The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!

Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year!  Despite the trial that my sister is going through right now, we have had some truly memorable Christmas experiences already and can't wait for the many more to come since Christmas officially isn't even here yet!  I'll share a little of what we've been up to...

I took a break from the hospital on Friday to make our annual trip to visit Santa at Utica Square with our playgroup buddies.

Then came Saturday.  Last year during this same week we had a BIG surprise for the girls - they got an early Christmas present.  Do you remember what it was???  Puppies!  They each got a puppy of their very own.  Click here to see that Christmas surprise.

Well, they got a HUGE Christmas surprise this year - another early Christmas gift.  We took the girls to see the lights at Rhema - which is absolutely beautiful as always.  It was unbearably cold and the wind was piercing, but we followed through with the plan.  We saw all the beautiful sights...

and after we saw all the lights we came to this hallway of lights to give them their surprise.  

Watch the video to learn what their Christmas surprise this year was...

That's right!  Summers Baby #3 is on it's way!!!  If you couldn't hear the whole poem very well this is what she read...

In 1995, it was cold December;

Our very first date we'll always remember.

We knew not long after that very first date

We had found in each other a life-long mate.

A little time passed - about three-and-a-half years,

Then we said "I DO" through joyful tears.

Our love grew stronger day by day,

And before we knew it we had a baby on the way.

Nine months passed ever-so-quickly,

Then our family of two became a family of three.

Our daughter's laughter soon filled the air;

We were blessed indeed - a happy pair.

But soon our hearts began to long for more,

Then God made us a family of four!

Now twice the laughter fills the air,

And we are always busy running here and there.

Our family of four once felt complete,

But the yearning for more began to repeat.

Now we are as excited as we can possibly be

Because coming soon is Summers Baby #3!!!

My camera battery died right after she finished reading the poem so I didn't get to record their reaction, but it was hysterical!  They squealed and jumped endlessly.  They are both so excited.  I know they will be great helpers when the new little one gets here (approx date of arrival is Aug 14, 2011!).

Then Sunday morning we finished the weekend wonderfully with their Christmas program at church.  Lily had a little one line speaking part and then her class sang a song...

Then Zora's class performed several songs...

The Birthday of a King

Angels We Have Heard On High

Away in a Manger

(Zora had a solo and did a fantastic job!!!)

Feliz Navidad

I'm sure there will be many more Christmas festivities to post about, so watch for more coming soon!