Happy New Year!!

More sledding pictures...

Sledding!

We took the boys sledding yesterday morning on our fresh snow. Roz stayed home with a napping JD so I could go too. The big boys had a blast! Eli took a wrong turn into a small tree (a bush really) a couple times but he wasn't hurt. Wesley really liked it and pretty much could do it himself which was nice.

Hayden LOVED going down the hill but pretty much cried whenever he wasn't on the way down yelling "wheeeeeee!". Each time on the way back up the hill and waiting his turn to go down he cried. It was actually kind of funny. We just couldn't get back up fast enough for him. It's definitely good exercise walking uphill in the snow with your boots on pulling a child on a sled! I wish we there were more hills close by, it got kind of busy and we decided to head home. Jerry's boss drove up with his son as we were loading the boys in the van. So we left just in time! :)

That's some load!

Hayden and Justus ready to go!

JD's first bath in the BIG tub

JD had his first bath in the big tub last night. He is quickly outgrowing the baby tub. I think JD is about the size of Hayden when he was almost one! JD didn't seem to mind the big tub. I think he likes the warm water. Wesley had the honors of assisting (from inside the tub!). Normally, Jerry is in charge of bath time, but I always do the babies. So I swooped in washed my guy and got out of the way. Here are a few shots:

Christmas Fun!

Christmas Eve we all went to church at 5pm. The boys were so good. After a small upset because I didn't let Justus unzip his own jacket, they sat nicely the whole time. Hayden was the only one who was restless since he is used to being in the nursery. But a steady supply of cheerios worked to keep him in line. At the very end of the service they had everyone hold a lit candle. So for the last verse of Silent Night we let Eli and Justus hold them. They were so proud of themselves.

Here are a few shots of the Shown family on Christmas morning. The boys slept in! We ended up waking them up about 7:15. Justus came down still asleep in Jerry's arms. He finally roused when we started opening the gifts. They enjoyed everything. Despite the "late" start we had breakfast and were ready in time for Roz, Wesley, and I to keep with tradition and go to the 10:30 service with the DeCleene family.

Jerry, Hayden, Wesley, and Justus

Roz

Eli checks out his new scooter (Hurry, Spring!)

JD ready to go to Grandma's

After a quick lunch and early nap for Hayden we headed up to Grandma Linda and Pa's. There was a TON of food and it was nice to visit with everyone. That side of the family is almost all adults now with only Jake and Saige remaining in high school. Several of the cousins had there boyfriends or girlfriends there. My cousin Amber's boyfriend was here all the way from England!

The big boys enjoyed grazing on chips and cookies and playing with the cousins. JD was a little crabby but I am sure he was wondering why all these new faces were holding him! Everyone did fall asleep in the van on the way home (again!) but we had them in their jammies and took them right up to bed. Despite the fact they did wake up when we got home they went back to sleep with out too much trouble.

Since we were at Grandma's for Christmas, we did the last day of the Jesse Tree yesterday (26th). I highly recommend it! The boys really enjoyed it and it was a good review for the rest of us as well. I think the boys were a little disappointed to have it end. If you want to do it and need the links or information let me know. You only have 338 days until December 1, 2008!

Merry Christmas!

Jesse Tree Reading: Luke 2: 6-21
Symbol: star
What's a Jesse Tree? Click here.

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Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.