Not pictured in 2009

I thought about doing an end of the year slide show, but then I thought maybe I'd just post some of my favorite pictures from the year, and then as I was looking through them, I decided to just share some of the pictures that never made it the blog.

So, here's a picture from each month that never made the cut, until now.

January

My oh so sweet husband, throwing a snowball at me.

February

This is just one of many photos Ashlynn took with my camera this year. I always know it's her, she usually get's a body part in them.

March
Love at first sight.

April
Our future Tball player up to bat.

May
My favorite 'thing' to look out the back door and see, Jakers!

June
My girls outside playing in their jammies.

July
A picture of Amy & Keith, we're so glad we got to see them 3 times this year.

August
Us being dorks at the zoo. Not sure who's idea this was?

September
Ash's picture of Abigail and I.

October

Spiderman and go--go dancer, so cute!

November

My sister and Mick on Thanksgiving.

December
My last picture of the year.
Look at Abigail's rosy checks after an evening of playing outside in the snow.

I am looking forward to the New Year and the many photos that will be taken to capture our memories in 2010.

Two Christmases

Memorable Moments

Abigail asking all day, on Christmas Eve, how many more hours until she could go to bed
Abigail walking downstairs after we'd put her to bed on Christmas Eve
Waking up to Jason saying Merry Christmas and two very excited girls
Ashlynn asking all day if it was still Christmas
Getting the sweetest gift from Abigail, a card of the things she loves about me
Jake chewing up every gift he got and having to throw them away
Jason bringing in Jake's crate, putting the new cover on it, and then Jake going inside to take a nap
Clay opening up his gift and realizing it was empty boxes (grandma had already given them to him)
All the cute new shoes everyone got. Every time I turned around Michayla was wearing a different pair.
Dad's excitement over his new helicopter
Mick and Andrea laughing over their new footstools
Playing UNO flash forever
Listening to mom read to Ashlynn
Listening to Abigail 'sing' with her MP3 player (it was just mumbled words)
Remote control car races going on down the hall
Not needing to eat again after 3, we'd eaten constantly from 7-3
My mom telling me that both Clay and Sis read their new devotional that night before bed

Christmas Eve

What a beautiful day, I'm sitting down, watching (wink, wink) a Christmas movie with the girls. They are all cozy, wrapped up in their new blankets from Kelle, and surprisingly sitting still enough to watch a movie when I know, there is so much excitement pumping through them.

I have a turkey in the oven, we're waiting for Jason to get home and I just remember there's one more present I need to go wrap. Ahh, it's here. Christmas is here!

I guess that means I should finish my daily December posts.

December 21
Princess Day
The girls and I painted our finger and toe nails and had a low key day at home.

Christmas color: White (angel)
Scripture reading: Luke 2:13-18

December 22
Go to our annual cookie decorating party
I look forward to this night all month long. It's a great tradition. I still remember when it was just us adults that got together and now there's a whole bunch of kids. They sure make it so much fun.

Christmas color: white (lamb)
Scripture reading: Luke 2:8-12

December 23
A day of friends

Today, my dear friend Kelle came over. Oh how I love chatting and visiting with her. I'm so happy that even though we don't work together anymore, we've still stayed friends. Thanks for always making the effort to come over and see us, it means so much to me. This year she gave the girls and I fleece blankets that she'd made. They are so adorable. I love them!

We spent the evening with the boys. The girls couldn't wait to go over and play with them. It's been awhile since they'd seen each other and I knew they'd be a little hyper when they finally got together. The boys/Melissa got the girls jump ropes. Oh the smile on their faces. Abigail hasn't been far from her new jump rope since getting it. She's jumping all the time.

What a great day spent with friends!

Christmas color: Gold (star)
Scripture reading: Matthew 2:1-2

December 24
Read the Christmas story

Like I said I have a turkey in the oven. We're also going to have mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls and a broccoli dish. It smells really good in here, I can't wait to eat. Plus, I've been busy making some more cookies and boiling eggs to take deviled eggs over to mom's tomorrow. Not to mention, sometime tonight I have to put together this breakfast casserole and get my caramel pull aparts ready. I'm going to be in the kitchen all day, but you know what, I love it, because Christmas is here. We have a lot to celebrate, God sent his son to be the savior of the world. Hallelujah!

Christmas color: Gold (three gifts)
Scripture reading: Matthew 2:10-11

I really want to add pictures but I've got to get back in that kitchen and Abigail is begging me to put on the Santa tracker. So, that's just going to have to be done later ...

Merry Christmas!

Church and lights

December 20

Go look at Christmas Lights

This morning Abigail said she didn't want to go to church. I know this feeling. I have felt it many times before. I'd rather relish in an easy morning instead of fighting over what can and can't be worn to church, girls yelling when their hair is being brushed and trying to wiggle away from me before I'm done, and the constants repeats of go brush your teeth, have you brushed your teeth. Yes, an easy morning where we stay home does sound nice, especially since there's already 5 crazy busy mornings at our house. So Abigail, I know how you feel, but is not wanting to go, really a good reason not to?

We talked and prayed about how she was feeling and went to church. We were late, but we went. And, guess what we talked about in my Sunday School class? We were on the chapter, Experiencing God in the Church, and the first question on our handout was, Why do you attend Church? I immediately thought about Abigail, our conversation and even my feelings come Sunday morning. It was a good discussion and something I needed to hear. I walked away thinking about, not just going for my own benefit and praise and worship, but how the Lord may use me to minister to someone else on Sundays. I am so glad we went and Abigail was too. Her and Ash made cute ornaments in their Sunday school class and were excited to come home and hang them on the tree.

That night we did go out and look at lights. Just at the houses around our subdivision and in the old sub. The girls had fun and we saw some pretty cute houses. Next year I need to make hot cocoa and grab a cookie for the drive too.

Christmas Color: Brown (donkey)
Scripture reading: Luke 2:1-4

Theme-less

December 19th

Well, I didn't have a theme for today. I couldn't really think of anything and/or maybe I was just kinda tired of thinking of one. It was still a nice day, theme or not. Here's a few of the moments from the day I want to remember.

Jason taking Abigail out Christmas shopping, with her own money.

The girls sliding down the stairs.

Singing Christmas songs together.

Checking the mail. I love this time of year, there's always happy mail.

Abigail sitting and coloring pictures for everyone in the family.



Ash reading a book to Jake.

(Do you see what's wrong with picture? Ash is on the dog bed and Jake is barely.)

Christmas Color: Brown (tools)
Scripture reading:

Add to the Collection

December 18

Add to the Collection.
(I figure this could change from year to year, a new book, an ornament, a decoration)

Today's advent gift was a new book, to add to our collection.

Abigail actually came home early from school. She has a low grade fever and is complaining of a sore throat (I'm praying that it doesn't turn into croup). So, she missed her class party and "very fun day" as Mrs Brilz had explained it. She was bummed, but I think got over it quickly. We had a low key day here at the house, watching movies, coloring, fighting (I hope the next 2 weeks aren't full of this) and reading.

With Abigail home, we read a few of our Christmas books. We finally finished her Junie B Jones book, read our new book, Snow Place Like Home (that I picked up at Hallmark for free, gotta love coupons), and Christmas Day in the Morning, that book always makes me cry. It was nice to cuddle up on the couch with my two girls.

I thought I'd also share pictures of some of the other things that have been added to the Christmas decorations this year.


I printed out the LO I did last year of the girls on a 8x10 canvas and then framed it. I got a great deal on both, the frame was on clearance at Kohls, I only paid $1.87, and there was an internet deal for three 8x10 canvas pictures for only $8.99 (that included shipping). So my total for this cute, memory filled decoration was under $5.


Every year I buy the girls an ornament, this year I decided to get an ornament to remember our family trip to Disneyland. What other ornament do you think we should get? There was another big event in our home this year that we should mark with an ornament. Any guesses?


Isn't my new fairy Santa handsome. This was the gift my mom gave me on Thanksgiving. I think he looks great in the kitchen, next to our Santa plate.

What new "thing" have you added to the collection this year?

Christmas Color: Pink (Heart)
Scripture Reading: John 3:16

We didn't actually have to read this verse, the girls recited it for me. So precious to listen to.

The book said, when you give a present to a loved one, share this gift as well, John 3:16. Isn't that a great idea! I'm thinking maybe next year the girls can write this verse out and we'll use it as a gift tag, wouldn't that be cute.

Gingerbread

December 17th

Decorate a gingerbread house
and this years kit came with a tree and 2 gingerbread men.

Christmas Color: Pink (candle)
Scripture Reading: Luke 1:41-45

Daily December Catch up

How did it get to be Thursday already and December 17th at that? Only 7 more whole days left and then it's Christmas. We're getting really excited over here.

Now for the catch up

I can't blog about today's advent activity since we haven't done it yet, so here's Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

December 16
Wear Red and Green

At least that was what I had the card, but I'm not sure anyone actually did. Well, Abigail wore a green shirt, but it wasn't Christmas green and it had butterflies on it. That might count, but not really. And then Ash, she wore her bubble gum shirt, which doesn't have any red or green. So, what do you do? I was just happy everyone was dressed for the day.

Christmas color: Blue (baby blanket)
Scripture reading: Luke 1:31-35

December 15
Make snowflakes

The girls weren't really all that interested in making paper snowflakes. We did a couple and that was it. I remember last year Abigail made a ton of them. Oh well, I guess we should have gone with something new and fun, like this. Next year.

Christmas Color: Blue (Mary)
Scripture reading: Luke 1:26-30

December 14
Family night

Family night is usually game night, but with a tired dad and worn out momma we opted to do a family movie night with popcorn. I rented Night at the Museum 2. Before 8 o'clock the girls and Jason had already fallen asleep, no one finished the movie. I'm sure it had a good ending but I turned it off and watch Table for 12 and Little People Big World instead.

Christmas Color: Orange (Construction Sign)
Scripture reading: Luke 3:2-6

Since this post has no pictures in it, hello (I haven't taken one picture since Sunday), I'll leave you with these sweet pictures.


Ashlynn's first Christmas, 3 months old


Abigail, 2 years old

Family

December 13

Today was all about family (unfortunately Jason had to work).

It was the children's Christmas program at church. Michayla, Abigail and Ash were in it.

Here's the best picture I could get of my girls before rushing out of the house.

The program was really good this year! I teared up multiple times during the program, one in paticular was when Michayla shared her testimony. Does the Lord whisper to you sometimes and let you in on why you were created, how he has used you ... I heard him on Sunday and if my only purpose here on Earth was to help bring these 2 beautiful girls (and I pray for the day Ash comes to know him as her savior) to Christ I am eternally grateful that he worked through me and allowed me to have a part in it.

I am hoping both will be baptized together next month, more detail to come. Oh how my heart is singing right now!

After lunch, our whole family went out to help meet the need of another family. I thought it was important to take the kids out and have them be a part in our shopping and giving. It's something I hope they remember and we do together, as a family, for many Christmases to come.

I am so thankful to be so close to my family, what a blessing they are.

Christmas Color: Orange (Honey)
Scripture Reading: Mark 1:4-8

Did you read the verses? Guess what John the baptist is doing in these verses? Baptizing!

Cookie Day

December 12

Christmas Color: Silver (halo)
Scripture reading: Luke 1:19

Cookie Day (do something nice for someone) and Go Sledding

What a busy, crazy, fun, tiring, snowy filled day.

Michayla spent Friday night with us. We woke up to new snow Saturday morning. I made the girls waffles and ran out the door to take them to church for their program rehearsal. While we were there it started snowing again and the girls couldn't wait to go play in it.

But first, I had to roll out and bake 72 sugar cookies, clean up, take them all over to Melissa's to frost and decorate, bake 36 recess peanut butter cookies, make up 3 plates of cookies for neighbors, clean up and then we were finally able to go play in the snow.



Getting myself and 3 girls ready for the snow is no small feat but it was sure worth it. The kids had a blast and even talked us tired moms into taking them to the "hill" to go sledding.

Gumballs for Bibles

December 11

Gumballs for Bibles

Today, the girls got these (scroll to the blue shirt) cute shirts in their advent.

Last month I bought this and this for the girls, just because they needed one. The girls were so thrilled to have their very own real bibles, you know, one with all the stories in it. They carried around their prize possessions with such pride and it's sparked a whole new thing in our house.

Since getting her very own bible, Abigail came to me one morning with items she had collected from her room and said she wanted to have a yard sale to raise money to buy bibles for kids.

Jason and I knew right away that this was something we couldn't just say okay, sure we'll get to it, it was something we needed to act on. We knew the Lord was speaking to Abigail and working through her to do this for others. We spent some time talking and thinking about how we could raise money, which organization we'd give it to, and came up with ... gumballs for bibles.

We decided that all the money we put in our gumball machine (it takes anything from a penny on up to a quarter) will go to a missionary from our church to buy bibles for kids in their area.

I gave the girls their shirts this morning and talked again about what we're doing. We're hoping the gumballs will run out soon so we can get our first gift off to the missionaries soon.

It's funny to think I was so against, opposed, and very upset about this gumball machine coming into our house and today I have a complete change of heart. Every time I hear the turning of the handle and little door being opened to grab a gumball, I smile and think of the joy other boys and girls will feel when they too have a bible of their own.

Christmas Color: Silver (silver-haired people)
Scripture reading: Luke 1:11-18

Activity Books

December 9

Christmas Activity Books

Being that it's Wednesday and not a whole lot of time to do more than homework, review memory verses, dinner and getting re-ready, today had to be something simple ... Christmas activity books.

Christmas Color: Black
Scripture reading: Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

vs 6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Relax

December 10

Enjoy a Relaxing Night
(the girls got bubble bath in their advent)

It'll be nice to just relax tonight. It's not that the days have been all that crazy but when you add up all the activities of the week a night of relaxation is so welcomed.

Today, was Abigail's school Christmas program, Melton the Warm Heart Snowman. She was the reindeer Dancer. I could go on about the program but I'm just going to say, Abigail did great and looked too stinkin' cute. (okay J, I think Ash does get the word stinkin' from me)



After the program Jason was off to work and Ash and I wrapped away the afternoon. Well, I wrapped and she watched TV all afternoon. Yes, I just admitted to it. We were able to throw in some play time ... a tea party, babysitting, and wash your dog, before Abigail came home but mostly, it was wrapping and TV watching.

This year, I'm realizing I need to be a bit more sneaky in my packaging of presents. I remember last year Michayla came over and picked up each of the girls presents and could tell what it was. This is a puzzle, this is clothes and on she went. I think Abigail could be closer to doing that. So, the easy days of just wrapping it in the box it came in, are over. Jason is a pro at disguising, I may have to get his help.

It's nice to see presents under the tree. It's starting to really feel like Christmas around here.

The girls took bubble baths and then we read a bunch of Christmas stories by the glow of the lights on the tree. Next thing I knew, Abigail was cuddled up near the tree ... fast asleep.

Christmas Color: Black (Flashlight)
Scripture reading: Isaiah 7:14

O Christmas Tree

December 8
Decorate the Christmas tree

This year (due to the return of our fake tree last year) we decided to get a real Christmas tree. It's so beautiful and the smell, I'd almost forgotten how nice it is to have a fresh one, nothing beats it.

Christmas color: Yellow (Crown)
Scripture reading: 2 Samuel 7:8-13

Let it Snow

We woke up to a blanket of snow on the ground. It was beautiful!
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Don't you just want to turn the fireplace on, wear cozy socks, listen to Christmas music and bake away the day? I sure do, but I have a list of other things to do today. Maybe the next snow day I can.





I'll be back later to fill in our advent day activity and Christmas color.

December 7
Make Christmas ornaments

Melissa invited the girls over to make ornaments with the boys. The girls couldn't wait to put them on the tree, they were asking me when we were going to get one.
(picture coming soon)

Side note: This is Cody and Abigail's conversation on the way home from school.
Cody: Abigail I have a Christmas present for you.
Abigail: You do?
Cody: Yes, it a ring. (He pulls out a purple reindeer ring) It can be your wedding ring.
Abigail: Okay, thanks!
Cody: I had a gold one but it broke.

Christmas color: Yellow (Wheat)
Scripture reading: Micah 5:2

Paint

December 6

Make a Christmas art project
(aka, paint a dollar bin Christmas picture from Target)

The girls were thrilled to come home from church and get started on their painting.

And, some how it turned into paint Ashy's hands. At least when I told her to put her hands up on her head she made a cute little reindeer.

Christmas Color: Red (Red Sea)
Scripture Reading: Exodus 14:21-23

Santa

December 5

Go see Santa

(and this is why I always buy the photo the professional takes)

But, even though my photo is blurry and of course was taken in a gym, which just yells "going to turn out dark", I still like the photo. The girls are totally relaxed and happy to be sitting with Santa. They sat there for quite some time chatting with him. Abigail asked for a MP3 player, Ash for a Belle dress and toy for Jake.

Tonight we're just hanging out. Probably going to enjoy some popcorn and a Christmas movie later.

Christmas Color: Red (Burning Bush)
Scripture Reading: Exodus 3:2-8

From the book: What do you do when you see a red light? You pay attention, and you stop. And that's what Moses did when he saw the red light of the burning bush.
The color red is all around us this season, so stop and pay attention. Take a moment to remember that God saved his people, and that includes you!

What we did do

December 4

Well, today was suppose to be, mail off presents, but that didn't happen. I realized I needed different gift tags, another box and more packing tape. So with that, they didn't make it to the post office. Maybe, Monday.

But we did,
make applesauce muffins,
have a playdate with friends,
listen to Abigail describe her great day at school,
make chili soup for Jason,
and then, (kinda last minute)
I took the girls up to the church to drop them off (the youth group were watching kids to raise money) and left to go finish my Christmas shopping (I thought about crashing a date night, but decided against it).

We came home in time to jammie up and jump in bed.
I started reading Abigail, Junie B Jones: Jingle Bells, Batman Smells! (PS So Does May)
and for me, The Christmas Box.

Christmas color: Purple (grapes)
Scripture reading: Genesis 9:8-20

Candy Canes

December 3

Read a Christmas book

Today, the girls got candy canes, and not just any candy cane, these had bubble gum in them (the girls loved them!) and while they ate them (yes, first thing this morning) we read, The Legend of the Candy Cane. That book led to other Christmas books being read. It was such a nice way to spend the morning before jumping into our "get ready for school" mode.

Christmas color: Purple (Storm Cloud)
Scriptures: Genesis 6:5-8; 7:13-16

One of the sentence in the book says: Noah and the creatures of the world would be saved according to God's plan, but first they had to wait in the dark ark until life could be restored. The wait for God's gift, Jesus, was worth the wait too.

Santa Letter

December 2

Write Santa a letter

Isn't Abigail's letter cute. I love their handwriting at this age and how well they sound out words.

I wrote Ashy's letter for her. She asked for -
winter jammies for her doll
Belle princess dress
Ariel bath toy
Tinkerbell dress
and then she asked if Santa would bring Jake a squeaker toy (isn't that sweet)

After school we went to the post office and mailed them off.

Color of Christmas: Green
Scripture: Genesis 3:1-3 & 13-15

Hot Cocoa

December 1

Make hot cocoa
in these cute new snowman mugs

I got a lot accomplished today. I ran a few errands and picked up some more gifts that were on my list. I am almost done with my Christmas shopping, just a couple more items and that's it. Hurray! I'm closer to my goal of getting my shopping done early.

Tonight, after we came in from walking Jake, I made some hot cocoa to heat us up and then started our daily bible reading to discover, What Color is Christmas. I'm really excited about this. I was wanting to add a verse to each day of our advent calendar (to help us keep our goal of focusing on Christ) and then Melissa shared with me this great book that takes each color, one at time, to share the story of Christmas, starting in the garden of Eden and on through the bible to the good news of a Savior. How perfect, it's just what I was needing. Thanks for sharing it Melissa!

Color: Green
Scripture: Genesis 2:4-9