christmas 2013

christmas this year was a vast improvement over last year. last year, noodle, burrito and i were sick.  we all had fever, felt terrible, and were quarantined from the family get-together.  we stayed home and ate frozen pizza.  the only plus was that it snowed.

this year we were on high-alert when it came to washing hands and using hand sanitizer.  we did not want to miss out on christmas again (not to mention we want a healthy baby!).  avoid germs we did and we had a lovely time celebrating christmas at my parents' house (which was my grandparents' house) along with 18 other family members.

it was especially fun celebrating with a baby in the house!  first up is christmas eve with john's parents via skype.  uncle daniel was here with us but somehow eluded my camera.  here are some of my favorite pictures...

the brothers

santa brought me a baby this year!

an aggie football from nonna

a horned frogs football from nonna

chipping net and golf balls from daniel

legos and a gift card from uncle daniel

salsa got a new sleep sack to stay warm in at night

our traditional christmas eve pajamas...i was so happy to hear burrito squeal with glee that they were all matching. i was a little afraid that he might have thought he was too old for this.  made my heart happy!

our advent tree

our new skinny christmas tree with revolving tree stand!

 then came christmas morning!

they were the most excited about these socks!

salsa did not know what to think about presents

 then it was on to mimi's and poppy's house!

my sister gave salsa this charlie brown doll and onesie of charlie brown's shirt!

we thought it was funny that the present was bigger than the baby!

the theme this year was legos, sports and college teams!  it is so fun to me to look back and watch how the boys' tastes have changed with age.

this season was super sweet to us.  we think it was a combination of adding salsa to the family, our advent readings, and being home A LOT and not being overly busy.  i love my sweet boys and my sweet Jesus whose birth we celebrate.

advent reading day 25...He's here! Merry Christmas!

advent reading day 25

And there in the stable, amongst the chickens and the donkeys and the cows, in the quiet of the night, God gave the world his wonderful gift.  The baby that would change the world was born.  His baby Son.

scripture reading: the birth of Jesus, from luke 2, JSBB pgs 182-191, 198*

symbol: baby Jesus!

*we are using the jesus storybook bible by sally lloyd-jones for our kid-friendly readings
_____________________

merry christmas from our home to yours!

advent reading day 24

advent reading day 24

Suddenly the star they had seen in the East started moving again, showing them the way.  So the three Wise Men followed the star out of the big city, along the road, into the little town of Bethlehem.

scripture reading: the King of all kings: the story of the three wise men, from matthew 2, JSBB pgs 192-197*

symbol: the three wise men and the star

*we are using the jesus storybook bible by sally lloyd-jones for our kid-friendly readings

4 months!

salsa you are 4 months old! we are loving this new stage of life with you.  you are all smiles, especially when your big brothers are around and you are even giggling some too!  you are experimenting with your voice and we are loving all your new sounds.  it is so funny to watch your face and mouth as you concentrate so hard in making all your different sounds.  we especially love the happy cooing you make after you've eaten and are just satisfied with life.

your first snow (ice) day...your dad loves this picture

you are finally happy to ride in the car and we are all so thankful!  you can now get individual fingers in your mouth and your thumb and pointer seem to be your favorites.  if you are not eating or sleeping, you've got your hands or fingers in your mouth at all times. 

ice day with your brothers

you are a real pro at rolling over from your belly to your back.  in fact, you're so good at it now that we can't seem to keep you on your tummy anymore.  you still haven't quite figured out rolling from your back to your belly but you are getting close.

thing 1, 2 and 3 in Latin, a gift from one of dad's students

you love your baby einstein play gym still and you often talk to your "morning friends," while mommy takes a shower.  you also now appreciate your bouncy seat more because you can reach the toys on the toy bar and we've added some extra toys to keep it interesting.  you still love your owl blankie and little crinkly book the most in the car.  you've mastered grabbing toys and holding onto them and then sticking them in your mouth.

you are sleeping through the night more often now and it almost feels wrong to not wake up in the night with you.  you still are not a great napper...there is something about the 40 minute mark that you just can't get past. 

salsa you are my miracle baby and oftentimes i hesitate to say that because it sounds very melodramatic but i know that it is true.  we read that 95% of babies with your presentation of situs inversus has a heart defect but you are part of the 5% that don't!  that is a miracle!  we are so grateful God preserved your life and made you special and healthy!

advent reading day 23

advent reading day 23

Now Mary and Joseph had to take a trip to Bethlehem, the town King David was from.  But when they reached the little town, they found every room was full.  Every bed was taken.

scripture reading: the journey to bethlehem, from luke 1 and 2, JSBB pgs 180-181*

symbol: a scroll, representing the census that was taken

*we are using the jesus storybook bible by sally lloyd-jones for our kid-friendly readings

advent reading day 22

advent reading day 22

So Mary trusted God more than what her eyes could see.  And she believed.  "I am God's servant," she said.  "Whatever God says, I will do."

scripture reading: mary and the angel, from luke 1-2. JSBB pgs 176-179*

symbol: an angel

*we are using the jesus storybook bible by sally lloyd-jones for our kid-friendly readings

advent reading day 21

advent reading day 21

But God sent John to tell his people something important: "Stop running away from God and run to him instead," John said.  "You need to be rescued.  I have good news -- the Rescuer is coming!"

scripture reading: the story of john the baptist, from matthew 3, luke 1 and john 1, JSBB pgs 200-203*

symbol: a shell, a traditional symbol for baptism

*we are using the jesus storybook bible by sally lloyd-jones for our kid-friendly readings

advent reading day 20

advent reading day 20

It had taken centuries for Gods people to be ready, but now the time had almost come for the best part of God's Plan.

scripture reading: get ready! God's people return from being slaves, from nehemiah 8-10, malachi 1, 3, and 4, ezra 7, JSBB pgs 170-175*

symbol: a party hat, to celebrate all the Lord had done

*we are using the jesus storybook bible by sally lloyd-jones for our kid-friendly readings

advent reading day 19

advent reading day 19

Many years later, God was going to send another Messenger with the same wonderful message.  Like Jonah, he would spend three days in utter darkness.

scripture reading: God's messenger: jonah and the big fish, from jonah 1-4; hebrews 1:1-2, JSBB pgs 160-169*

symbol: the big fish

*we are using the jesus storybook bible by sally lloyd-jones for our kid-friendly readings

advent reading day 18

advent reading day 18

God would keep on rescuing his people.  And the time was coming when God would send another brave Hero, like Daniel, who would love God and do what God said -- whatever it cost him, even if it meant he would die.

scripture reading: daniel and the scary sleepover: daniel and the lion's den, from daniel 6, JSBB pgs 152-159*

symbol: daniel and the lions

*we are using the jesus storybook bible by sally lloyd-jones for our kid-friendly readings

advent reading day 17

advent reading day 17

God had a special job for Isaiah.  You see, Isaiah's job was to listen to God and then tell people what he heard.  Now, God let Isaiah know a secret.  God was going to mend his broken world.  He showed Isaiah his secret rescue plan.

scripture reading: operation "no more tears!": the rescuer will come, prophecies from isaiah, JSBB pgs 144-151*

symbol: a crown, representing the king to come

*we are using the jesus storybook bible by sally lloyd-jones for our kid friendly readings