2008 Family Christmas Get Together

We had lots of fun... and SURPRISES. Our first BIG surprise was Ellie's news that she's going to be a BIG SISTER. Don't really think it has sinked in with her but we can't wait to welcome a new face next year. Mama is good and thinks her due date is August.

Ellie was so much fun to watch! She was very much into Hannah Montana & Camp Rock. She got a pretty bicycle too! She's spoiled rotten but we love her. (Oh yeah, I guess we are the "spoilers")

Christmas Eve was at Nana & Papa Cummins, Christmas morning at Grandma & Grandpa Miller's and then the family Christmas dinner at our house.

I'm still recooperating from the festivities today and haven't left the house. Have almost got the 500 piece Harley Davidson jigsaw puzzle together but will have to pencil in some time for the 1000 piece, 3 foot Harley. (Does someone know I have a Harley?)

Love all my cool presents, although everybody did too much and we're going to rethink our plan next year.

Thanks so much to everyone for all the nice things, good food and fellowship!!

favorite photo of the day!

Had to share this one from church today. Little Sammy & Lee realized they both had the same boots on so they stopped for a quick photo shoot. Sammy LOVES his boots and his Daddy said he doesn't know what they're going to do when he outgrows them. (They will be buying MORE...haha)

is there anything cuter than a preschool program?

Ellie's preschool had their Christmas program this week. Her class were all Elves and the older class were Santas. They sang some songs and were as cute as they could be. Afterward, another surprise visit from SANTA. Now, you know we are not real crazy about Santa, although her letter did get sent. Based on the order that the children were sitting up front made Ellie the first child to sit on his lap. Guess the peer pressure was too much because she sat on his lap without an argument, but if you look at her face while she's on his lap, you can pretty much read her thoughts. haha She told Mama, "I told Santa what I wanted (Jonas Brothers necklace and jewelry) but he gave me something else (coloring book). Go figure... haha
Although where I sat, I could just get a glimpse, her Mom took some pretty good shots from the sidelines, and here they are!

whoopie cushion anyone?

Had our church program and Christmas party Saturday the 6th. What a super turnout! 50 people in our small church was getting close to maximum capacity! The children did such a nice pageant celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. My vote for the big star of the night goes to little Sammy, who was our smallest shepherd at 2 and couldn't have done better. Lots of thanks to Barb for all the work she does in ministering to our kids.

Had a big SURPRISE visit from the big red guy and everybody got to tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Ellie is still Santa shy and will not touch him. She did tell me today though next year, when she's five, she'll be old enough to sit on Santa's lap. (we'll see haha)

The big big hit of a gift to all of the kids, goes to Deby H., who introduced a bunch of little munchkins to whoopie cushions. Talk about laughing children... we had them!!
Ornament exchange and then to the good stuff... ALL THAT YUMMY FOOD.

It was a perfect night.

Ellie made Christmas Cookies!

Ellie made her contribution to the church party Saturday night. She decorated cookies and had lots of fun. They were so easy too! Oreo has a new "seasonal" cookie that are Pepermint flavored. Melt a bag of chocolate chips and a Tbl of Crisco, dip them and sprinkle them pretty. DONE!

We also went to Joplin today and picked up her Christmas dress and then she talked me in to going to Toys 4 Us (that's what she calls it) and we played with the Thomas the Train set, looked at bicycles and checked out the world famous Hannah Montana, Ellie's very good friend.