Happy Adoption Day

Happy Adoption Day to Raider. So proud of you and thankful you are in our family!

On the road again

This year's trip to Lancaster was a little different with grandma in the hospital and all of us praying for a Christmas miracle of new lungs. Even though we didn't get lungs, our wish came true that grandma was able to come home for Christmas (at least for a little while).

Let the Christmases begin

Even though they moved to LA this year, Brian and Nicole were able to join us for our Christmas celebrations with Mom and Dad. Haylie and James were so happy to hang out with their cousins and of course they love Christmas present time.

We've got Spirit!

Enjoyed watching our nieces this morning in their (new) hometown Christmas parade.

Advent

Having so much fun on our Truth in Tinsel daily advent project and story. Loved our ornament for today. (Mary - Day 5). They wish we could do all the crafts at once!

Polar Express

We planned a surprise trip for the kids on the Polar Express train ride. They had no idea where they were going but they were very excited that they could wear their pajamas.

They did a good job trying to re-create the experience with a ticket punch, dancing waiters, hot chocolate and cookies, a drive-by the north pole and Santa giving out bells for the kids to take home.

Dear Santa

Last year all Haylie wanted for Christmas was a puppy - I finally cracked for her birthday last month and got her one. Today, Haylie sat on Santa's lap and when he asked her what she wanted, she told him.... "a baby sister." Killing me!

Handsomest

I just love Haylie's daily notes and pictures to all of us. Here is one for James from today - that first word is handsomest :). Such a sweet girl.

Thanksgiving at Home

This year we had a last minute change in our usual Thanksgiving trip to Southern CA. Instead we had the pleasure of hosting the family at our house for Thanksgiving. We aren't really equipped to have 20 people over for dinner since we chose to forego a dining room in favor of a computer / craft room instead. So - we converted the pool table into seating for everyone and pulled some tables out into the entry. Everyone fit nicely and it was fun not to have to travel this year and still get to visit with the extended family. Of course, that meant we had to actually cook this year, which we usually seem to get out of but it was a fun time...

My little pilgrim

"A long time ago my great great great great great great great great grandfather was a pilgrim." Ever since Grandpa told Haylie about her pilgrim ancestry she has been very excited to tell that story to everyone she knows. Plus she has really wanted to learn more about pilgrims and was even more excited to be one in her school performance: