Remembering Christmas 2009

The decorations are down and put away in the attic and my living room is not nearly as homey and cozy as it was with them up. I always hate when Christmas has to come down. I love the colors and the smells and the lights! Right now I am looking back over the last week and I have to say that this Christmas has been one of my all time favorites. Both of the kids really got into it this year and it was so much fun to watch them enjoy. We were blessed with family around us as Ryan and Emily flew in from California and Papa and Cathy were here for Christmas morning. That night, Cathy's kids and their families joined us at our house for dinner and we all had a great time.

Here is a look at our Christmas this year... in pictures!!


Christmas Eve started out well with Aunt Emily and Ethan making a Christmas Tree to hang the nativity ornaments that Adalyn got at school on. They had a great time and it turned out wonderful. We are keeping this tree to put up each year as it turned out so well! After that we went to the Christmas Eve service at Long Hollow Baptist and enjoyed the praise and worship there. We also carried on the Joki tradition of heading to Opryland to see the decorations. We even ran into Santa there!!
Once we returned home we made our reindeer food and then scattered it on the lawn so that the reindeer had something to eat while Santa left presents under our tree! We also opened our Christmas Eve presents- this year both kids got 2 presents to open- their Christmas pj's and a book about the birth of Jesus. Daddy sat down with the kids to read to them about the birth of our Saviour and to share with them the real reason we celebrate at this time of year. Then it was off to bed with the little ones!!

Christmas morning arrived and the kids were so excited to see what was left under the tree. Papa and Cathy arrived bright and early with breakfast from McD's and we all ate before we tore into our gifts! Ethan received his Nerf Gun from Santa that he forgot to mention when he saw him and Adalyn recieved a baby Elmo complete with paci and blankie from the big red guy. Ethan also got cowboy boots from Grandmas Sandy that he had to put on right away! As soon as he took them off, Adalyn was quick to grab them and take a spin around the living room with them on!!

Christmas was wonderful this year and we are so blessed to have each other and our families around us.

Happy New Year and welcome 2010- we hope this year is as good as the last!!