St Nick's and decorating our Christmas tree...

We've decided to celebrat St Nick's w/ Emma since we're not doing Santa on Christmas Day. Ben and I really want to emphasize Jesus on Christmas because He's the reason we celebrate; throw Santa in there and it can get confusing. Ben never celebrated Santa when growing up, his family actually made a birthday cake for Jesus and sang to Him. I really want to make that a tradition for our family. My parents would say gifts are from Santa, but I don't think I ever really believed. I'm excited to focus on Truth, especially during this season. We're still decorating and giving gift, but focusing on the best gift of all: JESUS! While decorating the tree (Emma helped this year), she found her Tinkerbell ornament and wouldn't let us put her on the tree. We have video of her running away and saying "no Tinkerbell on tree". Shortly after this, she dropped Tinkerbell and her leg broke off. We had to glue her back on and she's now on the tree, safe from Emma's grasp.

Playing outside in the snow

Emma LOVES playing in the snow! It's been so cold here though, well pretty much everywhere else too! We've taken her out a couple of times. Her gloves don't stay on, so we next time we need to duct tape them around her hands. Hopefully we'll be able to make a snowman before winter is over...if it warms up! There are a couple of family photos that we took for our Christmas cards...enjoy!

Overdue Update...November 2008

We went to WI for Thanksgiving and spent time with our families. We had a blast! It was great to see Emma playing with her cousin and not getting as frustrated. They sat on the stairs and read, as well as twirled in the other room. We'd all of a sudden her giggling and a crash; they got so dizzy they would fall over. Ben and I went to the shooting range with Ben's sister and her husband. It was quite the experience! I affectionately called the gun I liked "easy squeezy" because you didn't have to pull the trigger to hard for it to fire; if we ever get a gun, I'd get one like that. (Don't worry, no one needs to be afraid yet, I'll get more accustomed to shooting before ever owning a gun.) Then we spent time in Brown Deer w/ my dad and Maryann. (No pictures) We got to see Maryann's daughter and her little guy. Emma and Matteo got a long great! It's nice to see Emma getting along with kids younger than her...who knows when number 2 will be coming. (Wink Wink). Then we spent time with my mom; Emma loves going to Grandma's because she always gets presents, even when it's not Christmas or her birthday. Grandma Karen is a spoiler, but no harm in a little pampering now and then. All in all it was a great visit!

Emma reading her books on the floor!

Ben was obsessed with the fire

Me and my husband w/ his "No shave November" mustache

Emma loved spending time w/ Anahi!

Attempt at a Christmas Picture...Emma was not excited

Erica and I waiting for our turn w/ the gun!

Ben being BA!

I mean business...don't mess with me!

Ben's friend Patrick...he's in Iraq (be praying)

Coloring w/ Grandma