Happy Birthday Jesus & Merry Christmas!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Today was a little different from the last few years. Grandma Mimi & Papa were out of town so Aunt Heidy, Tiana & Monique spent the night last night. They got to experience our Lent family tradition. Andrew of course was up at 5:45 pacing the halls. Daddy & I pretended to be asleep while Andrew just stood at our door & hoped that his stares would wake us. I finally had to hide my smile & tell him to "GO BACK TO BED". Again at 7:00 I could hear the heavy breathing & the waiting was just too much for him. He ran in our room & begged us to hurry downstairs & make the coffee so he could wake Isabella, Noah & Maggie. I started to tease him & tell him that this year we were gonna make breakfast before we opened presents. He about had a heart attack! Our coffee pot broke so Andrew had to wait patiently 'til daddy got home w/ our order from Starbucks! Finally you kids heard the clanking of the spoon on dad's coffee mug & you were down the stairs w/ laughing & jumping. Dad decided to read us all the Christmas story to start the morning out right & surprisingly you all listened, even Noah. Although he couldn't take his eyes off the tree! Santa was really generous this year. Andrew got the XBOX 360 he's been begging for for over a year, Isabella got a pink DS & Noah and Maggie got a Little Tikes Playhouse (among many other gifts). HOW FUN!!!! I made Belguim Waffles & Daddy made left over pot roast over hash browns & eggs. YUM!!!! Then it was time to rest until we were off to Grandma Mary & Grandpa Ricks for dinner with them, Uncle Matt, Aunt Chrissy, Miles, Uncle Matt's mom, Marie, Uncle Noel, Heather, Angel & Wyatt. Grandpa made you all a pair of stilts, w/ the exception of Maggie of course. Even Noah got a pair but wasn't too thrilled about standing out in the cold to attempt them. Andrew & Isabella got a good hour of practice before dinner & then were out practicing even more. Andrew got about 5 steps at once & Isabella was up to 3. Pretty impressive. I think you guys will be doing laps around the neighborhood in less than a week. Miles was so cute & just loved sitting with Gradpa Rick & reading all his new books. We got Wyatt a matching foam lightsaber & all the kids went to town on eachother. It was so fun watching you all run in & out of the house. I think daddy, Uncle Noel & Uncle Matt were a little jealous they didn't get their own foam light sabers! Grandma Mary made Noah the most awesome quilt. Now all of the kids have them & will cherish them for years to come!

It was a great Christmas! Thank you Lord for sending your son!