Luke and Eva Christmas 2009

Last year it was very difficult to get a good Christmas picture so this year I took the kids to JC Penny for professional photographs. I completed the session with 14 photos that I loved...I only needed one.

It's the most wonderful time of the year

I love Christmas because it is the only holiday that is one month long. I love cherishing the time with family, the decorations,the celebration of the prior year, and the gifts. This year my joy was even more intense than usual. I feel so thankful for some of my childhood dreams coming true. I don't have to wonder about what I am going to be, where I am going to live, who I am going to marry, or when to have children. Most of the questions in my life are now answered. They are answered just like I have always hoped. I always hoped for a family and marriage full of love. I also hoped for the ability to provide for myself and others. So I will reflect and be thankful every day.

Good Things at Christmas

Luke made this Chrismas wreath at Montessori school. It has leaves, pinecones, apples, oranges, and dired flowers. I will display it in the kitchen window. I love getting gifts from Luke. Eva got her own "bedazzled" stocking. Ever since I first saw the Pottery Barn stockings I wanted to get a beautiful one for my daughter.

Dave and I always have a his work party to attend which is always a great time. Here Grandma and Grandpa came over to baby sit and we enjoyed the night alone.

Thanksgiving

I have so many reasons to be thankful. Every year I say I am thankful for Dave, Eva, and Luke. They are such gifts. Gifts that keep giving to me every day. This year I made my "thankful list" just a little longer. I added...

-kids loving you when you don't feel lovable

-kids not caring that there are toys over the entire house

-kids in fuzzy jammies

-kids saying "I love you so much!"

This month I really loved having Eva wear her first bow and her first pair of Ugs. Everything is much cuter when it is smaller.Luke and Boden out looking for a Christmas tree followed by the cousins in an old fashioned sled.

Here we are attending Luke's favorite train show with Casey and Caleb. We have watched the video of this show at least 20 times since. Luke asks to watch the trian show with Casey in it. He doesn't want me to confuse it with "I love toy trains 1," "I love toy trains 2,3,4" or "Model Trains."