear well and stayed plenty warm. The fresh, hot cinnamon bread also helped and became a daily must-have -- I feel a tradition coming on!

We had a lot of fun being together and taking in the celebration of Jesus, our Lord and Savior!