Gran & Granddad

Over the past few days, Ayden played with his grandparents from Maryland (Bryan's parents).

First Christmas

Ayden's first Christmas went relatively smoothly, which is more than can be said for Christmas Eve night.  Ayden didn't sleep well, which meant nobody slept well.  So, the first thing we did as a family on Christmas was take a nap.  Eventually, Ayden got around to "opening" his presents.  He was so tired, even with a morning and afternoon nap, that we had to do it in two spurts.  Allison and I didn't get him much because he's a baby and doesn't know what's going on anyways, but you'll see below that we did pretty well with the few things we did get.  He's a big fan of the tambourine type things and, of course, his new Perry the Platypus stuffed animal.

Also, while Ayden didn't get his "two front teeth" for Christmas, I did notice yesterday that his first tooth has finally broken through.

Merry Christmas to YOU!

JOY

FAMILY

GRATITUDE

LOVE

MERCY

SON

PRAYER

PRAISE

FAITH

SMILES

HEART

SACRIFICE

GIFT

MIRACLE

HOME

Jordan Elam took these gorgeous photographs. Thank you, Jordy! We love you!

Tidings of GREAT JOY!

In Charles Schulz's A Charlie Brown Christmas, Charlie Brown is overwhelmed by the commercial nature of Christmas and doesn't understand why Christmas is celebrated. He proclaims to his friends, "Is there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?" In a moment enveloped in theme music and special lighting, Linus quotes from Luke 2: 8-11:

"And there were, in the same country,
shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night.
And, lo! The angel of the Lord came upon them,
and the glory of the Lord shone round about them.

And they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them,
'Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, 

which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day, 

in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."

God sent His only Son to live and die among us so that we could enjoy Him forever. Today we celebrate the Savior born for all of us. "Joyful, all ye nations, rise!"

Ms. Carolyn, thanks for my interactive book!

The Moment You Have All Been Waiting For...

JUDE AND AYDEN!
(We did NOT position the boys' hands for any of these shots!)

Our families are celebrating miracles this Christmas!
Happy Eve!