We rang in the new year...

... with chocolate fondue.

Christmas In Colorado

A few highlights from our Christmas in Colorado (doesn't that just sound nice, Christmas in Colorado?)

Everyone was there, even Grandma--my dad's mom.

The two older kids played beautifully together, as always.

Anna wanted SO badly to be a part of Kellen and Miah's games but was just too little this year.

There was snow on the ground the whole time we were there.

Anna wet her pants during the climax of the beautiful Christmas Eve service. Nice.

My dad planned a beautiful retelling of the nativity Christmas morning, complete with little people toys, scripture, and singing--slightly off key.

Sweet Miah decorated sugar cookies with me--my kids were not interested.

We had the pleasure of listening to the never ending concert from the kids on their new guitars. Mostly singing Tim McGraw's Last Dollar--Fly Away.

Conversation between Grandma and Kellen during the Christmas Eve service:

K--Why is this lasting so long?

G--Because we are singing songs to Jesus to tell him how much we love him and to thank him for coming to earth as a baby.

K--Oh. Well, when you and Grandpa get to Heaven--and then I get there--I'm going to run as fast as I can and come find you.

Games, laughter, and gifts for the adults until 1 in the morning. The next night we had a designated clock watcher. :)

Kellen went on his first tour of the Air Force Academy and saw where Grandpa does ministry.

Way too much yummy food and snacks!

And in Kellen's words, 'I don't want to go home! Why can't I stay here forever?' My thoughts exactly!

Our Christmas Morning

The Christmas Story

Patience

This was the first year that our rule keeping, caution son knew what to do with presents without prompting. Look at him go!

Thank you hugs.

Again, I wish we had been video taping. Anna was precious! As soon as she saw that she was getting a doll she hollered, "A BABY!"

She will be a good mommy!

T and K played with this the rest of the day.

Kids make Christmas so much fun!

Christmas Eve

We celebrated Christmas a week early because we are traveling to Colorado for the 25th. Friday night we opened stockings and ate the traditional appetizer dinner. Kellen was a blast to watch! He was ecstatically excited about every item in his stocking--even the tooth brush and underwear. :) Wish we could have captured his enthusiasm on video. So fun!! Anna didn't really understand what was going on. She spent a lot of time watching her brother and trying to figure out what all the excitement was about.

Pokes!

No, not the Oklahoma State Cowboys, but our Christmas tree. We veered from our trusty Douglas or Frazier fir trees and bought a different breed this year because it was smaller and fit better in our tiny home. We won't do that again!

While researching, trying to figure out what kind of tree we got, I found this information from The National Christmas Tree Association on the Blue Spruce needles. "They are 4-sided and have a very sharp point on the end. It is this point which gives the species its name 'pungens', from the Latin word for sharp as in puncture wound." That about describes our decorating experience. (I later found out from Tandon that we, in fact, got a Scotch Pine. Oh well, it still sounds good, right?)

Needless to say, the kids did not hang any ornaments. Anna would run up to the tree, pretend to touch it, jump back and yell, 'Pokes!' So, this year we don't have cute decorating pictures, but rather, pictures of Anna jumping away from the tree laughing and Kellen making a face. Tandon hung most of the ornaments because it was even to poky for me. Memories were made just the same.

Austin, TX

The kids and I hitched a ride with my parents to Austin to see Mema and the gang. We broke up the trip by spending the night with Aunt Patty. Thanks Patty!!

In Austin we helped with the chores.

Read and played games.

Learned to make funny faces. Gee, thanks Andrea! :o)

Rode on Grandpa's shoulders.

And, most importantly, spent quality time with Mema.

Oh, how I love her! Mema, your strength during this challenging time has been such an encouragement to me. Poppy would be so proud!

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one think I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

Southwest Kansas

Next stop was my grandma's house in Kansas. Tandon stayed for one night and then drove home so he could go back to work. The kids and I stayed with Grandma for a few days until my parents drove through and picked us up on their way to Texas.

While at Grandma's house we decorated the Christmas tree, made pumpkin pie and cookies, watched WAY too much Disney channel, and had races outside in the unseasonably warm weather.

Anna and Grandma bonded over hand lotion every night. :)

Caitlin, this picture is for you. ;) Grandma has a clown also and, of course, Anna loved it. Hahaha!

Super glad for this special time with Grandma. This is the second year in a row that the kids and I have had the opportunity to stay in Kansas with Grandma. Hopefully next year we will be there over pheasant hunting season for the annual hunting trip!

Oklahoma Panhandle

Our trip began at Tandon's parents house in Oklahoma. We ate way too much wonderful food, opened Christmas presents--a little early--, fed the cows, watched Toy Story 3, learned how to make Verenika, made gingerbread cookies, went to church, and the guys even attempted to call up coyotes.

Kellen always has a wonderful time amongst the cows, guns and tractors. Anna enjoyed petting the cats, feeding her new baby, and munching on chex mix.