Christmas Card Pictures

My friend Julia came and took family pictures for our Christmas card and a few extra for Mary's 6 month pictures.

Going to see Santa

The girls were excited to go see Santa at the Mall, especially Emily. I was surprised that when we got there Emily was scared of Santa and did not want to sit on his lap. Mary was all smiles looking at him and touching his beard.

Here are the girls ready to go see Santa.

Here are the girls with Santa. I had to push Emily toward Santa for the picture, as you can see my hand in the photo. This is the closest Emily got to Santa.

Emily told Santa she wants "a dog that walks, an American Girl Doll, a new couch, a new remote, and a new TV." Santa said "Are you sure those things aren't on Mommy's list?" Emily said "No they are on my list!"

It was funny after Santa came and brought Emily's presents, she said "where is the couch, TV and remote?" I said "Santa must of thought you didn't need those things, and why would you need those anyway, we have a couch and TV." Emily's response "I need a new couch, TV and remote for my room!" I can't believe that at 3 years old she wants a TV in her room!

First December snow fall

Boy was Emily excited when we got our first snow in early December. I love experiencing everything through the eyes of a 3 year old.

Opening up presents

Linda was excited over her bamboo steamer (a new healthier way to reheat food).

Jim was happy when he opened his beer making kits.

Dad was surprised by Dave's farm soup bowls and mugs.

We had a great time just being together.

Lots of hugs for Mary at Thanksgiving

There was no shortage of hugs and and kisses for Mary at Thanksgiving

Lobster for an early Christmas dinner

When we celebrated Christmas at Thanksgiving with my family we had a special treat of a lobster dinner! Jim cooked up the lobsters with us and we all pitched in with some special side dishes. Dave made a blue cheese, macadamian nut side that paired well with the steaks and salad. It was a nice change from the traditional turkey or ham.

Family Devotion Time at Thanksgiving

It was nice at Thanksgiving to sit down and enjoy family devotion time before bed. Here is David readying out of the Bible before our prayers.

Mary opening her first present

Mary got to open up her first Christmas present last week. She was more interested in the paper than the present. Of course!

Thanksgiving Day at Aunt Joyce's

Every year for Thanksgiving we go to my Aunt Joyce's house. A majority of the men go and hunt and the rest of us eat and hang out until lunch. After lunch we clean up and then get out our coupons and flyers and search out the best Black Friday deals.

I love the family tradition of eating a big turkey meal, and I love preparing for shopping on Black Friday.

Sarah, Kate & Mary, Josh & Claire

Dave with Emily

Dave's Birthday is on November 25th, so it often times falls on Thanksgiving. We also celebrated Uncle Marvin's 70th Birthday. They both seemed pretty happy with the cake!

Opening a few presents

After church on Thanksgiving we each opened one Christmas present seeing we celebrated Christmas at Thanksgiving this year. Sarah and her family from New Orleans won't be here for Christmas, they are going to Colorado with Curt's family.

Emily opening her & Mary's present from the Mulls. BIG Building Blocks - cool!

It was so funny Mom had us all open up a present. The women got pj's with sheep on them and the men got big bad wolf shirts.

The men in their shirts - Curt, Steve, Dad, Dave & Jim

The women in their pj's - Sarah, Linda, Heather, Mom & Me

We had a lot of fun goofing around in our pj's and shirts that night. :)

Dinner at Metzger's

Wednesday night before the Thanksgiving service at church we went to Metzger's as a family.

Here are the kids entertaining Mary. Emily, SJ & Caleb with Mary

Kate, Sarah & Linda

Mary was so good waiting in her car seat for a majority of dinner.

Emily colored and was good too!

Jim & Steve

Dad, Curt, Dave

Grandma & I

Great Grandma and Mary

Dave & Emily

The Mulls are in town!

Last week my sister Sarah and her family came into town from New Orleans to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas.

SJ & Emily getting ready for lunch on Sunday

Kate, SJ & Mary, Emily

Sarah with Mary

Emily & Mary

We spent lots of time together with the Mulls. They even got to join us for Music Together on Wednesday morning, and we all had a blast!

Visiting with Great Grandma Feher

A few weeks ago we went to visit Jim's grandmother. It was nice we visiting for a while and then eat dinner. I had took vegetable soup and we didn't have to worry about cooking, and just relaxed. We decided to give Grandma her Christmas present a little early, I am not showing pictures of the present because we got the same present for a few other family members.

Grandma with Mary - yes Mary's hair fits in a bow now. :)

Mary was checking out Grandma's present

Emily helping Daddy

Emily has spent a lot of time helping daddy, especially on Saturday's when he is home and I'm inside with Mary. Here is Emily helping daddy load the trailer with some boxes. Then Emily went with daddy in the big red truck to deliver the boxes, it was for Jim's dad's estate stuff.

Mary and I met up with Jim and Emily at his grandmother's house that afternoon.