Merry Christmas!

We pray that you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and were able to reflect on God's goodness and mercy on us today. As you opened presents, we pray that you remembered God' s most precious gift to us: His Son Jesus Christ.

We were able to celebrate from home this year again - which was such a treat-we cherish every bit of time we get to spend as a family (which hasn't been much lately). Justin and I set everything up last night so that Addie would walk into a Christmas wonderland this morning. We videotaped those first few seconds to share with you:

While Addie played with her kitchen, Justin and I opened our presents for each other - he did great again this year! I have the most thoughtful husband who remembers every little thing I comment on. :) After 30 minutes or so, we pulled Addie away from her kitchen and let her open her other presents. She really got into opening gifts this year and wanted to open EVERYTHING...even gifts that weren't her's.

She loved her stocking! She got some big bows, a puppy coloring book, some dvds, and an apron!

She has recently started liking puzzles, so I thought this one was perfect since she is learning shapes in school.


She really got the hang of opening presents! She is going to do GREAT when we see our families in the coming days!

She has played with her kitchen ALL day long! I am so glad that she is enjoying it....maybe she is a little like her mommy after all! :)

Happy Birthday Aunt Allison (aka: Tata)!

We were so excited to have Aunt Allison (Tata) and Uncle Jeffrey (J.J.) come visit us this weekend so we could celebrate her birthday with her! Jeffrey decided to surprise Allison by bringing her up here this weekend as a special treat! They came up on Friday night, and we had a nice dinner and rode around looking at Christmas lights. Addie just kept saying, "Petty (pretty)! Oooo! Look! Petty!"

Today we went to Bass Pro Shop so the guys could look at some guns they've been wanting. (It's always so interesting when Jeffrey and Justin get together; they are like the brother they never had!) While they were admiring the firearms, Allison and I took Addie to Santa Land where we got to see the choo-choo train, Santa, reindeer, and much more. Here are a few pictures from our day:

Addie just loves looking at the fish when we go to Bass Pro Shop! She has the cutest fish face, but she did it so quickly, I couldn't get the picture taken in time.

Christmas Party

Today Addie's class had a Christmas party. It was so fun being in her class and seeing her interact with her peers. I've always wanted to be a "fly on the wall" to see how she spends her time at school, and I got a glimpse of that today. I am glad to say that she is the same, sweet, little girl that we have at home! Enjoy the snapshots from our fun, festive day!

Addie and her little friends enjoying their snack; don't they just look like big girls sitting there?

Mrs. Susan and Addie enjoying a moment together.

The Jack-in-the-box; an old toy with timeless enjoyment!

We got MANY treats today! Justin will certainly be happy! :) She also got her very first Barbie from one of her little friends!

Addie gave her friend Anna some love before saying goodbye.

Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Today was our first weekend home in several weeks, and we took the opportunity to decorate the house for Christmas. Since we've been married, Justin and I always make a big "to do" over this event. We have the Christmas music blaring and the cookies ready for the oven.
In all honesty, I was really dreading this year because I was afraid of all that Addie would get into, but after a few "reminders" about what was okay to touch and what was not, she became the best little helper!

Addie and Daddy dancing to the big band Christmas album.
Our Christmas helper bringing me more branches for the tree.

She laid the branches on the tree to do her part!


She even "helped" me fluff the tree branches.


Daddy showed her how to put the lights on the tree.

As always, Addie got to put the star on the top.