Recently Bethany has been really taken with a certain doll she has. It was her very first non-display doll, and it is extra soft. It was a surprise to us that she likes it so much, because we thought she was too young to enjoy dolls! She loves to bury her face in it, and squeeze it till it is practically deformed. :) We think it is so cute how she likes feminine things already. Michael thinks it is cute, too, because he likes soft things (though he doesn't like it as much as Bethy does). A budding father maybe? :)
Snow!! Yes, snow in our backyard! For those of you who live in colder climates, this is no big deal, but where we live, this is a very unusual event! At first glance, I thought it was rain, and then we thought maybe it was hail. A closer investigation proved that it was snow!! We ran outside and took pictures of it. We got it in our hair and on our outstretched arms. It fell for about 30 minutes, and at some points it was falling quite fast! It didn't stay very long, but we sure enjoyed it while it did! What fun! Michael and Bethany enjoyed watching from a big window in the living room. It was the very first time they had ever seen snow! What fun we had! We only wish it could have lasted longer!
It was extra strange that it would snow today, because just a few days ago, it was so warm that I was outside barefooted!
On the 1st Day of Christmas (the 23rd)...
We went to my family's house to celebrate. We were supposed to get there early in the day, but delays kept on coming up, and we got there around 5:00! My Grandma Stevens was there, too, and it was fun to be with her. We ate a yummy dinner that my mom and sisters made, and then exchanged gifts. Michael and Bethany loved their Fisher Price Little People sets! Bethany could not stop laughing at her toy when Auntie Rachel played with it! :) We spent the night with them that night.
On the 2nd Day of Christmas (the 24th)...
We all went to church with my family. Later that day, we attended the church cantata. All eight of my siblings were in it, and my older brother was directing it. It was really beautiful, and we were so glad we could be there! My grandparents all came, as well as the Harrisons--my mom's brothers' family.
On the 3rd Day of Christmas (the 25th)...
We celebrated with some of my extended family (and immediate family). We went over to my Grandpa and Grandma Harrison's house in the late morning, and enjoyed spending a day with everybody again. We ate a big meal at lunch time, then opened gifts. The children loved their gifts, but I think one of the highlights of that time for Michael was throwing a tissue paper ball at Uncle Jonathan again and again! It doesn't take much to make little ones happy! :) His new toy fire truck was also a huge success. After dinner, many of us acted in a Christmas pageant that has been an old tradition ever since I can remember. We hadn't done it for several years recently, but decided to revive the tradition this year. I was so happy about that, because it has always been one of my very favorite parts of Christmas. The Harrisons and my family brought all their old costumes. The backdrops were taken down out of Grandpa and Grandma's garage (and repaired a little bit), and the excitement began. Michael was a little shepherd, along with my two youngest brothers, Philip and Timmy. After the shepherd part, we all quickly changed their costumes, and then they were the wisemen! Bethany and I were both in the angel choir, and then she was the older baby Jesus (for the wiseman scene). My grandparents were Simeon and Anna, which was fun, because this is the first year that they were in the play instead of in the audience! It was such an enjoyable day, with this being the highlight for me! Afterwards I felt like we finally had "real" Christmas again--the Christmas I always knew and loved as a child. :)
On the 4th Day of Christmas (the 26th)...
We celebrated with our own family here at home in the morning. In the afternoon, we went to Tom's parents' house to celebrate with them and Ed and Susan, who were visiting for a couple of days. It was great to be with them again! "Uncle Ed" and "Aunt Susan" are both so good with kids, and it was cute to see how much Michael and Bethany enjoyed them! We ate a delicious dinner that Tom's family had made, and then opened gifts. After an evening that was all too short, we had to say goodbye, but only for a brief time.
On the 5th Day of Christmas (the 27th)...
Tom's parents and Ed and Susan came over to our house. It was the first time Ed and Susan had seen our new home. We served them lunch, then spent the afternoon with them. Susan and I enjoyed talking about our pregnancies (they are pregnant with their first), and comparing bellies. Even though she is exactly 11 weeks ahead of me, our tummies look about the same because I "popped out" so early this time! I guess that is what happens when you have your third! :) In the evening we went back over to Tom's parents' house for another yummy meal, then said our goodbyes and went home. What a fun and BUSY Christmas it has been for us!! :)
Grandpa and Grammy Johnson surprised us yesterday with an early Christmas present--a fun swing set for the kids! Grandpa and Grammy set it up last afternoon, and finished after dark. This morning, Michael and Bethany got to go play on it for the first time. They loved it, and squealed with delight! Michael's favorite part of it was the baby swing, though he also loved the "big boy swing", and the long, bumpy slide! Bethany loved riding in the baby swing, too--her big smile and happy noises were so sweet. :) Before we had been out there very long, it started to rain, and we had to come in. What fun for the little ones to have their very own "playground"! :) Thank you, Grandpa and Grammy! :)
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