Merry Christmas Eve!

I have actually had 1 hour here at the house when all is calm, all is bright, a Christmas miracle right here in our home. Paige and Morgan have settled down for their long winter naps and Tyler and Shane are at the driving range. The pumpkin pies are baking and the turkey is begging to be stuffed. The Christmas songs are playing in the background and I am feeling very grateful for this season (and not just because the house is quiet, although that doesn't hurt!)

I LOVE Christmas. Christmas Day is not necessarily my favorite, but all of the days that lead up to it. The kids' anticipation, the music and knowing that we will come together to deliver treats and read the Christmas story. I love that people are more kind to each other in general. We spend time thinking of how we will be able to surprise and bring joy to others through gifts and service.

Tonight we will gather together to read of the birth of Christ, and it makes me feel warm inside to know that people everywhere will be doing the same thing before they tuck their little ones in to bed or kiss each other good night. So, Merry Christmas Eve! Enjoy your families, your blessings, and enjoy honoring Christ, who gave us everything!

sunset

The sunsets in AZ are amazing, especially when there is a little weather involved. I know, it rarely happens, (the weather, I mean) but when it does, it comes in full glory. Right before Thanksgiving we had a little rain shower and a full double rainbow clear across the sky. . you could see both ends of it! Unfortunately, we were on our way out of town and my camera was in the trunk. Just Friday night, though I got a shot of this gorgeous sunset. It came straight out of my camera. . no editing here! enjoy!

Hey! That last post was my 100th post. To top that off, I'm done editing pictures for the holidays! Let the playing begin!

Naughty or nice

We sat on Santa's lap this year at "Breakfast with Santa" at the church. When I say "we", I mean Paige, Tyler and Morgan. . . just in case you were making assumptions.

When we put Morgan on Santa's lap he said, " and what do you want for Christmas. . . a diaper change?"

She'd be happy with that.

Tyler asked for a lego star wars ship

Paige asked for a snow white doll, horse and prince

Paige spoke for Morgan and asked Santa for a high chair

Will Santa come through? Stay tuned!

Thanksgiving Day

Happy belated Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for:

all of my family

my home

my talents

good friends

a supportive patient husband

3 good kids

Shane's job

Barbs and Shane

Paigey

friends (Christy, Brian and Cody)

Bruce and Sharon

Tyler

Sarah and Josh

Bird watching! HA!!!

Excellent cooks

Little thumbs to make cute placecards

gingerbread. . . yummy!

Shane's ability to distort his face in ALL pictures. . . awesome.

Grandpa, Grandma and Morgan

My beliefs

Sedona

Before Paige's birthday, we took our annual Sedona trip for Shane's continuing education conference. Here's a little recap of what we did.

We stayed in a timeshare right on the golf course, generously donated by our friend, Amy. The kids had their own room, Morgan slept in the living room, and we had the master bedroom.

The view from our balcony

What the kids wanted to do all day. . . lay in bed and watch cartoons

What we opted to do instead. . . visited the kids favorite toy shop downtown. (This picture does not do it justice. There are really cool toys inside!

Then, we drove up the canyon and stopped for a little treat at Dairy Queen. . . this picture is for you, Barbs!

The next day we hiked at Bell Rock. Shane found $62.00 laying on the ground with not a soul around us. We kept our ears open, but never saw or heard of anyone looking for the money. Um. . . the kids think that hiking is great. We didn't have the heart to tell them that you don't find money every time you hike.

Yes, that's right folks. . . that's my sweet hubby, hiking Bell Rock in his flip flops.

We played in the leaves

and hung out at cathedral rock park for a few hours.