Family Christmas

This year we celebrated Christmas with Josh's side of the family at his sister's house. It was very low key and relaxing. The kids had a great time playing with their gifts. Of course, my husband always has to find something to get the kids riled up. Nothing like a game of lasso during the middle of a Christmas celebration.

Foster is about to be hogtied here. Look at the line forming. Who needs expensive gifts when you have a rope?
No one was injured during the making of this image.

Hannah, Meredith and Lake received a Wii from Grandpa and Grandma. We have had a lot of fun playing the different games.

Random Post While I Have Time

Ok, so this post is going to be very random. I have been so busy lately, that finding time to upload pictures and actually write something about them has been nearly impossible. School is out for winter break and I am trying to catch up on as many things as possible. Today I managed to make it to the post office, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, JCPenney's, McDonald's and an oil change. In between I am trying to catch up on laundry and get some baking done. I think our house is just going to have to be a mess for one day longer. Enjoy the pictures, I'll attempt a narrative for them while time allows.

Our attempt at a Christmas card. Lake loves to pull Merdi's hair. I actually went ahead and used it for the card. No use in staging something!
Our Christmas Tree. The bottom of the tree has to be free of ornaments since Lake thinks everything is a ball these days.

Isn't Merdi just the prettiest little girl? I love her blond hair with dark brown eyes. She had a Christmas program at school and she wanted to look 'beautiful'.

Santa at the winery. What more could a mom ask for? If only Santa could come home with me!

Christmas with the Silvernail's this past weekend. The kids received such awesome gifts. It was so nice to spend time with family.

Lake loved his new Rocket Flyer. Isn't Aunt Jodi so pretty?

Merdi in her new pajamas. Can you tell she likes them?

Not sure what to do with all of the Christmas photos you receive? Punch holes in them and decorate a small tree or two.

Have you been to this blog:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/

I recently bought her cookbook and love the recipes. Seriously, should meatloaf look this good, even before it is cooked?

A Beautiful Soul

This past weekend my family visited my sister Julie at the Shrine in Alabama to celebrate her 29nd birthday. This was also her one year anniversary in joining the monastery. Julie is such a sincere, sweet young lady. She believes whole heartily in her calling and you can just see the passion in her when talking. The first time I went to visit Julie, I had many reservations about her joining a cloistered monastery, but I have come to realize that it has nothing to do with me. This is her choice and what she is called to do. If she hadn't wanted me to get married or have children, as I feel called to do, I would have thought she was nuts. So, who am I to judge what someone else wants to do with their life. We were able to have some great conversations and I was glad to see that she just seemed so "normal" for lack of a better word. She is the Julie I have always known, just a little more driven to spread God's message. I also was able to attend a very moving Latin Mass at the Shrine and join the nuns in praying the rosary. It was a great opportunity to reassess where I am in my faith and where I am leading my children in theirs. All in all, the twenty hours of driving in three days was well worth it!

Jeff, Sister Julie and I visiting

Hannah, Sister Julie and I

This picture does not even begin to show how beautiful she is. Plus, you should hear her sing!

Happy Birthday Sister Julie!

My mom and dad drove from Florida to visit. My dad is so proud and my mom is getting used to the idea. It is hard for her to see Julie behind the iron work.