glimpse

christmas morning dawned rainy and cold.  we were just glad that the storm had finally let up.  all night long the 60mph winds whipped around the house and downed trees and limbs all around us.  it made for a fitful night’s sleep.  nevertheless the children awoke bright eyed and ready…all except for elise who couldn’t find her smile for a time, though i think she found in under the tree!

stockings first!

(this is elise’s twin doll - another doll just like this was sent to a little girl in zimbabwe whose family has been affected by aids.  a sweet way to remind us of others)

the spoils.

evan really, really wanted a video game that his friend, chad has…he thought i had forgotten.

big hugs for grandmama for the bitty baby ballet costume.

an airsoft gun.  dad’s choice, not mine, but it made for a very pleased boy.

we’ve been reading raggedy ann this year, and elise had gotten quite enthralled with this little rag doll.  they are great stories highlighting kindness toward others.  i highly recommend them.

money, money, money!  …from grandan.

everyone got new clothes.

emilie was lost all afternoon in AG world.  she received a dresser to keep all her doll clothes and treasures in.  so i guess it was a good thing that she brought alllll of their things…a good thing this time anyway!

by mid-day the weather was clearing a bit, and we all went into town to a little restaurant and had a late lunch.  though i felt guilty going out on christmas day, everyone was more than pleased with the arrangement…almost everyone ordered something light because of all the eating we had been doing!   it made christmas for me much more relaxed and enjoyable.

we ended the night singing happy birthday to Jesus and praising God for his indescribable gift.