MERRY CHRISTMAS 2008!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Merry Christmas today!

We had a wonderfully busy, fun, exhausting family-filled Christmas day!!!

**JUST A QUICK NOTE**

Jeromy, Jade and Kenton have all started blogs of their own! The link is located to the right of my blog! The whole family loves Jesus, so don't be suprised to read about him! But check out their blogs, they'd love to get a comment from you!!

Now you people KNOW I have a ton of pictures in this Christmas blog, so you may want to go use the bathroom first, get some coffee, put the kids to bed, what ever you need to do before you get too much further into this blog... ok... ready? Here we go...

First thing this morning we got up a quarter to 5am, we had our little family Christmas with just Jeromy and I and the kids!! This is the second year we have decided to just make things for each other for Christmas. The kids get so much already and I refuse to get into credit card debt this time of year when we all know what the season is really about

JESUS

Anyway, Jade and Kent, being the amazing kids that they are, totally dig this idea. Kent says he doesn't even want anything at all, when he realizes so many people go without anything. But I had to do stocking stuffers...

I had to show you some of the things we made for each other, it's pretty much priceless... Jade cross-stitched for Jeromy and I our wedding date with our names on it...

Then Jeromy has done some stain glass work in the past so he made us the coolest stained glass gifts!! He made me 2 candle holders (I think they're called sconces??) They are diamond shaped mirrors with a purplish glass around the edges... beautiful!!!He also made Jade an incense holder, her other one didn't quite hold all the ashes in the dish, and this one has her infamous green and yellow diamond designed into it with mirrors also!! So cool!!I made Kenton a scarf out of a blue colored yarn that he picked out, and Jade drew Kent up a coupon for one free hour of free video game play. And Jeromy made a coupon good for one free meal at the Noah's Ark Restaurant that Kent LOVES to go to with Jeromy. I think that gift got the BIGGEST smile!!Then we all quickly showered and got ready to head back to the Shelter that has been opened for the homeless during this severe weather we've been having. Our shift today was from 7am till noon. We were the only volunteers for this time. The main guy running came in for a few minutes for the shift turnover. He said his kids had to wait till he got back before they could open presents, he just wanted to make sure we showed up, or the shelter may have needed to be closed. What a great cause. This was such a wonderful experience for us all. There were a couple stressful moments, but we got thru it, and I think we were blessed by the experience.

Then we came home and rested for a little bit. My brother Nick called and we talked for a bit. I don't mention him often, but I think about him ALL the time. I miss him, love him, and am SOO proud of him!!

So then, we headed over to Misty & Dennis'... you know what that means...

Kelsey

Kelsey

Kelsey

Here are some ADORABLE pictures of her...

Had enough Kelsey pictures? I didn't think so either, here's some more....

And if that wasn't enough, here's a little video...

OK, now we'll get into some more group shots of the rest of us...

This is a great one of the older cousins, these are some seriously CUTE kids, I mean just LOOK at them!!! Denny age 10, Jade age 16, Mason age 7, and Kenton age 14...Here's the whole family minus one, and where is the little Angel?

Sleeping in her crib!!!

Dennis and Misty had a great Christmas dinner! And we are stuffed!! Mason even read a great prayer before we ate, good job Mason, I know there were some hard words in that prayer, and it's hard to read when EVERYONE is watching you, but you did GREAT!!! Thanks again Misty and Dennis for a fabulous dinner! It was delicious, and thanks for the yummy left overs, they will be eaten for sure!!!

And I truly thought there's was NOTHING my amazing son Kenton couldn't do. I mean I think he's brilliant, and can do all things pretty awesomely, well... today... I found something my son has "trouble" doing.... singing Karaoke... oh people this is bad, but hilarious! I love him anyway!! I hope he doesn't get mad that I'm dissin' his mad skills....

Then after Misty's, we were going to run by Jade and Kent's other grandma, Grandma Claire. Here are the kids and Claire...

While the kids had a second dinner with Claire, Jeromy and I went over to Grandma Shield's house to visit for about an hour. She twisted my arm to take some candy home, I told her I would if she would take a picture! It was great to see you Christmas day Grandma! We love you!

Now, we are home, and resting after our busy fun day. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and thank Jesus for everything you have!!! Good night!!!