Christmas Gifts

Yes, we do gifts. We have a budget of $50 per child. Several of the children had their birthday and Christmas budget combined this year. We do not go overboard on gifts...but consider...Twelve people giving Twelve other people one gift each, throw in packages from extended family....and well - it is a LOT of givin'! It is a bit overwhelming for me. I am typically the one who hasn't opened a thing and opens after the hubbub has died down and someone says, "Mom, you haven't opened any gifts". BUT - I do LOVE the spirit of giving, I love the excitement of both the giver and recipient when the "perfect" gift is opened.....

Elves - still working at 2 a.m.

This monkey is a hit with Zander, Mom.

Stacia loved this gift from Jared - we loved knowing what was to come.

My Sweet Krista with a necklace from Arielle.

David received several games (Debbie he says that since hanging out with BreAnne, he's gotten used to photos being taken and it's o.k. for me to take his photo and post on the blog.)

Stacia received a baby horse from Nolan that matches the horse she got last year from Jared.

Stacia presents Jamin with a gift.

What IS Bre thinking?

"Survival" knives from Grandma and Grandpa T.

Mike & I purchased a paint gun for Jamin - our one Black Friday foray...turns out it must have been a returned item...no manual and doesn't work. I hate going back to stores after Christmas. ::snort:: But we shall go as the boys (and Krista) are planning paintball on Sunday.

Arielle - jewelry from Bre

Nolan received batteries from Mom and Dad (us). He KNEW it was his birthday and Christmas gift. We told him it was so he could run his old car. He was brave. He was thankful. THEN Mike brought this package out! Wow. Now we need a calm day because no one in his right mind will take a thing this BIG out to learn on a windy day......and Mike was told to buy insurance in case they run into someone's car. ::snort:: I think this will be a fun Daddy/Son toy....and I think we need to keep our eye out for a BIG field with no CARS. There is a local "RC airplane club" that they may join...but since we will be moving in 6 months - they may not.

Jared received the Lord of the Ring series on CD's for listening at night AND the movies.

I know I already showed Zander....but this set from Bre is a real hit too.

He ASKED for socks.

Ah - the kitchen. She loved it - and did NOT want our helpful suggestions as to how she should play with it. She fixed us all muffins and told me she needs milk in the fridge. Note to self: check fridge each night before bed.

Thanks, Mom. I received a lot of meaningful gifts from family....Gram's and Great Gram's jewelry and box, country sign that I LOVE "Cherish Life's Simple Pleasures", Willow Tree nativity pieces and angels (from my out of the home and soon to be leaving young men), jewelry, calendars... this vase from my Mom & Dad.

There are not photos of Mike opening gifts....because he's a stealth opener....we don't follow the rules, "OK find your gift from Stacia...." as he and I are pre-occupied, so, alas....no photo I can post. The one I did get, I will not post because I think the "wrapping" used by son would offend some. ::snort:: Quit thinking about it.

©2008 D.R.G.

Christmas Story

I have carefully pared down our photos. Still, I don't want to overload with photos. I'm going to do several separate posts...maybe it will be easier on the eyes?

This activity was a WINNER! We acted out the Christmas story. Roles were randomly selected...though JAMIN drew Mary and *I* drew Joseph. I finally agreed to switch when Mike thought it would be distracting to the general story if Jamin was Mary.

Mary was GREAT with child - De'Etta is uniquely qualified to "feel" this role. ::snort::

Finally, Joseph shows a bit of empathy. Josiah was the donkey.

Rather BIG baby Jesus

Angel

Angel with Shepherd

Narrator

Magi - not sure what the sword is about....Arielle was a spitting camel

Ah, Follow the STAR!

Krista - inn keeper; Bre angel; Nolan/Jared - Shepherd; Josiah - donkey; Zander, Jared & David - magi; Arielle - camel; De'Etta - Mary; Stacia - Baby Jesus; Jamin - Joseph

Note to self for next year: This was a fantastic activity but I don't know that we will combine it with our Christmas Morning Reading of the Word next year. Something was lacking. Maybe on an earlier Sunday in Advent.

©2008 D.R.G.

Scavenger Hunt '08

Are you looking for a fun family activity? Would you like some free fun for one of your Christmas Break days?

One of our favorite family activities is a scavenger hunt. We are planning one for Saturday a.m. If you want an idea of the types of things we did in the Great Treasure Hunt of '06 go here. Jared and Krista are currently writing clues. There are rumors of a geocache being incorporated this time. There will be a 2 hour time limit. Each car will have a portable GPS unit (bring one if you have it - we have 3) and a digital camera (again bring one if you have one - I think we have 5). {Note the GPS units will not be used/needed if our organizers decide not to incorporate a geocache.}

We will do this alone - we'll divide into two teams and have a blast. BUT if any local families would like to join us - please contact us.....email, comment or call. We'll meet here at our home at 9:45 a.m. The hunt will begin at 10:00 a.m. SHARP. All will meet back at our home by noon. This will allow time for lunch before Josiah and Jamin have to be at work. We realize this is spur of the moment - but for US this is planning well in advance - it's 2 days out. ::snort:: We would really love to share this event with others, give us a call. Don't feel bad inviting yourselves - we've invited you! ::snort::

Still figuring out lunch - it will either be a pizza feed or a burger burn.....maybe we'll ask you to bring something.... When we hear which families can join us, we'll figure out teams. It was fun dividing our family into two teams...but we easily could be one team. We have two homemade team flags - maybe we can make more OR if your family would like to join us, make a flag or poster board with your team name....you'll pose with it for photos.

Photos of Team A '06 - The Eagles here, here, here and here

Photos of Team B '06 - The "Whare wolves" here, here and here

©2008 D.R.G.

From our family to yours. Isn't this a pretty, old chapel? A new chapel is being constructed. I am proud of the new chapel but will miss this one.

©2008 D.R.G.

It's Christmas Morning - 12:54 a.m.

The turkey is in the oven - check out the recipe in this free Holiday Recipe cook book by Sue Gregg. The young men are over at Josiahs. Nolan stayed up to be able to be the first to say, "Merry Christmas". Mike is putting THIS together in the little boy's room. That allowed them to stay up and be a part of the festivities...but the thought is they'll fall asleep watching....soon?

BTW, this is Stacia's Christmas AND Birthday present and it fell within our budget. I found it online cheaper than what I was finding around town and had it shipped to Walmart for pick up - free shipping. We wanted to get it NOW so that she can enjoy it before all our things are packed up. LOL

Christmas is here...but Mom, here are a few shots for you and Dad from Christmas Eve/Day.

We got ahold of Mike's family today. They are also excited at all the news from our older children this week....and at the possibilities of grandchildren driving down to CA for a weekend. LOL

Played games, wrapped presents, made goodies today.

Chapel candlight service...Stacia checking out the finery.




I couldn't resist a "pew shot" but 5 of us were missing. LOL

We went to see the Christmas Lights on the Concho. Mike would like to go back and walk it with the Nikon and the tri-pod....I didn't bother taking photos with the point and shoot. LOL

Another clue "he who folds the laundry will find it"

Found it...

T-shirts for all

Jamin's says something about living in his own world. LOL

We opened Christmas Stockings....WE did NOT fill them - the kids did fill them. LOL

Jamin got this annoying, noisey monkey for Jared. ::snort::

Chocolate - always a hit around here

Yikes - look at those teeth

Could it be that this is at fault (check out the HAND)

I am hoping these markers will satisfy the artist in Stacia.

Alas, Bre loves them. ::snort:: I'm wondering what tomorrow will look like if 12 stockings made this much mess. LOL

We "ended the night" (though WE are still up) with Mafia. Bre ruthlessly turned on David.

While ARIELLE was the real mafia (I was dead and so took photos).

Cy misspeaks giving away Jamin's identity

I've been informed that "Gram's Cinnamon Rolls" are our traditional Christmas breakfast. Um....I'd forgotten. That means it's after 1:40 a.m. and I need to be up baking to have hot rolls by 8 a.m.

Ummm....I LOVE this man! 1:51 a.m. Mike always tells me to "buy quality" - and this is - but I think the plastic would have been easier to put together.

So......Merry Christmas dear friends and family. It's hard to believe 2008 is nearly over.

©2008 D.R.G.