Christmas with the Redfords

This year Kevin's parents joined us at our house the day after Christmas to celebrate. This is the first time I've ever done a holiday at my own home, so it was fun for me to think of creative ways to make it special. Isabelle loves to use our "Chinese" plates for all special occasions, so I knew I would break out the China dishes. That alone makes it pretty, but I found this great idea in my favorite magazine, Family Fun, for candy cane place card holders, so Isabelle & I had fun making those.

The kids added to their playmobil collection which I think between all the grandparents & us was a fantastic idea. They have spent hours creatively playing & enjoying each other with the awesome sets. What a great treat for us all, they are having fun together, and Kevin & I are having quiet time!

Isabelle was thrilled to see her new pink bible cover. We have had a hard time finding a small one for her Bible she uses for BSF. But, good 'ol Parsons, KS had one!! YIPEE!

JM was thrilled with this John Deere truck & trailer w/ skid steer. He says it's just like daddy's.

One of their favorites were these dress up costumes. JM has one Lightning McQueen costume, but needed more "boy" costumes. Kevin didn't like seeing him dress up in princess dresses. They thought these were pretty neat.

Then came the snow. We were glad we had gotten Christmas done with & a little shopping b/c Kevin had to go back to work. The blessings of these snows have been great, but it has been physically exhausting & it was a bit of a bummer since his parents were here to visit. We got about 3 inches this time & the kids quickly got dressed & headed out for fun with their Grandpa. He had the idea to build a fort, so to work they went. They had fun!

A Playdate with a New Playmate

Alek & JM enjoyed filling up connect four & then watching the chips all fall out. Only boys!

We had a very special playdate the day after Christmas. Alek Platter, home from Russia for 1 week came over to play with Isabelle & JM. Isabelle kept saying "I can't wait to see what he looks like in real life." Isabelle has fervently prayed for the Platters over the last 2 years & Lynn has shared pictures & stories with her so it was very exciting that we were getting to play together. JM got him a Jesus Monster Truck for Christmas - and that helped him quickly warm up to JM. Alek loved playing with the kids toys - I think he was in overload to tell you the truth. We are looking forward to many more playdates!

Alek really wanted to try this "bouncy ball" thing, so Kevin tried to help him - he was amused.

Future Bow Hunters

Kevin & I got the kids a new beginners bow. . .they are so excited to practice with it to get ready for when they are old enough to really hunt with their dad & me. Please don't panic - the tips on the arrows are rounded and can't stick into anything except the wet, mushy ground. That's why this is a good bow to practice with and to begin to learn hunters saftey! At lunch Kevin remarked, "Maybe when the kids are older we can take a week long hunting trip as a family". His wheels are really turning!

Christmas Morning

We had a very special 2007 Christmas. Last night, we went to church and came home for the kids favorite dinner - TACOS ( I know, Kevin has reminded me that that isn't a traditional christmas dinner, none the less everyone gobbled it up!) After dinner, Isabelle & JM exchanged the gift they got for each other - it was very sweet. Isabelle got This morning, we all slept until 7:30, and the presents were opened by 8:30am. It was very quick - and they haven't stopped playing yet. Kevin got me a new bow for Christmas so I can go hunting with him - so be on the look out for my first trophy (probably not 'til next fall! :) ) He is pretty excited to get me out on the deer stand. We shall see!

JM is opening the gift Isabelle gave him - 3 new race cars!

The kids constantly want to use my water bottle, so now they have their own!

This was a big hit w/ Isabelle - it is a wooden mailbox, with real mail, stamps, a key, etc. She LOVES to play pretend & this works perfect in her "house"/"store"/"restaurant" in the basement.

Playmobil was the HOT item for both the kids this year. They have thoroughly enjoyed spending hours playing with the different things they've received from us & both grandparents.

P.S. I am making a more traditional sit down dinner tonight & when Kevin's parents come. He really made a stink when we had plain cereal for breakfast & grilled cheese/tomato soup for lunch. I think he was expecting big meals today! Sorry, honey!

Christmas at the Stones

We had a great time opening gifts together at my parents . . . we even had a special visit from Santa. It was a special Christmas also, because it was our first with my niece Olivia - 5 1/2 months old. We stayed up really late opening & playing with gifts, b/c it snowed over the weekend, and Kevin & my dad had to work on Saturday into Sunday. So the kids got LOTS of time to play whil we waited on daddy to finish work, then we headed home for naps all day Sunday. It was a quiet afternoon!

The excitement over Santa couldn't be contained by any of the children!

Olivia really got into ripping the paper. You would have thought she knew what she was doing.

Gingerbread Houses

Our friends the Willis' invited me & the kids over to make gingerbread houses . . . it was a hoot.

look carefully to see JM is putting candy in his mouth, again!

The girls were very detailed, while the boys went for simplicity and well how much icing & candy they could eat. I think JM ate 2 pieces of candy for every one they put on the house. JM was working with Sam Willis - he's 12 and JM adores him. Isabelle worked very hard with Ellie - she is 8, her and Isabelle get along very well. We spent one morning a week with them this summer - the kids played & Jennifer & I prayed together. It was so sweet. The kids developed a cute bond. The Willis kids are so great to put up with kids younger than them, and in Sam's case, MUCH younger.

Their finished projects (notice JM can't keep his hand out of the candy). The boys even look ornery, while the girls have such pride & joy in their work. They were cute!

Thanks for inviting us over guys - we had a blast! Can't wait 'til next year!

The Ramsey Family

We were blessed to have lunch with the Ramsey family from NYC. Kelly & Bonnie went to high school together and have remained very close. They arrived in K.C. to spend Christmas with their family, but took a little time out for lunch with us! We love to spend time with them, just wish we had LOTS more! (Bonnie is holding their oldest, Alister, & Matt is holding Magnolia (7 months old) LOVE YOU GUYS!