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In our family....we do second chances...we do grace...we do real...we do mistakes...we do I'm sorry (and I forgive you)...we do loud really well...we do hugs...we do family...we do love.















Sunday, December 27, 2009

Our White Christmas of 2009

This post is dedicated to my 5 children and 2 grandchildren that couldn’t be home for Christmas. Even though they were physical absent, they are never absent from our hearts and thoughts.

This post is also dedicated to each of the angels disguised as Santa, that blessed our family this Christmas.

This is the story of our Christmas…

Some of you might remember, Santa sent us early Christmas presents in the mail.

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Thank you Santa!

Not to mention the gift of having my grandson here the week before…

CIMG0020 He is a mixture of pure sweetness and stinker. A perfect gift.

On the eve of Christmas Eve, we received a surprise visit from a girl that I’ve mentored. This was an unexpected Christmas present. Our short time with her was very special.

CIMG0005 See how happy this gift made the little’s?

I came home that evening from work to these flowers from my son, daughter and grandson.

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These made me cry. Thank you kids!

Our Christmas Eve we woke to even more snow. My son came and babysat and they had a fun time playing with him in the snow. What a gift this was to us. Thank you Uncle Adam!

After I got home from work, the little’s opened their gifts that had come in the mail from far away aunties and uncles.

And we made a thank you sign to say thank you to them.

CIMG0019  Special aprons made for Emeril and Rachel Ray…

And nerf guns!

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 After a lesson on gun safety and deciding our target, we had some Christmas Eve fun!CIMG0053 I don’t know who had more fun…the little’s or myself?

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   After watching a Christmas movie, off to bed we went in hopes that Santa would be coming in the night.

I was woken up at 6:15 AM with screams from little man that Santa had indeed come to our house.

CIMG0065By 6:30 the coffee was going and we had poured juice into our special “fancy” glasses, and were sitting down to read the story of Jesus’ birth. After prayers, talking about what we are thankful for, making some toasts and finally singing Happy Birthday to Jesus, it was time to open presents from Santa.

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They loved everything that Santa left under our tree and that we got in the mail. So we made a sign for all you Santa’s.

Thank you Santa’s!!!! You know who you each are. If it wasn’t for you wonderful angels, this wouldn’t have happened. Obviously, Christmas is not about the presents but what you each did for our little people, was a blessing that will not be forgotten.

It was still snowing Christmas morning and it was nasty out so we had to cancel our travel plans. My son who lives in the next town wasn’t even able to make it.

Regardless, we were going to make the best of it. So…

CIMG0047And snow it did… 

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The little’s were excited about playing with their new stuff. Little lady was the most happy about a new stroller for all her babies. Little man loved all of his stuff but I think he loved the vacuum Santa brought our family the best. If you know little man, then you know his love for vacuums.

I was very surprised and happy about my vacuum Santa! 

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We had a birthday party for Jesus. Actually through out the day, little lady fed Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the angel and cow.

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We had a great breakfast and made some more toasts…

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…before heading outside to enjoy some snow fun!

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We made these signs for all our loved ones that live too far away to come home.

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And then it’s time to help shovel. The little’s love shoveling.

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Daddy can hardly wait until they can do all of it! Of course by that time, they really won’t think it’s this much fun.

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CIMG0086As you can see, I am not shoveling because he wouldn’t let me. Instead I took pictures. I think he was about ready to take the camera away from me though and throw it in a snow bank.

Little lady and I goofed around taking pictures of ourselves.

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Little lady thought all the new snow was the best present ever! It was so deep she kept getting stuck and falling down. Still she never cried….

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…she was too busy trying to catch the flakes with her tongue.

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And of course eating it!!!! This kid never stops eating!

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Little man loves the snow. He has finally mastered the art of throwing a snowball. Of course we threw lots and lots of snowballs.

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Little man wanted to make a snowman but the snow was too deep. He kept getting stuck in the snow and if you know little man, you know he’s not quiet about his frustration!

CIMG0052 Every time he screamed or carried on I threw a snowball at him. This usually got a smile out of him! I really didn’t mean to hit him in the face. Thankfully he thought that was hilarious. Believe me, he got me back!

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Thankfully it wasn’t too cold, so we spent a long time playing in the snow.

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It kept snowing and snowing…

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Since there’s not much you can do to stop it, you may as well enjoy it.

CIMG0100 And that we did!

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We really did have a wonderful Christmas. In spite of missing my kids and grandkids. In spite of not getting to go to my sister’s house and spending the day with extended family. In spite of not buying and wrapping a single present. In spite of not making a big holiday meal. In spite of getting over a foot of snow. In spite of things not being perfect. In spite of all these things and more, Christmas came and it was it’s own special wonderfulness.

This is to all of you that made our Christmas time special. This is to all of you that made someone's Christmas special. You are an angel.

Thank you.

Here’s to all the Christmas angels.

Cheers!!!!!

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Love & Hugs, Lori

30 comments:

Beth said...

Sounds like a perfect Christmas!

Anonymous :) said...

Priceless pictures. You're building awesome memories.

Mike said...

That sounds almost perfect, except for the family that could not make it, but at least everyone was safe and warm and in good spirits!

Brian Miller said...

nice. sounds like you all had an amazing holiday! and a white christmas on top! the looks on their faces are priceless. smiles.

mommytoalot said...

What a beautiful Christmas! Love the snow..we had a very rainy Christmas. The pictures are awesome. Boy those littles are sweet. You look great. What a super hubby to do all that shovelling.
All the best to you in the New Year Lori
xx

Midnitefyrfly said...

I can't help but think "Life is what you make it" and you are doing an absolutely beautiful job!!! Thanks for bringing some cheer to warm my heart! Happy holidays ((HUGS))

Busy Bee Suz said...

Not buying or wrapping presents...but still surrounded by gifts...this is what makes life wonderful. I love this post. I love seeing the kids and you and your wonderful husband.
I LOVE that you are teaching these children what Christmas is all about. They will grow up remembering this and passing it down...you are doing a wonderful thing with your family.
Blessings to you and your family Lori!!!!
xoxoxo
Suz

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness. I LOVE your Christmas. I loved each picture and every word. I am so glad you have each other. What a wonderfully special family! I hope your snow is long gone and you are enjoying this holiday week! I just said a prayer asking God to not make you have to work every day this week!

Natalie said...

I am so glad the Littles had a lovely day. If Littles are happy, then Mummies are happy, Right?xx♥

Buckeroomama said...

I'm so happy to read that you had a lovely Christmas, Lori. What sweet memories.

SciFi Dad said...

It looks like you had a great Christmas. I am so happy for you and your little people.

Merry Christmas, Lori.

Brittany said...

I am so happy that you had such a wonderful christmas!

I wish I could have been there, and I am so SO SO excited that I get to see you this week!

I love you! You are a gift to me!!!!

Kit Kat said...

Looks like you all had fun! Things never go as planned, but its great that you could turn around and make it a very great and special Christmas anyway! Thanks for the picture, they are SOOO CUTE!
Also, it is hard to be separated from loved ones during these family holiday traditions, but I know that each of your kids had you in their heart. I kept your family in mine this weekend :) and we even saw some old home videos of all of us cousins as little ones! I think my mom is editing them, and will likely send you some... they are so great!

Joanna Jenkins said...

What a happy and joyous Christmas. All those smiles speak volumes!!!!

Happy holidays.
xo

Lori ann said...

Lori this is so sweet, i love the signs and the smiles on those darling faces,yours included. thank you for sharing this wonderful post.
i am a little envious of the snow, i've never had a white christmas, it looks like so much fun.
xoxo

Anonymous said...

I love the Happy Birthday Jesus sign against the crisp white snow! LOVELY.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

wow, lovely kids, grateful attitude, sweetest smiles, and creative mindsets...
I feel like a movie in the making, because everything look perfect and in order.

Happy Holidays!

http://www.jingleyanqiu.wordpress.com
in case you wonder where I live.
Welcome.

Shrinky said...

Lori, those little faces say it all - and as for you - why, you are nothing short of positively radiant! I hope 2010 brings peace, health and happiness to you and yours, Happy New Year.

CiCi said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful and fun filled Christmas. The Little Emeril and Little Rachel aprons are awesome. Personally I am not using the S word (snow) anymore but you guys make it look like fun playing in the white stuff. We were actually unable to get it off our driveway and had to call in help. There was so much of it on the driveway, they only made a wall on each side of the driveway so we could get the car out of the garage. This is a great post full of terrific memory making photos for you and the children. Oh, and your hubby's strong snow shoveling arms!

Jan said...

Oh, Lori - what a wonderful Christmas you had, even if you didn't get to do what you had planned. And I SO had to laugh at the picture of all the Nerf darts stuck to the wall - you are a rockin' Mommy!

Hugs to you and Hubby and your Little People, my friend.

Bogey said...

Perfect Christams!!!!? What's that? Your Christmas was about as perfect as it could be. Plenty of love and smiles. Remembering and celebrating Jesus' birthday and being grateful for those that were around you. Yet, still remembering those loved ones who could not be there. Playing in the snow and just plain sharing in the memories of Christmas 2009. It couldn't be any better than that. Lori, you took what you had and made lasting and treasured memories. Not just for the littles, but for yourself, your husband and everybody who has come to visit you and share in this post. Thanks for sharing with us these wonderful treasures and giving me leaky eyes yet again!

Fragrant Liar said...

Looks like buying presents is not the real joy of Christmas. WHAT?!?! Well, you proved it. Looks like everyone had a fabulous Christmas and enjoyed the snow. Pretty great, if you ask me.

Hilary said...

Aww it looks like an absolutely magical time. Those faces are so beautiful. This post makes me smile. :)

Smart Mouth Broad said...

What a lovely Christmas! Cheers, indeed!

Unknown said...

Sounds and looks like such a wonderful day!!! I would have loved to play in that snow, but so far, we have had NONE! Heck, even my brother in El Paso has had snow, but not here.

I'm sorry you didn't get to see any of your children, but hopefully little man and little lady made up for it. And I read the Santa letter, and wow. That was just awesome!! You warm my heart. I wish I knew you in real life.

Laura said...

Looked like a perfect way to celebrate Christmas. Thanks for the pictures.

Stepping said...

What a wonderful Christmas! The smiles tell the whole story.

Anonymous said...

Awwww, this is so heartwarming to read :) The pics of the lil ones are precious! Looks like an awesome Christmas... so happy for your family, Lori :)

Happy New Year! May 2010 bring you and yours peace and contentment, and of course lots of love and warmth!!! Hugs!!!

Anonymous said...

Keep posting stuff like this i really like it

Stacy Uncorked said...

Absolutely love all the pictures! How cool that The Littles got to have a White Christmas! You're right, though - when they get old enough to shovel all by themselves, they won't think it's as fun! ;)

Glad you had a wonderful Christmas in spite of your kids and grandkids not being able to make it.