Stockings

Christopher makes me laugh as he got so excited over everything in his stocking!

This is the first morning in a long time that the kids woke me up, so if I don't look awake that's why. The chocolate helps!

Christmas with the Newmans

Opening presents gets a little long so Tim decided to take a nap.
My parents got be an MP3 player. I've enjoyed listening to music as I clean.
Here's Keith's new blanket. It was made by my sister and so much like Keith trying to keep everyone happy. ISU on one side and the Hawkeyes on one side. My kids have both decided to be Hawk fans so they really don't like the ISU side. The best was when Sherry my brother Jeff's wife had the ISU side facing out and someone said wrong side. She said,"No she was just trying to keep the Hawks close to her."

Here is Baby Jael! She liked the taste of this bow the best!
Trevon turns two in March so this was practice for his birthday.
Eli did good watching Treven open his presents even though he wanted a few of them. He did like his presents.
Chris gets so excited about his presents!
Along with this coat for her doll, Beth got her last two "Trixie Beldon" books that she needed to complete the set. She was so excited that she was crying! For those of you haven't heard of "Trixie Beldon" they are books written about a 14 year old girl who solves mysteries.

Christmas Update

We have had a great Christmas Season! God has been so very good to us! Not because we got a great expensive Christmas Present, or we got to see all of our family but because these things remind us that He is with us always and it helping us to grow and become more like him. This year we have had numerous car troubles finally we were down to one car again. A couple in our church allowed us to borrow one of their cars. On Wednesday night Dec. 12 I was sick. Keith called be from church and said I needed to bring that car back to them. When I got to church I was handed keys to a new mini van ! Several people at the church made this possible but mainly a couple who lost their adult son last Christmas time. That truly touched my heart and reminded me that what we may consider tragic God can use for good.
We were able to spend time with my family on the 15th and we will be actually doing Christmas with Keith's family on the 29th. We did get together for my nephew Ben's birthday on the 8th. Also Kevin has been at our house since Saturday and Kent has come for supper and played games a couple of nights!
God has blessed us in our jobs this year. While I really don't want to work outside the home, cleaning house has its upsides. Like I can clean my own house quicker, I have a very understanding boss and really don't have to deal with people. Some of the home owners are home and I enjoy talking with them. I thankful recieved a bonus this Christmas! Keith received his normal bonus, but he also recieved an extra bonus for working hard and one for not calling in sick this year.
We are taking a break from school right now. The kids have been helpful with wrapping and baking!
Well its time for lunch and then we are going to go sledding!

Christmas Angels HA HAA!

Here are my darling Christmas Angels! Our Children's program at church was "Hark the Herald Angel" It is a story of what may have happend in heaven before the birth of Jesus. Since they had the robes for the kids the Children's Choir wore them when they sang as part of our Christmas Celebration.

Christmas Program

For our church Christmas program my kids were angels. Christopher got to change and be a shepherd for this part of the program. Beth got to be a special angel and guard baby Jesus.
Here is Beth with her small singing group.
Here is the whole group Chris is in the second row 4th from the right. Beth is in the back row second from the left. They worked on the program since the end of August during Children's Church. Christopher had really enjoys preforming and singing. He would read the program over at least every other day. It really showed that the kids liked the program and that they had practiced hard.