Our Christmas fun!

As always on Christmas Eve we have pizza and root beer floats. We decided to make our own this year and I had gotten a awesome pizza crust recipe from some good friends, it was sooo good!

After pizza and floats we open a few presents from the Ashbocker cousins, friends and new PJs from dad and mom.

Here are the girls in there new PJ's!

This Christmas was fun! We didn't do a whole lot, just a few gifts. But it was still fun!

Can't tell Jake is a little surprised and excited that Santa brought an XBox to our house can you???

Grace didn't really want a whole lot, but Santa brought her some new Zhu Zhu stuff!

Bekah got this Frosty the Snowman from her Aunt Deana & Cousin Sara, she loves it!

I love this picture! What a ham!

We had a nice quite, fun Christmas. We missed all our wonderful family, but look forward to next year when we can all get together! And we can't wait for a white Christmas next year!!!

We are so thankful for all we have been blessed with this past year and look forward to a year filled with family and fun! We are thankful for Christ and all he did and continues to do for our family.

We hope everyone had a Christmas filled with love and fun!

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year!

My sweet, sweet Bekah-boo!

We celebrated Rebekah's 4th birthday on the 21st! It is hard to believe she is 4 already! She is such a joy to have around! She is always making someone laugh and spreading lots of love. She is growing fast and trys so hard to keep up with her big brother and sister! She is sometimes too smart for her own good! She loves going to play group and helping around the house and at the school. She is always on the go and looking for new things to try, whether mom and dad think she should or not! She is my trouble maker! In a sweet and loving way! She loves playing with friends and making new ones too! And she would talk your ear off if you let her! She brings a smile to everyone around her!

Bekah is such a joy to have in our family! I think we would all be lost without her! Her sweet spirit and personality add so much to our lives! We love her so much and hope she had a great birthday!

Happy Birthday Bekah! We love you so much!

My Favorite Christmas Poem

The Stranger

At Christmas time there was a man who looked so out of place

as people rushed about him at a hurried sort of pace.

He stared at all the Christmas lights, the tinsel everywhere,

the shopping center Santa Claus, with children gathered near.

The Mall was packed with shoppers who were going to and fro,

some with smiles and some with frowns and some too tired to go.

They rested on the benches or they hurried on their way,

to fight the crowd for purchases to carry home that day.

The music from the stereo was playing loud and clear

of Santa Claus, and snowmen, and a funny nosed reindeer.

He heard the people talk about the good times on the way,

of parties, fun and food galore, and gifts exchanged that day.

"I'd like to know whats going on," the man was heard to say,

"There seems to be some sort of celebration on the way.

And would you tell me who this is, all dressed in red and white?

And why are children asking him about a special night?"

The answer came in disbelief, "I can't believe my ear!

I can't believe you do not know that Christmas time is here;

The time when Santa comes around with gifts for girls and boys,

when they're asleep on Christmas Eve, he leaves them books and toys."

"The man you see in red and white is Santa Claus, so sly.

The children love his joyful laugh and twinkle in his eye.

His gift packed sleigh is pulled along by very small reindeer

as he flies quickly through the air, while darting here and there."

"The children learn of Santa Claus while they are still quite small.

When Christmas comes, he is the most important one of all!!!"

The stranger hung his head in sorrow, he closed a nail-pierced hand.

His body shook in disbelief, He did not understand.

A shadow crossed his stricken face, his voice was low but clear.

"After all these years, they still don't know,"

And Jesus shed a tear.

I read this poem every year in our 24 days of Christmas book. Every year it makes me cry. It touches my heart so much. I am thankful for Christ. All he did for me , my loved ones and friends. I hope that we all remember the real reason we celebrate this holiday. And pass along to our little ones the true meaning and traditions of the season.

That boring???

Am I really as boring as I am appearing to be??? I know I don't live a fancy life full of intrigue, but I have cute kids! I stay busy and have a few things to say every now and then. Oh, well. Here's to being boring!

A little behind...

So life has been a little busy! So here I am now, trying to catch up on life. Between football, cheer leading, Cub Scouts, play group, work and just life, I haven't had time to do much blogging, so here I am. As always, I like to let pictures tell the story!

 Jake playing football

Grace in the front, cheering away!

Jake tackling (#48)

Grace on the front, left, during her cheer Show-Off

Grace holding her metal from Show-off

Bekah Cheering at the Show-off

Jake got his Duty to God Knot in Cub Scouts

Grace, Bekah & I made a bow holder for all there hair bows, I think they have to many!

Jake made the All-Star team again this year, they played over Thanksgiving (#28)

Dustin with the girls, watching the Thanksgiving Day game Jake played

Everyone after the game

Dustin throwing Grace for her to cheer

Dustin throwing Bekah

And this brings us to now! I was a little slow and reluctant to get out all the Christmas decorations, I just didn't feel like it. But I made myself pull the boxes out and start, and the kids excitement rubbed off on me and I was brought back to the magic of Christmas. Their excitement and joy filled our house. That is what makes the season special.

I got to set up my Christmas Decor! I love my Nativity Set!

This is the kids tree this year. It is starting to get over run!

This is our tree.

We went with the old fashion theme this year.

As we have been preparing for and stressing over Christmas again this year, we have decided that it would be nice to just skip over it all next year! Where has Christ gone in Christmas? It is suppose to be simple and filled with love, laughter and fun. Do we really need all the things we get? Do we really need to spend all the money to show we love or care about others? We are on a mission to find a simpler, more affordable way to do Christmas. Any ideas are welcome! Next year, we are going simple.