Susanna, Sam and Evelyn Christmas 2018

Cousins make everything more fun. And what could be more fun than a giant cardboard box?!

Oh Christmas Tree

We talked Daddy into getting the tree out Tuesday night. I'm not sure if it's because you guys have never had a "real" tree, but it doesn't seem to bother you a bit that your tree comes from the attic. It certainly does not bother me that this is the tenth Christmas season this tree has graced our home. I love a good investment. Hah!

When you were little, every tractor, cow, ball, puppy, playground, etc. would elicit squeals of delight from you. These days it takes a little more to get those kinds of reaction. So, your excitement as we pulled out decorations made my heart full. 

I love how many of our decorations are homemade. Or, should I say, school made. 'Cause whatever other things your mama does well, crafting is not one of them. Your ornaments make me happy, nonetheless, especially the ones with your sweet faces on them.

 Luke, I know you don't find this amusing, but it never, ever fails to get a giggle out of me. I mean, which one of your teachers decided to use the picture of you with your finger in your nose? Now that's funny! I don't care who you are.

Christmas 2013

Our Christmas present opening, in it's entirety. Long, but so much fun.

 BB's??? Yes!

Eli opening it...

Luke and Eli jumping up and down...

Luke dancing...

And the whole thing live.

Judah's turn.

Wrapping paper flying...

Luke's jersey. I'm bending over in this picture to find Eli's so I can slow the mad scramble on Eli's part to rip through every present left until he found his. 

My favorite quote of the day is when Eli found his FSU jersey, "I'm on fire!!!!" So sad I missed getting that on video.

I have to tell the story about the jersey. Kris found Luke's jersey about a month ago, but it was the only one they had at Target. We never could find one for Eli, but we thought it would be okay. The week before Christmas Eli was wearing his friend's jersey that he left at our house. When I told him he couldn't wear it to school, with tears in his eyes, he said, "Well, will you at least get me a jersey for Christmas?" 

Oh Poo.

I texted Kris in a hurry that we needed to find this kid a jersey, any jersey for Christmas or it would ruin his day. Kris, in his daddy wisdom said that it must be an FSU jersey. I started my mad search that morning, only to be told by every store I could think of that they were out. Except for Sports Authority. I could get one there for $55. Um, no thanks. I called Kris to tell him this, and as I was talking, the thought floated through my mind, "You didn't call the Port Orange Target." I called every other Target around, but I didn't call the Port Orange one because we never go there. In my mind, it's hours away. But I am learning that the Holy Spirit loves to save me from drama, so I mentioned that I could still call the Port Orange Target. Kris said, "Oh yea, that's only a few minutes from my office. I could run over there during lunch if they have one." My sense of direction is lacking, to say the least.

I called, and the fella helping me said, "Well, I only have one FSU jersey left. It's a size 6/7." Eli's size. He held it at the front desk and Kris went to snag it during his lunch break. It was exactly like the one he had bought for Luke. Except it was Eli's size.

God, you love us so well.

I got to tell Eli this story Christmas morning, and his response was, "Well, it's a good thing you listened to the Holy Spirit!"

Yes, it is. It always is.

Judah's favorite.

It seems as though most of our gifts are either on wheels or weapons. I'm sure we should stop and question the wisdom of these purchases, but if we did we would think, "We have three boys. What the heck else are we supposed to get them?!"

Christmas at....Well, Christmas

We had our second Christmas on Christmas Day at home.  I made the boys wait until I got a shower, which seems like cruelty, but is actually a kindness.  They made good use of their time waiting.

This is just about the only time this poor kitty gets any loving. Usually Judah is awake and she runs and hides.

Once Judah was awake and I was fully awake and clean, they dug in.

There aren't a whole lot of things in life better than opening Christmas gifts in your undies.

I had videos last year too, and I never got them posted.  As much as I do not love being in the video, the videos are my favorite way to capture the moment.

Christmas at Thanksgiving

This year my family had Christmas at Thanksgiving, as that was when everyone could be there together.  I have decided that I rather like it and hope it becomes a tradition.  It's nice

 for the boys to get one set of gifts at a time rather than a mad whirlwind all in span of three days like we have normally done, between Kris' family, my family and then our little family.

"What is it?!"

"Is this MY DS?"

Still a whirlwind, but only one.

Uncle Mark

David

Sam. Cuteness!

The only two girls in a sea of boys, Rae and Annalee.  They hold their own pretty well.