Christmas memories

Well, Christmas has come and gone and we are in the process of trying to put the house back together and prepare for the birth of our new addition! A few memories of out 2009 Christmas for now:

We went to Aunt Gabrielle's house and made homemade cookies for Santa Chrismas Eve day and opened presents. The kids had a wonderful time!

Papa & Mama Jo came and we opened their presents and read the night before Chrismas and then tried to settle down for our own long winters nap...The children would not go to sleep until almost 11:00 Christmas Eve and this pregnant little mama was super tired! We heard Santa's bells 2 different times...The kids were so excited they couldn't hardly stand it!

Caleb slept in the room with Marcus and I and just to be "safe" we locked the door so we would be sure he couldn't sneak out and see the loot before we woke up! Good thing too! He tried to sneak out but luckily I heard him and we were able to enjoy his excitement! He tried to wake up SE but to no avail! She was pooped! She slept in Christmas morning! When she did wake up she wanted nothing to do with checking out what Santa had left! Too funny...that will all change in time! She wasn't even interested in opening presents on Christmas Eve from Marcus' parents! We opened them for her mostly while she looked on!

After enjoying presents from Santa we had pancakes, eggs and sausage. (Caleb's request)

Uncle Paul, Aunt Dawn, Brandon and Bethany came in and we had supper and a wonderful visit and waited on Pappy & Nanny to come in the next day. When all the Barnes family was together we had Christmas again!

Needless to say we have all eaten enough to last us for a while, opened enough presents that we shouldn't need anything for at least another year! But never enough family time!

We have been so blessed with amazing families and tremendous amounts of love! We all love Christmas and LOVE the reason we celebrate every year! Jesus Christ was born and has offered us all his love and redemption! Thank you God for sending us your precious Son and loving us all beyond measure! I pray that your family knows the amazing love of Christ!

Merry Christmas!

This year I have been debating on doing Christmas cards. I still haven't decided for sure so just in case the final answer is no...I decided to update the blog with a makeshift Christmas card!

From the Parten household to yours: We wish you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! We pray that the upcoming year will be filled with love, laughter and the comfort of Christ!