Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Two Littlest Ones

I was just thinking about how much "the two littlest" enrich our family.  What would our family be like without them?

Without Lydia's sweet smile and cute sayings?  Without her constant energy and giggles?


Without Judah's beaming smile and his pitiful little lip when he's about to cry?  Without his chubby baby self and without his precious cries?

What would our family be like without them?

Just think, if Mama and Daddy had decided to "stop" at 7 kids, Lydia and Judah wouldn't be here.  And they would have been stopping two beautiful blessings from coming into the world and enriching our lives.

"But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 19:14

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Christmas with Grandpa and Grandma (Part 1)

"'Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."'
Matthew 1:23

This year we went up to Grandpa and Grandma's house 2 days after Christmas.  We packed Sunday afternoon and drove up to Grandma's house Monday morning! :)

Grandpa and Grandma's Christmas tree and all the presents! :)


When we arrived, Uncle Greg and Stephen were playing a Wii hunting game they got for Christmas and soon some of our family had joined in!


Grandpa watching excitedly. :)


Grandpa blessing the Christmas feast Grandma had prepared!


Some of the yummy food that was prepared!

We had chicken in wine sauce, mashed potatoes, beef brisket, crescent rolls and more for our Christmas "dinner" with Gpa, Gma and Uncle Greg and his family! :)

Every year my Aunt Amy (and my cousins!) make lots of cookies!  We normally decorate some sugar cookies but we never got to it this year.

After our dinner we cleaned up, we played the Wii game again, worked on our annual Christmas puzzle and just enjoyed being together as a family.

Around 3:00 it was time to open presents, but before we did, Grandma made us a ginger-ale/peppermint ice cream punch!

It was very yummy...in case you were wondering! :)


Grandma's living room before the present opening began!

Lotion and body wash for Eden!

Gloves for Caleb.

Lydia opening a present.

Jammie pants for 'Siah.


Lydia trying on Grandma's bling.


Earmuffs for Eden!


Cute jammies for Lydia!

Lexi was really excited about this gift! :)


Grandpa opening a present! :)


Amanda (my cousin) examining one of her gifts.

Stephen (my cousin).

Josiah got a little truck!


These two photos make me smile! :)
(Diana - my cousin - above and Grandpa below!)
Grandpa gnawin' on a jelly! :)


Examining 'Manda's make-up kit.

Hannah and Lexi - pretty girls! :)

Some body wash and lotion for me too! :)


Aunt Amy opening her gift basket.

Hannah with some new hair scrunchies! :)


Uncle Greg (Daddy's brother).

Grandma opening her presents!


'Manda.

On the steps with our stockings!  It took some moving around to get all of us in the picture!  (Thanks Grandma, for the the photo!)


After presents and stockings were opened we played with our new stuff, worked on the puzzle some more (we finished a 500 piece puzzle in one day!), and relaxed.

Later that night, after some yummy leftovers and chili we watched Mulan before bed. 
The next morning would bring a surprise which I will tell you about in the next post! :)
Kimber :)


P.S. - You may have noticed our interesting blog changes!  I figured out how to make the blog one column (instead of two) like I've wanted for a while!  One day I'd like to get a "Favorite Recipes" page and "Helpful Links" page up sometime this year! ;)