Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent at my parent's house in Rogers. Every year my Mom makes a big lasagna dinner (since we'll have the traditional turkey dinner the next day) and then we unwrap gifts. Mason didn't know what to think, but liked the tissue paper and soon realized that he was getting new toys!
After eating and unwrapping, we all attended the Candlelight Service at church. It was so refreshing to celebrate Jesus' birth with hymns, prayer, and a beautiful version of Silent Night sang by candlelight.
When we got home, I put out cookies and milk for Santa (although Mason had already gone to bed!) Of course I took a picture to document the beginning of a tradition in our house.




Cameron

Chloe'

Angela

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!

Holiday Must-Read

If you have never read The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans, you are really missing out! I pulled this thin little book off the bookshelf the other night and opened it up:

To: Lindsay
From: Mom
12-24-94

I had read it years ago when I received it as a gift, but I couldn't remember the story. Since it is a mere 87 pages, I quickly found myself at the end, as tears streamed down my face. I urge you to take time to read this short story--it will make your Christmas!

Excerpt from Amazon.com:
Richard Paul Evans originally wrote The Christmas Box as an expression of love for his two daughters, never intending for it to be published. Many Christmas seasons later, this touching tale relates the meaning of Christmas in a profound but simple way. Rick, Keri, and their 4-year-old daughter, Jenna, are hired as caretakers and are welcomed into the home of Mary, an ailing widow, just in time for the holidays. Before long, it becomes apparent that Mary cherishes their companionship, and this young family begins to understand that their relationship to Mary is more special than any one of them could have realized. These tender relationships, fraught with real-life struggles, are the backdrop for unraveling a mysterious secret that gently propels the reader through this short story. Unlike most generic Christmas stories, Evans manages to bypass triviality, imbedding these pages with humble truth and emotion. This tiny treasure will cause you to rejoice in the blessings of the season while stirring up a childlike vigor as old profundity is revealed anew. In a season often shrouded in selfishness and materialism, Evans reminds the reader that the only way that we can genuinely love one another is by accepting the greatest gift of love ever given--that of a Father who "so loved His children that He sent His son, that we might someday return to Him." --Jill Heatherly

Christmas Friend Gifts

I just made these little gifts for a few close friends that I work with. (I know I'm a dork--I had to take a picture of them!) I used the small Kensington Hurricanes from Southern Living at HOME (they were on sale a while back so they were inexpensive) and filled them with a lotion and body spray and chocolates. Covered with cellophane and tied on a pretty ribbon--I can't wait to give them to the girls tomorrow!

My iPod

This is a happy picture of me because...



I won this little jewel at my work Christmas party! (iPod Shuffle that happens to be in my fave color, turquoise!)


Hope I don't lose it--it's so tiny!

Shopping in the Snow

Mason's visit with Santa

Saturday we took Mason to see Santa. When we first walked up to him, Mason grabbed onto me really tight, but he let me sit him on Santa's lap and was ok for several minutes while we tried to get him to smile. Then he decided he wasn't ok and started to cry. We ended up only buying one 5x7 but my Mom took these photos and I thought they were pretty good. Since we never got around to getting our family pic taken, the bottom one has now become our Christmas card picture!
After that, we shopped the rest of the day in the snow. It was the first time Mason had been out in the snow and he liked it, besides being cold.

Chloe' is a Guitar Hero

Here is my niece playing Guitar Hero, which is probably boring if she's not your niece, but nevertheless...
(a friend of hers posted this on youtube)
I guess she's REALLY good at it...
Chloe' on youtube
She does play the real guitar and the violin (maybe that helps?)

Today

We went to Wal-Mart this afternoon despite the yucky wet, cold weather and actually bought a few Christmas presents (finally!) I tried to get a few quick pics of Mason in his new winter coat before heading out, but of course he just ran toward me and tried to grab the camera. This one turned out really cute though...

Pajama Day

Mason is 17 months old today! (I can't believe how big he is!)
I was going to take Mason to get a haircut (his 2nd ever) today, but it was so cold and wet outside all day long that instead, I let him stay in his pajamas all day and play. (I didn't even comb his hair)
I've been trying to get a shot of him with the Christmas tree, but he just won't sit still long enough.

Stephen Mackey Seasonal Art

Stephen Mackey has been one of my very favorite artists for so long, I can't remember when I started liking his work. He is such a versitile artist. As I'm sure you can see, his fairies and angels are my favorites of his work. Just thought I'd post some seasonal art...and of course I can't choose just a few, so this post will be long!

Stephen Mackey Eskimos

Here are Stephen Mackey's adorable little Eskimos

Our Christmas Tree and Decorations

Here's what I did the weekend after Thanksgiving...

Our tree has been blue and gold ever since I first moved out on my own. I finally changed it up this year to red and gold. I'm still getting used to it, but I think I like it. Most of the pics I took turned out blurry for some reason (been messing with the camera lately) so these aren't the greatest shots...





Didn't get the whole Nativity in the shot

Our stockings are currently at my Mom'--she's embroidering our names on them

Southern Living at HOME Wisemen and Finials

This ceramic tree was my Great Grandmother, Ima's. It's on the kitchen table.