Christmas Recap Part II

A long-held favorite family tradition is going to the candlelight Christmas Eve service at church and then hop on the expressway to Northville to spend the evening with the Anderson family. Barb cooked up another delicious meal and we had our usual fun time together. Here are some pix of our evening, for those who were willing to be photographed, and a few on Christmas Day:

Madsy girl got a baby doll from GG...

Collin got an interesting Spider Man night light from GG. 

It was frightening to Gordy but not Collin who is a Spider Man enthusiast :)

Kenzie girl wanted in on the action!

Poor Madsy at the realization there were no more presents to open - ha! 

How happy was I to capture this adorable expression!

McPhails first Christmas as a threesome...

Stephen home for a few days before heading to CUBA for a baseball tournament!

This sweet baby face ~ you talk about a gift!

Sometimes we just save the best for last. These are gifts sent with lots of love 

from New Hampshire for Madsy girl and Collin from Aunt Jannie & Uncle Dave...

They waited VERY patiently for everyone to finish dinner, 

although I'm sure they thought "what's taking them SO long!"

Collin keeping tabs on what was in Madelyn's package :)

 He would get interested in his but never lose interest in hers and vice versa!

This girl never lacks expression or enthusiasm!

Then they both got busy playing... you know it's a winner when it doesn't get set aside but rather they dig right in! Leave it to Aunt Jannie to find winners again!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Christmas Recap Part I

We had a wonderful Christmas! Christmas Eve was breakfast together with the kids and grandkids and opening gifts. There were many 'bell ringers' this year as we like to call them and here are a few captured moments:

The little rascals make it tough to get perfectly staged pictures but I got this one of Madsy with her daddy....

~Collin & Ryan~

The fam - so nice to have everyone together before Ryan had to leave for work!

~Andi & Michael~

Loved Andi's expression once she figured out their gift from Meg & Ryan was a gift certificate for a newborn photo session by our favorite photographer, Lois Pierpont!

They were both super excited!

Ryan's reaction to their new video camera - priceless!

Ha! At first Andi didn't know what was in the box, then realizing they got a video camera too!

I'll be back with more pix from Christmas Eve with the Andersons and Christmas Day pix...

Christmas is...

Earlier this month I would have said Christmas is... coming, I have so much to do. The weeks that followed proved that true. It was hectic, fun, tiresome, GO, GO, GO. In my mind I would say, slow down, remember the reason for the season, don't let it be missed or nothing else that goes along with it matters. I read something by Dr. David Jeremiah that described what Christmas is and wanted to post about it but there was no time. This week my mind has settled. I am peaceful as I head into another busy week with things to do each day and each night but my mind has settled and these are the truths I want to focus on:

Christmas Is...

• Jesus endured a human birth to give us a spiritual birth
• He occupied a stable so we could occupy a mansion
• Jesus having an earthly mother so we could have a Heavenly Father
• He became a slave that we could be free
• He was welcomed at His birth so we could be welcomed by angels at our death
• He came down so we could go up

I am very much looking forward to the Christmas weekend, being with family, opening gifts, eating delicious meals together, visiting, relaxing. I also will be reflecting on the real reason we celebrate Christmas - Jesus was born to do the will of the Father, to die for the forgiveness of our sins, He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. How can we ever say thank you enough.

"For unto us a child is born, unto 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."
Isaiah 9:6