Christmas Recap

This Christmas was special, not only was it John Thomas' First Christmas, but we were able to spend it with both sides of our family, celebrate the birth of Christ and took things a little slower than normal.

We started out by decorating the tree, okay, well the kids did most of it, but after a crazy October and November - we were happy for the help!  Karson was our tree decorating photographer and got some of these shots:

Koen had a lot of fun modeling the decorations!

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Close up of our front door wreath:

 This explains how John Thomas felt about his first tree trimming experience:

 Sweet Lainey who now gets left out more than we like to admit!

 The crew with the exception of our photographer and our fussy baby!

 Almost finished product!

 I found Koen in my ribbon bin (notice the ribbon around his tummy) he said he wanted me to take his picture wrapped up as a present under the tree.  I would say he makes a pretty good present!

We received several treats that John Thomas "made" at MDO!

He also got to see Santa for the first time!

This picture is before his Christmas party day at school, not sure what his face is about :)

 He and I also completed a Light Run with MRTT through a local neighborhood to look at lights. 

My favorite Christmas tradition is going to the Christmas Candlelight Service at our church.  We got there early and took a few pictures, some successful, and some not so successful! 

 I love being able to kick off the Christmas week with service at church, it sets the tone for our family about the true reason for Christmas.  I want to make sure we always focus on Jesus' birth and the ultimate GIFT that didn't come wrapped in fancy paper or with a big bow, but came as an innocent baby boy in a humble manger. 

 Before Karson opened presents, we tried to get a couple of Christmas PJ shots, but John Thomas was clearly not in the mood for a photo shoot!

 Karson opening her big present, Pink Floor Seats for her concert in February, it only looks like toilet paper!

Then the night before Christmas!

 and finally... Christmas morning! We all took our time getting up and ready to open presents and eat breakfast casserole.  I was so glad my parents and sister were with us to see Koen and John Thomas open presents!

The boys got tons of presents and John Thomas mainly enjoyed the wrapping and ribbon, pretty much ignoring most of the gifts we got him!  I did manage to get a few pictures of him playing with a few gifts. 

 All Koen mentioned wanting the entire month of December was a basketball goal, to which we always responded that we really didn't have room for one, they were expensive, etc. etc.  So after all the presents were opened and we were getting ready to eat breakfast, we asked him if there was anything he wanted that he didn't get.  Of course, he responded no, he got everything he wanted.  Little did he know, Nana and Papa J, along with Aunt Allie, had ordered him a basketball goal!  Even though it was the only thing he asked for, he never mentioned not getting it!  We finally told him to go outside and get something from the car, and he found his basketball goal.  Unfortunately, the weather on Christmas was cold and rainy, later turning to snow, and he didn't get to play with it!

John Thomas enjoying his new Radio Flyer wagon from Papa and Nana, in the house!

As I mentioned earlier, the weather was terrible all day.  The only good thing about it was John Thomas' first Christmas turned out to be a White one! 

 We all got a good laugh with John Thomas and this water bottle.  He played with it and "drank" out of it for probably half an hour and got soaking wet!  Goes to show, no matter how many fun new things you give to a little one, it really is the simple things that keep them entertained!

We celebrated Christmas with Pappy and Granna on December 30 and I am so upset that all the pictures we took have disappeared.  I only have this one my sister in law sent me, so until I can find them, this is the only picture I have! At least it is of some pretty cute kiddos! We have some adorable nieces and nephews!  Hard to believe there will be TWO more next year!

 I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas, spent with those you love most!  We are so blessed and I can't wait to see what 2013 will bring! 

Love, 

Alisha

BIG ONE ZERO!

Koen turned 10 on December 12!  We celebrated his birthday with a few of his friends at the Dallas Karting Complex.  If you haven't been out there, I highly recommend it!  The guys (young and old) loved it!  We enjoyed pizza, cake and racing and ended up staying way past our allotted time!

The best part, was that Koen decided not to have family and friends bring gifts, but instead, canned foods for Helping Hands.  We couldn't have been more proud watching his excitement grow each day to see how many cans he would collect.  His goal was 100 cans, and we can say that he met and exceeded that goal!  We delivered 152 cans to Helping Hands the next day! It is amazing that a ten year old "kid" has such a huge heart for helping and serving others.

Koen, 

We are blessed to be your parents. You are a great example to everyone around you.  You are smart, handsome, loving and caring - that is just a short list of the wonderful qualities you possess.  We love you so much and are very, very proud of you!

Daddy and Alisha