Christmas…Part 2

We keep things really simple for Christmas; we want our kids to have a good time, but we want the focus to be on the Biblical reason we are celebrating!  We have stressed that to them over and over.  That does not mean that we skip presents, but it does mean that we don’t buy and buy and go into debt in the process.  Some gifts were “needs”; others were bought from Craigslist; while others were just for fun because we know they would LOVE it! 

The toothbrush was tickling his tongue and teeth… funny boy!

Opening some stockings from Grampa and Nanna!

Josiah was supposed to PRETEND to be eating his chocolate… but he ate the chocolate AND the foil wrapper!

Grace had a BIG surprise that she had made for Daddy…. she was SO EXCITED to have Daddy open it!  His reaction is classic!

Josiah got Superman PJs and Hannah got Prince Charming and Cinderella!

Grace opened up a leotard for her next present.  She was a little confused about getting what looked like a bathing suit, but we had a little explaining to do.  She was getting this gift so she could go to gymnastics every week!  Once she realized what we were talking about.. she got really excited…… we loved it!

Josiah loved his Superman pajamas with matching hat and mittens… he wore them the rest of the day!  He is SO MUCH like his daddy!

Grace trying out her Skip it from Grampa and Nanna!

Josiah LOVED all of the Legos that we got for him….we got a WHOLE BUNCH on Craigslist for a GREAT price!  Josiah was thrilled!

Hannah’s special gift was Cinderella’s horse and carriage.  She immediately got it out of the packaging and got to playing with it!  She loved how Cinderella and Prince Charming could fit inside!  Our girls will spend hours and hours playing that!

 

There is that Danny smile that Grace gets when she is in LOVE with something….she is totally excited about this watch!  It is water proof and it has a light!  HOW COOL!

The Chase kids exchanged names.  My family got to buy a gift for the NY Chases while Karen had to buy for us.  The funny thing about the exchange is that we got the Chases an ice cream maker and Karen got us THE EXACT SAME ONE!!!  We were all totally excited to use it… and by the way, it makes yummy, yummy ice cream!!  THANKS, AUNTIE KK!!!

Later in the day, Josiah opened his last gift… he got a remote controlled car from Grampa and Nanna!  He loved it… notice the concentration as he drives the car around the living room.  He LOVED crashing into things… especially into mommy!

Even though we were going to be “alone” for Christmas, I still wanted to have a big dinner.  I cooked a turkey, sweet potatoes, corn muffins and green beans!  YUMMY!!  We ALL enjoyed it!

Caleb enjoyed his meal: squash, apple sauce, and rice cereal.  He seems thankful, right?

It was a SUPER day… with SUPER people!  I love this little family more than I could ever say.  They are SUPER special to me.  It is hard to believe that it all started over 15 years ago with two naïve college kids in love!  It was truly a merry Christmas!

For fun…. here are a few pictures that I found from our “new” New Hampshire home in 2003 and then the family Christmas in Chester!  CRAZY… mom with gray hair!  Dad with a beard!  Only Adam has kids!  CRAZY!

AJ… is that a Milloy jersey?

 

Christmas Part 1

On Christmas Eve Danny and I looked at each other and asked, “Whatcha want to do tomorrow?”  I know that it sounds strange.  Shouldn’t there be a long list of traditions that we have? Well, we have almost ALWAYS traveled for Christmas, so staying home with the family is not something we are used to.  We had to make a list of the things that we wanted to do and then make sure we fit them in… with that said we still almost forgot to open the stockings! 

So… here is what we did on Christmas day…. a great day of celebration and family. It was priceless! It was simple! It was relaxing!  It was special! It was what we were hoping for!

We started the morning with reading the Christmas story…right from the Bible… as the kids acted it out with the Fisher Price Nativity Set that we have. 

Then we took a little break to eat cinnamon rolls…a Chase family tradition! YUMMY!  Grace had THREE rolls… its Christmas so that is ok!  :)

I made the kids pose for a few pictures before they dove into their first gift!  We just can’t describe how much we love them and how blessed we feel to have them in our lives… all four of them! Four little gifts that keep on giving to us everyday!

On the move

Caleb's crawling!  I. AM. IN. TROUBLE.

Re-baby-proofing...HERE. I. COME.

Uncle Taties and Auntie Amy

It is no secret that the kids LOVE to spend time with Danny’s brother and sister in law…. who wouldn’t?  They are fun, love to read stories with funny voices, are good snugglers and love spending time with the kids as well!  We got together with them right before Christmas when they were in eastern Iowa visiting Amy’s dad.  Our plans were delayed a little because of a snow storm, but we still had a great time together… and then we went to a hotel to sleep and go swimming!  What could be better than all of that? 

Thanks, Kenny and Amy, for fitting us into your schedule! And Thank you, Chuck, for letting us invade your house!! 

A White Christmas

On the Wednesday before Christmas we got a big snow storm!  Our family was delighted because that meant that Daddy didn’t go to work on Thursday, there was time to play in the snow, we got to drink hot chocolate and we would have a WHITE CHRISTMAS!! YEAH!  All around it was a good thing.  The kids enjoyed helping Daddy shovel the 12+ inches from the deck and then crawling, jumping, and playing in the snow.  Here are some of the pictures of the fun….

Josiah….. Hannah…..  Grace

She is NOT DEAD… this is a snow angel!

Playing snow puppies… are you surprised?

SNOW BUDDIES

And to keep the tradition alive, there was hot chocolate and cookies when they came inside… and boy, did they NEED it!  :)