Christmas, Part II, DSLR Edition

We had a lovely Christmas celebration with my family and enjoyed the extended McKinneyfamily get-together as well as time with my parents, Daniel and Kimie, and Heather and Justin.These are a few more highlights from our Christmas weekend. See if you can pick out whichwere taken before I got my new 50mm camera lens and which were taken after ;)

Sweet pic of my grandparents.

Our family at Christmas Eve service.

When we arrived home, Christmas Eve dinner was ready (perfect occasion for a crock pot!), and Santa had come! We opened presents and played a while after dinner before heading to bed... and sleeping in on Christmas morning!

Nonnie helping Abby unwrap her Elmo book.

Abby, her Mommy, and her new puppy.

My little Fire Chief put out some serious fires on Christmas Eve.

A highlight of any trip to Dallas is bedtime stories with Nonnie and Papa. Jonathan wrapped up Christmas Eve with stories like, Even Firemen Hug Their Moms.

Christmas Day meant Christmas stories, some play time with aunts and uncles, a nice Christmas dinner, and then hitting the road for naptime on I-45.

Aunt Heather was a human jungle gym, keeping munchkins entertained while lunch was prepared.

My little toddler, always ready for a snack, got in at least 5 meals a day thanks to her ever prepared Nonnie.

Papa and Jonathan talked through the Christmas story as they set up the manger scene.

Abby and Jonathan listened while Papa read Christmas stories.

See the way little Lucy looks at her uncle Justin? Kids ADORE this guy!

Isn't she beautiful!?

We enjoyed a nice Christmas lunch at my parents' house, with Grandma and Grandpa, Daniel and Kimie, Heather and Justin, and the kids. Ham, creamed spinach, broccoli cheese casserole, and biscuits made for a yummy meal.

And family made for a fun visit and nice conversation.

Since the kids' best understanding of a birth day celebration is the birthday parties they've attended, we've started making cupcakes to celebrate Jesus' birth.

My mom got some really nice pics of me with the kids this weekend, including these with Jonathan making cupcakes, and the one with Abby in front of the Christmas tree above.

We sung Happy Birthday, and while Jesus certainly could have blown out his own candles, Jonathan helped.

Abby and Grandpa feed the baby puppy.
Jonathan and his treasured grader.
Soon, the grader was set to work at the construction site out back. I couldn't believe it... my father created a full construction site, complete with a home-made crane and a broken-pipe project. Jonathan and his cousins took great delight in working hours at a time at the construction site.
Abby was eager to lend a hand and quickly grabbed a shovel and set out digging.

We were pleasantly surprised to arrive home early enough to sit down to dinner together, and even enjoyed a few rounds of evening Christmas carols at the table before getting kids ready for bed and unpacking.

Christmas, Part I, iPhone Edition

Merry Christmas! We have spent a wonderful 4 days in Dallas with my parents and are now headed home. A few iPhone pics from our holiday weekend...





Out shopping with Nonnie and Mommy





Playing with cousin Kara





Trying on a fireman's hat while visiting our friends





Abby with her Papa






On the way to Christmas Eve service





Napping in the car on Christmas Eve





At Christmas Eve service























Santa came while we were at church! A construction vehicle for Jonathan and a baby doll cradle for Abby











Jonathan working at the construction site his Papa created





Cousin Lucy cuddling with Grandma





Abby with her Aunt Kimie

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

He floats!

After the terrifying experience of seeing my son face down in a pool this summer, I enrolled him in a more intensive swim class. They first teach kids to roll onto their backs and float when they fall into a body of water, and then move on to teaching swim strokes. While Jonathan was only in that pool for a few seconds after walking into it by accident this summer, before I turned around and jumped in behind him, the experience scared the living day lights out of him and his parents. It was so reassuring today to watch him pass his third and final "float test." His teacher threw him into the middle of the pool wearing a long sleeve shirt, sweat pants, socks and tennis shoes. No one can touch or speak to him, and he's to roll into his back and float for 5 minutes, then get out of the pool when he gets to the edge. I'm amazed at how calm he was with the water lapping up at his face and getting in his mouth. He did it! Now he moves in to the next class to learn to swim across the pool.

On the downside, his award includes a cow bell much like the one they ring when the kids reach the end of their test. Imagine having a three year old in your house with a new cow bell. Now turn the volume up a notch. Ring the bell just a little more. Ok, there... Now you have it.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Polar Express!

We had the most wonderful trip to the North Pole with our friends the Barrs this weekend, aboard the Polar Express.

A real steam engine! We can't wait to get on board!

We even got to see the train conductor while we waited to board the train.
All aboard!

A view of the train station from the window.

The boys eagerly held their tickets for the conductor to come by and stamp.

There were cookies waiting at each of our seats!
Soon, there were people dancing up and down the aisles of the train and we were all served big mugs of hot chocolate! The Christmas ornaments hanging from the ceiling swung back and forth as the train chugged down the tracks towards the North Pole.

Abby sat in her Daddy's lap on the way to the North Pole, enjoyed lots of attention, and gave lots of kisses!
Jonathan and Nathaniel looking out as we approach the North Pole. Santa waved at us from the North Pole. Then, he boarded the train to visit with the children.

Jonathan watching as Santa to made it down the train aisle towards us.

The boys were delighted to meet Santa and each received a jingle bell, just as in the Polar Express story. Check out the expression on Jonathan's face!
Jonathan was tickled with his jingle bell and shook it all through the rounds of Christmas Carols we sang on the return trip.
Abby was delighted with her bell, too, and jingled it enthusiastically!

We can't wait to go back next year.

Merry Christmas!