Christmas at the Andersons...

The Christmas season for our family began last weekend. We celebrated Christmas with just the six of us b/c this week is full of Christmas with our extended family. I love this time of year. I love everyone getting together. I love seeing the looks on my children's faces as they open gifts, I LOVE that Chris does not have to work and can stay home with us. However, my favorite part is helping my children learn the true meaning of Christmas.

Don't judge me...my kids have had their picture taken with Santa (with me included...thank you Kaityn) and we had my brother-in-law and sister-in-law ring jingle bells outside the kids window and say "Ho, Ho, Ho." But this year my kids really are getting why we celebrate Christmas. Cooper over and over has reminded me that it is not about gifts but "Jesus being born in a barn." We have three "kid friendly" nativity scenes and the kids on several occasions have used those "figures" to tell the Christmas story. There were times when it brought tears to my eyes because they ARE getting it.

One of my favorite Christmas things is something that my mom and dad-in-law got us. There is a manger scene and then seven boxes. In each box is an item which tells part of the story...angel, shepherd, wise man, mary, joseph, baby Jesus & then box 7 is empty with a mirror. It is a reminder that God wants us for Christmas...our hearts, our choices, our attitude, etc. We have done that this week and really have discussed what it means to give Jesus our hearts. It has been such a joy for me to see how my kids have grown and how God is turning their tender hearts towards Him.

I hope you and your family enjoy all the fun that Christmas has to offer but at the same time remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Our Gingerbread House

This afternoon we worked together to decorate a gingerbread house. It was quite the experience. They kept asking when they could eat the candy. Needless to say, I was ready to get it finished. It is sitting outside right now in hopes that the frosting will freeze. I am hoping that it stays put together long enough for Chris to see it when he comes home.

Santa's A Sooner

We went to the mall today to get the kids picture taken with Santa. However, I ended up in the picture as well because Kaityn Mae was not about to have anything to do with the Santa.

While walking through the mall Santa was walking around as well. I guess he was on a lunch break.

This is the conversation that took place...



Santa: "Howdy"

Kids: "Hi"

Santa: "Have you been good this year?"

Kids: "Yes"

Santa: "Good job. Have a Merry Christmas."

Kids: "Merry Christmas."



A few minutes later...



Kaibryn: "Mommy, why did Santa say, 'Howdy'?"

Me: "Well...he's in Oklahoma and sometimes that's how people say hi."

Kaibryn: **slight pause** "Oh, that's why he wears red & white."

Me: "Yes, honey. Santa is a Sooner fan."

Boomer!!!!!

Our Precious Gifts

Well, our Christmas cards are almost all mailed out. I tried & tried& tried& tried...I think you get the idea...to get a picture of all four of them smiling & looking at the same time. Well, it did not work. I decided to take some individual pictures of them and maybe I could do something with them. That worked. I love each of the pictures that were taken.

They are so sweet & fun. The weather here is COLD, DARK & DREARY. But inside it was LOUD, MESSY & FUN. We played a relay game with a ball, read books, played other games, ate chocolate (alot of chocolate) & had a blast. Now it is time to clean up before Daddy gets home in about an hour and a half. It will take that long to regain some order in our home.

Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Thankful Thursday (A Day Early)

I have heard from a few people (mostly family) that I have not posted lately. I HAVE been busy but have to admit I've met a new friend in "Facebook." It is so easy to post pictures and little comments here and there but I will try to be better at blogging than what I have been.

I'm posting right now because who knows what tomorrow brings. So here goes...

1. I am thankful it is Christmas. I love this time of year...family, traditions, & introducing Kaityn Mae to Baby Jesus. She will go over to our manger scene and say, "Baby." I love it.

2. I am so thankful that when we first had kids I felt like we needed to start "traditions". Next weekend we will do our family "tradition" and watch a movie, sleep in the living room & then open presents and read the Christmas story the next morning. It will be our family Christmas before the Christmas week begins.

3. I am thankful that we are having Chris's side of the family here on Christmas Eve...Lots of people!!

4. I am thankful for movie night Tuesday night with Michael and Candace.

5. I am also thankful that our kids are able to watch movies now that Mommy & Daddy like as well.

6. I am thankful that everytime we pass a house with lights Cooper yells, "Christmas lights" like he has never seen them before.

7. I am thankful that the kids are learning something...or maybe not. Cooper was holding a book today and was telling me it was the story of "David and had a colorful coat and his brothers threw him into water with a whale." We might have to clarify stories tomorrow.

8. I am thankful for my husband who shows me and tells me everyday that he loves me. I love it when he kisses me and the kids say, "OOOOOOOOOO gross" but then look to see if we kiss again.

9. I am thankful for my new niece or nephew coming in June...Did I tell you I was going to be an Aunt.

10. I am thankful for this season where I am reminded of God's gift for me...His Son and how He loves me so much more than I can imagine. Looking back at this year He has blessed us so much and even at times when I wonder where He was I can see His hand and how He used everything for His glory.

Hope you have a Thankful Thursday!!!!!!!