Christmas Round 1

Naturally, the blanket basket is the perfect place to sit and color a picture. :)

Arnold Rassi Christmas snapshots:

Uncle Caleb entertains the girls with another of his stories

The readers....they looked up when the flash started to go off.

It is hard to tell in this picture, but Lincoln is sprawled out against Aunt Amanda with his feet propped up on the folding chair....to him, life doesn't get any better than books or pictures and Aunt Amanda. :)

Mel Kaiser Christmas snapshots:

Alissa...patiently playing a game with Kate, long after the other girls had run off

Showing U. Brett and A. Tessa their Christmas gifts

Linc sporting Mike's new work gloves - it's a tradition, every year Grandpa Mel gives all the men 3 pairs of work gloves.

As you celebrate Christmas this season, I pray you are able to enjoy it and keep Christ in it, rather than get sucked into the stress and busyness that sometimes comes with the holiday season. Merry Christmas to all!

Conversations with Kate

Another conversation with Kate:

Carmen: Kate, should I make green beans or corn for supper?

Kate: GREEN BEANS!!

30 minutes pass while I finish making supper. She climbs up to the table to see her plate....

Kate: Mommy, thank you so much for making me green beans for supper. I just really appreciate that you listened to me and you were obedient on the first time. Thank you.

Carmen: You're welcome.

If you are wondering, there are very few dull moments at our house. :)

Christmas Outfits

A lot of weekends, Mike will make breakfast for us in the morning. Sunday morning, the kids were both up and wanted to watch him.

It was Kate's first Christmas program for church yesterday, so the kids wore their Christmas outfits to church. Thankfully, there are no embarrassing stories to share about the Christmas program. :)

Kate all ready to go

Festival of Lights

Friday night we went with Dawn and Janet to the Festival of Lights. Even though the kids had been before, they still loved it. I'll try to attach a video.

When we were done looking at the lights, we decided to go out for ice cream. Mike asked Kate if she'd rather go to Culver's or Steak N Shake for ice cream. She said, "Steak N Chicken." A few minutes later, when we were still driving, she said, "Dad, are we almost to Shake N Sticken?" It may be one of those things that you had to be there for, but we all got a good chuckle out of it.

Thanks Dawn and Janet for making time for us and our kids!!

Cookies

The past two years, Mom, Aunt Lisa, and I have made some Christmas cookies together. I didn't get many pictures, but here are a few.

Kate decorating pretzels

Lincoln's decorating .....

Lincoln decorating

Cookies cooling

Where is Lincoln?

The other night we were at my parents house. We had made some Christmas cookies and were cleaning up. All the sudden we couldn't find Lincoln. We searched every room in my parents house and ended up finding him here.....

I have no idea how he got in there, as he had trouble getting back out. :)

In my/our defense, you really couldn't see him at all behind this table.... ornery lil' stink.

Random pic of the kiddos

Birthdays, Christmas Tree, & More

We again enjoyed our time off to be with family over Thanksgiving. We did our annual fondue supper with my parents and Brett and Tessa and then spent Thursday with the Rassi's and Gramm's. Friday morning, we went and got our Christmas tree. The kids loved "helping" cut it down, set it up, and decorate it.

Paul and Nichole, along with their kiddos, Owen and Hannah spent the weekend with us. Owen and Kate got along really well.

Lincoln wearing Nichole's shoes

Saturday morning we celebrated Rassi birthday's. Aunt Amanda was a willing reader and soon had a lap full. :)

Some pics of our finished tree

Owen and Kate

The 4 kiddos before church