Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Last night Hud and Han hosted a little birthday party for Jesus. We invited several of their friends over and had a great time celebrating Christ's birth!

They all got to frost and decorate their own cupcake, and each one had a candle.

For the craft, they made little mangers out of popsicle sticks, wrapped Baby Jesus in strips of cloth and glued him into the manger. We added hangers so that they could be ornaments.

We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and they blew out the candles on their cupcakes. They loved their personal sodas, and horse party hats that Han (of course) picked out.

Probably the most fun event of the whole evening was when they all re-inacted the nativity story. (Here's Hud as Joseph and Sydney as Mary)

Asher and Jackson as shepherds. Hud was a shepherd the second go around. After the angels made their great announcement of Good News, Hud declared, "What!!!?" with an "are you kidding me tone of voice." It was really funny! Oh, and don't miss the fact that he thought he needed a gun to shoot off any bears that might attack his sheep.
Here are Cora and Lucy waiting for their angel cue. Love the boa!!!

A multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God and saying, "Glowy to God in the highest and on uth peace good will to men!"

Here's Han and Asher playing the holy family in the second act. This was really a hit! I thought the kids would need a lot of encouragement or prompting to do their part, but they jumped right in and had a blast with it! They wanted to do the story a third time, but we had one more thing to do for Jesus.... they all brought some money for his present. We collected enough to buy 5 ducks for a family through World Vision. (see their website for all kinds of neat opportunities to buy gifts for impoverished families around the world.)
Happy Birthday, Jesus! We hope you were blessed by your party. This season really is all about You!

Grandpa Went Home for Christmas

After suffering with advanced Alzheimer's for the past several years, my Grandpa is finally in his right mind today. It's been awhile since he could think clearly and recognize his loved ones, but I'm sure that when Jesus came to take him home this morning he had no trouble recognizing his Lord.

I have some great memories of my Grandpa. Early on, I mostly just remember his blue work shirts that said "Lester." Grandpa was a hard working man, and a skilled carpenter.

Later on I remember him attending my sporting events and other important milestones. Even though he wasn't always comfortable showing affection, he showed me his love by the things he did for me. He was very quick witted and ornery. Instead of telling me he loved me, he'd say things like, "Some people have to pay their grand kids to be good. You're just good for nothing!"

One of my favorite memories of my Grandpa is when he took me to college. For some reason that I don't really recall, my parents were going to send me off to college on an airplane. My grandparents didn't like the idea of me having to go to my first semester of school alone, so Grandpa loaded up me with all my stuff, and we made the 16 hour trip together.

I'm blessed to have good memories! It makes days like today not so sad. I loved my grandpa. I'm thankful that I got to grow up with him in my life, and I'm really glad that he's finally free of the disease that took so much of his mind so that he can celebrate Christmas with Jesus this year!

(the first pictures are of he and I in my early days, and the last two are on my wedding day)

Toys

If you're shopping for Han this season, here are two things she likes (written how Hud pronounces them): Hello Titty (Kitty) and Sleeping Booty!!

"The best birthday party I've ever had"

Mom had the tremendous privilege of being here during her birthday last month. Once Han heard about the upcoming day, she jumped into action and began planning the "pahty." She decided that we should have a Little Mermaid party, so I took her to Party City to get the supplies she needed. First it was Little Mermaid plates and napkins, then she picked out a special cup for each person. "Alright, Han, is that all?" "No, we need stweemuhs." "We've got some at home." "O.K. then we need pahty hats." We purchased the said party hats. "Is that enough, Han?" "NO, we've got to have blowuhs." So we got some blowers. "Now we need a pinata, Mom." "Um, I think it will be ok if we don't get a pinata." "Well how about buhyoons?" So we finished up our purchases with a mylar Little Mermaid balloon. Once home, Han ran to her room to hide all the supplies until the next day. Then she went in and told Mom what we bought and said, "But you can't see them 'cuz it's a secret."

On the birthday, we hung up streamers, and blew up lots of balloons. I made a birthday dinner, and cheesecake. Han was wanting me to make a Mermaid cheesecake, but I think that might be beyond my skill level.

The party was a huge success... a yummy dinner, and dance following the dessert. Next time your birthday rolls around, you might consider coming to visit!

A Knight and the Little Mermaid

Since I had to work the evening of Halloween, Russ had "Twick uh Tweet" duty this year. He got the kids all dressed up and made the rounds to local friends. He's such a great dad! As you can see, we were the Little Mermaid, and a good knight!

The Vocabulary of an almost 4 Year Old

Han has been cracking us up as usuall lately with her ever growing vocabulary. At dinner the other night, Hud pointed to his salad and said, "Is this gonna tuhn into poop?" Russ and I looked at him and said, "What!!?" "Is this gonna tuhn into my poop when I eat it?" he asked. "Yes, Hud it is." He then pointed to every other thing on his plate and asked the same thing. When he was finished Han piped up in her most expressive voice and declared, "Un-bee-YEEV-uh ble!"

These days she likes to say, "Twust Me!" "It's a mist-uh-wee!" "That's a mur-uh-cole!" "Impwessive!" "Impohtent" and "Amazing"

Two of her most used phrases are "Ax- yuh- yee" and "I didn't weal-yize that," Or here's one of my favorites, "I'm siweeus, Mom!" when she really wants something I've said no to.

My Football Star

We never cease to be amazed by Hud's love for sports and his ability to pick up the details of the game. The other day I noticed he was putting random things in his mouth while he had his helmet on. I realized he'd noticed that the real players wear mouth guards, and he was trying to imitate them. Here he is using a lime wedge! Not long after, Russ took him to the store and he bought a real mouth guard with his own money. Days later he came up to me in the bathroom and said, "Mom, tan you just put a little chap stick wight heuh and wight heuh" (pointing under his eyes) Eventually he discovered a black marker to use under his eyes.

While my parents were here recently he kept telling my dad that he would take him to a football game. My parents took the kids, and while Han kept making trips to the bathroom, Hud watched nearly every play. At halftime, my mom asked him if he'd like to go get something to eat. He thought for a minute then said, "Just dit me some poptorn and a dwink. I'll stay heuh and teep my eye on the ball!"

Here comes cousin Kaylee!!

Last month my sister, Jana, and her adorable daughter Kaylee came to visit. We had a so much fun together! Can't wait to see you in a few weeks, Kaylee!!

Amateur Hair Stylist

After watching Melissa cut Mom's hair, I was ready to try my hand at the scissors. My sister, Jana was quite brave to let me cut her hair. She didn't have a lot to loose... if it turned out bad, she looks fabulous in a super short pixie cut... plus, if it turned out fine, I would have saved her $50 plus tip - the going rate in California. I wish I had a before shot... just picture a hair almost shoulder length with layers that hadn't been cut since April.

Not bad, huh!?

Makeover Mom!

Here's a quick "before" shot of Mom with Han.

Our sister-in-law, Melissa is the professional in this whole makeover. After much, much encouragement, we convinced Mom to go darker (assuring her that it would take at least 15 years off her look)! After the color and cut by Meli, Han and I did the make-up.

Han's the real expert here!

Here's the after.... doesn't she look great?!


(Why didn't I get a chest like that?)

We Frequent the Hunting Channel

The other day Russ took Hud with him for some guy time together. Russ needed to go check his deer stands and clear some brush around the hunting lanes so that he'd be ready when the season opened up. Even though we kept telling him otherwise, Hud thought they were getting ready to go hunting. He told me he was going to shoot a big buck and bring home the meat. As they were pulling out of the drive way, Hud pipes up from the back seat, "Lotta people dunna watch us on t.v., right Dad!?"

Faux Pa of all Faux Pas

O.K., so I am a bit mortified at the moment. I lead a small group Bible study, and of course our heart is not just for our own Spiritual growth, but to have an atmosphere of authenticity here that draws people to Christ. Well, I was so excited that we would be having a girl from India visit tonight. Imagine my mortification as we go down to our "Western style" decorated basement, and I realize that my cow skin rug is in the center of our discussion area. Holy Cow!!!! Decorating with dead animals... not so much the thing to do in India! What was I thinking? Hopefully she didn't notice there was a thirteen point buck behind her that was staring at us all night!

Recognize this guy?

Check out our adoption blog to hear the story!

www.our-china-doll.blogspot.com

Weinie Roast and Campout

Some friends invited us over to their place in the country for a little weinie roast and s'mores. Russ and Hud camped out overnight in the tent along with Bruce and Asher.

No weinie roast would be complete without a couple of blonde jedis.

And of course you need fairy princesses when you're cooking hot dogs over an open fire!

A great time was had by all!!!