Learning 4 Life: Christmas Time Is Here :-)

Our Christmas festivities have been in full swing around here. Last week the girls made ornaments for all the grandparents. This is an annual tradition. Each year we do a different kind of ornament. One year we did salt clay ornaments, another year was shrinky-dinks, and this year we did painted wooden ornaments.

Painting ornaments

Then last weekend the girls got to open early Christmas presents from Nana Betty since she was in town to help take care of my sister. Since Papa Doug wasn't able to be here we Skyped with him so that he could see them open the presents, too. The girls were hoping for some books and/or movies. They got a BIG surprise!

I love to hear them squeal with excitement :-) Thanks Nana and Papa...they LOVE their Nintendo DS! And they love the Zhu Zhu Pet game!

She got them something else that is incredibly special to them. They get it out everyday just so they can hear her voice. They miss her so much since she moved to Arizona. Here's the other gift she got them...

Twas The Night Before Christmas Book

(read by Nana Betty)

We've also had some special times with friends. The Jones family came over for some fun. The girls really enjoyed playing together, making sugar cookies, decorating the sugar cookies...

...and eating the sugar cookies too!!!

And of course we had a little gift exchange. Little Levi wasn't quite sure what to do with his present since this is his first Christmas!

We also had a fun visit with the Voss family who came in from Arizona! The kiddos had a fabulous time playing together. We enjoyed our time together so much that poor little Noah crashed out asleep on the floor from exhaustion!

Christmas Eve was a special day with Joel's Grandmother and my Granny. They are the last grandparents we have remaining so the time with them was very special.

The family with Gigi (Joel's Grandmother)

Cousins on the Henry side

(Jake and Canaan)

(Lily, Camryn, Caylin and Zora)

Christmas Day proved to be just as wonderful and exciting. We started the day off with some cinnamon rolls then opened presents. I love the look on their faces when they open something!

Then we headed to Mamma and Papa's house for a fantastic lunch and more fun with the cousins.

Zora, Joel and London

Lily and Keno

Zora reads a Christmas book with Mamma

Later that evening we celebrated with my dad and sister. I'm so glad she was able to be home for Christmas, but we missed her kiddos. They were in Arkansas celebrating with other family members. But we did get to see Jake in his cute little Christmas pjs :-)

Jake proudly shows off his Jordans from Jamie

Our final celebration was actually after Christmas. We got together with my step-siblings for some more fun! We had a simple dinner - just sandwiches and fruit, but it is the only thing that has tasted good to me in a long time so WOOHOO for that! And my sister got to come with her kids and that was a tremendous blessing!

Of course, all the cousins had a good time laughing and playing together...

Zora and Skylar