Joy to the world, the Lord is come

I've decided to try to blog a little more frequently to ease the overwhelming task of once monthly. We'll see how it goes ;)

Sharing some photos of our truly joy-filled Christmas. We give all praise and glory to our newborn King, Jesus Christ.

Lydia sits on Santa's lap for the first time at preschool. I'm not sure she really "got it" but she liked him and loved the candycane filled with Sweettarts that he gave her. At one point during the month prior to Christmas Lydia came to us, visibly distressed, exclaiming, "Daddy, Santa didn't tell me what I want for Christmas! I don't know what I want!" ;) We then had the opportunity to reiterate the true meaning of Christmas, the greatest gift, Jesus, our Savior.


Christmas eve trip to "Tiny World", a little piece of Americana

A fire warming our lives as the love of the baby Jesus warms our hearts on Christmas morning

Presents!

Daddy showing off his gifts.

The kids having a blast with Toby's new "choo choo" track set. Since then he's been really into "ramps" running cars and trains down them over and over and over again...


A Christmas morning family photo

Tobes decide to escape and then longed to return to his family...

...REALLY badly!

Lots of reading happening on Christmas day. Cherishing these moments...



Family photo after Christmas dinner.

Unfortunately the ice prevented Mark's parents & Aunt M from joining us (and prevented us from worshipping on Christmas Day). Two big disappointments. We are thankful, though, that everyone was safe and sound.

Mark modeling my cousin's Snuggie during our trip to Johnstown on the "Feast of Stephen"

Toby showing the fam how he does "TWO!"

Great Aunt Judy reading her gift to Toby

"Princess Lydia" showing off her new tutu that Aunt Laura made for her Christmas gift and her new jewelry from Aunt "M". A rockin' visit to Rockville for all. :)

Cousin group hug

And here's the missing cousin (she was eating dinner when this photo was taken). It was a year ago on Christmas eve that this darling girl received a heart transplant at Johns Hopkins. What an amazing testimony of the Lord's faithfulness and goodness her life is! We love you, sweet Ally!


More cousins!

Lydie and Tobes got their first "American Girl" dolls - the Bitty Baby twins!
Toby loves to point out the "eyes". He really loves dolls (in case I haven't mentioned that before.)


Thanks Great Aunt Vic and Great Uncle Eric!

Rachey got a Christmas dolly too!

What a cRaZy crew!

"I can love because God loves me
I can give because God gave
Jesus' love is why I'm smiling
Why I'm giving every day..." ~VeggieTales