Christmas 2015

The most stressful time of the year but also packed with love, fun, and celebrations.

Alveda playing with the nativity.

Decorating a ginger bread house.

This is a redo.. we had a lot of fun!

Music concerts. 

Wendell had a speaking part.

Travels means packing to the max.

 Out to eat with my dad and step mom.

   Fun shirts from G&G McCulley

 Our Christmas

 Our Christmas head band, it jingles : ) 

 At G&G Hunt's.  She loved playing in the kennel.  

 Found this gem on our travels.  Relation to Phil.

We had a good year and enjoyed Christmas for the most part.  It's always a bit hectic and lots of travels but it does get easier as the kids get older.  We did our Jesse tree again and enjoy teaching the kids about Jesus' history and birth.  In America, we make Christmas a big deal, and it is for so many good reasons.  Praise God for the ability to have such joy and fun with our friends and family!

8 years old

Wendell is such a good boy, we are so blessed to have him in our family.  So many complain about boys but ours is a gem.  He's a soft and gentle spirit, meek and mild.  He loves school, loves to learn, loves to be challenged.  He likes to try new things, enjoys playing outside - even when it's freezing cold out, loves his DS/Wii/computer games, even likes to cook and read.  Does not love his chores, homework, or cleaning up but he does it.  He is growing into a new phase of not a little boy anymore.  We can see him growing up physically, spiritually and mentally... about the same emotionally.  He's also showing more signs of frustration with Harlie, and fighting and arguing is happening more.  Maybe it's a phase, maybe it's part of growing up, maybe it's the weather.  One thing we're working on this week/month is more chores - more organized daily cleaning - having a rhythm to our day, even at 8 years old.  And learning to respect, listen, and communicate with each other.

Anyways, Wendell is 8 now and here are some pictures from this years fun birthday celebrations!

Did you catch all that?  Mom, Dad and Ali ate lunch with him at school.  Wendell handed out treats at school.  A few presents.  Squeezed in some Chucky E Cheese and an 8 birthday cake (that Wendell helped make).   What else could an 8 year old boy want?