I am still learning the importance of preparing for Christmas all year--purchasing next year's Christmas cards the day after Christmas, picking up gifts on sale hopefully throughout the year (ha!), getting our Christmas cards addressed before Thanksgiving, having meals prepared in the refrigerator the week before Christmas day, stuffing stockings earlier in the week! Perhaps because I remember doing all our shopping December 24 when the check finally came in and staying up all night wrapping presents, I really try to prepare for Christmas. At every holiday evaluation, we all seem to say the same thing--"whatever is less stressful", so I am always looking for ways to do this. Your idea of pizza on Christmas this year was totally out of my comfort zone but I loved hanging out with all of you and enjoying everyone!
Abe- thanks for the new snack this year which contained a combination of tomato, fresh basil, onion, and marinated mozzarella balls. It was not only tasty but with the beautiful Christmas colors it truly evoked an incredible festive spirit!!! Your Party Mix gets more gourmet each year and everyone loves to snack on it following the crunch of Christmas. The "Catch a Phrase" game you brought was one of the highlights of our Christmas Eve--thanks for the entertainment! I loved giving Macie her first Christmas Oreo with red frosting!
p.s. Abe, I love the Starbuck's calendar with drawers you gave us several years ago.
Paul, your bacon chestnut wraps are now a tradition over a decade! We all look forward to popping them into our mouths after smelling them baking all evening! Thanks for bringing your new "son" Stephen over on Christmas Eve, he was a kick to play games with and so sweet!
Your "other" four dear children were so happy and such fun!
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| Bundling up Keira for a Christmas light walk! |
Laura, you are so sensitive to the underdog of the group or whoever is feeling most uncomfortable! Thank you for reaching out to certain people when you knew they were embarrassed and showering them with your compassion and kindness. I so appreciate you thinking of gifts for the grand kids and organizing that from all the aunties! It was wondrous having you here for a whole week!!!! Your punch was a delight!!!
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| Your beloved nieces |
Hannah, you successfully completed your activity calendar and I loved each new project you did with the girls all month--from snowflakes to gingerbread houses to sugar cookies. I loved the creativity in your Christmas decorations--from the thrift store bulbs you created a beautiful garland and wreath, and I adored the clothespins the girls decorated to hold your Christmas cards.
Your Christmas card won my prize for the Most Spectacular Card of the Year! Lastly, thank you for the annual calendar filled with a year's precious photographs! All year long I enjoy it and think of your sacrificial love.
Thank you for letting us all come by to make sugar cookies! What a delightful afternoon!
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| Kiley, Laura and Hannah baking! |
Thank you for your sweet treat, Joyanna,and for putting up with all our kidding! Watching you play Christmas carols at the Retirement Home was a treasured memory, even if you didn't know "Blue Christmas":) What joy you bring to those dear seniors! I loved the silver glittery ornament you had hanging on your rear view mirror all month!
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| Miss Fudge 2011 |
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| Michael and Joanna |
Esther, thank you for these magnificent Christmas red tulips that you gave me and we all enjoyed all December!!!
We certainly enjoyed Christmas through the eyes of a two year old this year, didn't we? Every time Landon saw the tree lights flash on and we saw the delightful expression across his face was heart-warming. Watching him see the lights at Candy Cane Lane with pure glee reminded us of the simple ecstasies of Christmas. How sweet it was to watch you make Christmas special for your son, and these little pencils tops turned out so cute--even if Landon pulled their heads off in two seconds!
Christmas shopping was never so fun with a carousel ride for Landon and you!!!!
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| Esther, Landon and Nick at Candy Cane Lane |
Sarah, I missed you being the center of our organizing this year but were happy you were thrilled in your new home at Hannah's and enjoying Kiley and Keira's antics and fun!! Thank you for babysitting them and bundling them up to take them out to see the neighborhood Christmas lights!
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| Sarah and Rachel making cookies! |
How blessed I was to hear you sent out your thank you cards before I did, Sarah, good job!!!! Thank you also for attending the Titus 2 Christmas party with me! How I miss doing Horner with you each morning!
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| Rachel and Izzy decorating sugar cookies! |
Rachel, your sweet presence was missed around her but I am thankful of your servant's heart to babysit so others could go out and shop and celebrate! You are precious to me and I can't wait to hang out with you!
Izzy, I loved cooking and cleaning with you while we listened to Little Women on CD. I think we could have done in all day and all night, just to get another chapter in :). Thank you for staying at my side the whole time getting the house prepared for our festivities. Making the peppermint/white chocolate popcorn was fun too, and to have as much as we want vs. hoarding a little bag we received from kind Mrs. Carasco each year. We finally got in the taffy pull, and I love the aqua color you chose and the curls you formed your taffy into were so cute! How I appreciate you helping me stamp, fold and stuff the Christmas cards--you are faithful in all the little tasks surrounding Christmas.
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| Izzy and her Christmas nails! |
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| We shopped til we dropped! |
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| Peppermint White Chocolate Popcorn |
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| Izzy's Taffy |
And dear hubby, thank you for putting up the lights outside, taking us to get the Christmas tree the day after thanksgiving, making your yummy salsa to share with friends, taking out the trash over and over and over, and being patient with me going over our budget one more year!! I love you!
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| Skip's Salsa |
Dear family, I hope this Christmas was not just about gifts or food or lights, but also about Jesus, the Son of God, who came down from heaven to give us eternal life in Him. He has blessed us with love beyond measure in our family, yet He loves each of you much more than I ever could. I pray that each of you will seek Him.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
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