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| The Wenzel's House |
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| Babysitter in Training |
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| Uncle Trevor and Bruxen |
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| New Cameras |
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| Bryker's Batman Jail |
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| Captain America Shields-This is all Trace really wanted for Christmas |
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| New Calendar |
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| Man Cave |
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| Mommy and Kianna |
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| Trace and Mommy |
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| Christmas Morning |
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| Kaylee's loot |
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| Kianna's loot |
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| Trace's loot |
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| Kaylee's gift she made us |
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| Lunch at Shannon's House |
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| Aliyah |
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| Kianna all giddy |
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| Daddy and Trace |
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| Grandma GG and Grandma Jacque with their grandkids |
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| Stacie and Andrew |
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| Grandma Sue with kids |
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| Trace's nap spot when he was sick |
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| Angry Bird Star Wars Tournament with Daddy |
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| Build-a-Bears |
It is hard to believe that another Christmas has come and gone. Each year we try hard to make Jesus the focus of our Christmas celebration. I have to say this is easier to do
before the kids begin receiving their gifts. This year to keep the focus on Christ, besides doing devotions and having conversations with the kids, we watched the movie "The Nativity Story". We started this tradition last year and really enjoyed it. The kids still get a little freaked out in a couple of spots, but otherwise think it is a great movie. We also try to help out those in need around us. Kianna's Kindergarten class did a great job with this. Instead of doing a class gift exchange they were asked to fill a bag with nonperishable food items. The kids then delivered the bags to a local food pantry. Kianna really enjoyed this experience. I love seeing our kids being the hands and feet of Jesus!
We continued our Christmas celebration by making a trip to Iowa to visit our friends and family. We left Michigan on the 22nd and headed to The Wenzel's house in Illinois. We spent the afternoon and evening with them. It happened to be their oldest daughter, Brooke's 7th birthday, so we were able to celebrate with them. The kids always enjoy playing together while we visit with Sally and Ryan. We continued our trip to Iowa the following morning with the goal of making it to our church for worship. We made it in time and had a great time seeing our friends and worshipping. The rest of the trip went by in somewhat of a blur. The highlights are as follows:
- Small Group Party- It is always fun catching up with our friends. The kids have fun reuniting with their old friends too. We have to remind Trace who his "friends" are since he had only just turned one when we moved.
- Christmas Eve Celebration- We spent Christmas Eve with Trevor's family. This year Sam and Mike hosted the festivities in their new home, which is quite beautiful! We ate a variety of yummy foods. I think the highlight for the kids was the hot cocoa station Aunt Sam had setup. They were able to choose whether to add M&M's or candy canes to their hot cocoa in addition to marshmallows. The girls each received a new camera from Grandma Becki and Grandpa Bob, which they were pretty thrilled about. Trace received a Captain America Shield and mask, which he couldn't have been more thrilled to have received. He was so demonstrative opening his gifts, which made it extra fun this year!
- Christmas Morning- We spent our morning opening gifts from just the five of us. The kids each received a stocking filled with gifts from Santa and three gifts from us, to simulate how the wise men brought Jesus three gifts on his birthday. We ate Monkey Bread and played with our new gifts. This year Kaylee's three gifts were: Caroline, a new American Girl, who happens to have blond hair and blue eyes just like her. She also received the game Battleship and Caroline's accessories. Kianna's gifts included a CD player for her room, some Adventures in Odyssey CDs, and a pair of black boots. Trace's gifts included the new Leap Pad II, headphones, and a game. Trevor got a new wedding ring since his was lost in Lake Michigan this summer and I received a gift certificate for a massage. Each year in art class, Kaylee makes us a new figure out of clay for a nativity set. Last year she made Baby Jesus and this year we received Mary. It is very special. She also wrote us a note from all the kids saying:
- "Dear Mom and dad, Sorry we only gave you one Christmas present. We thot that one of are pesents to you geys could be being on are best behaveyour & not conplaneing. Merry Christmas. Love, the Cook kids. Lets be a joyfull family." I love this girl!!!
- Christmas Day- We spent at Stacie and Patrick's house with the rest of my family. Stacie made a fabulous meal, which she served on my Grandma Carie's special china and real silverware. It was fun to use these special items. Trace received a batcave, which he was thrilled about. Kaylee received a new alarm clock that changes colors while charging her ipod. She loves it! Kianna got some Webkinz. She loves stuffed animals, so was thrilled.
- Game Night with Sam and Mike- We had a great time playing a new game, Pandemic. The bad news is that Sam started her own pandemic when she broke out with the stomach flu just two hours after we left their house...
- Playstation: We met up with Grandma Sue, Scott and Emily and their three kids and Melissa and her three kids. Together the cousins had a fun time playing together while us adults visited.
- Christmas with Grandma Sue- The kids received some Angry Birds Star Wars sets from Grandma Sue and Grandpa Wayne. We have since enjoyed playing in some Angry Bird tournaments as a family. Fun times!
- Les Miserables- What a great movie!! I enjoyed watching this with my three moms (Becki, Sue and my mom). It isn't often a person can say that. I'm thankful they all get along!
- Date Night with The Issa's- It was fun hanging out with our good friends, Anthony and Julie. We had a nice dinner out and then watched "The Hobbit". Fun times!!!
- Stomach Flu- Trace came down with the stomach flu. Thankfully it was short lived and no one else got it!!!
- Lunch with my Mom- I had a quiet lunch out with my mom. We had a nice visit.
- Russell Christmas Party- Spent an evening visiting with family we don't get to see too often.
- Breakfast at Shannon's- Before heading back to Michigan we had one last family gathering where we enjoyed a pancake breakfast. It was a nice way to spend the morning!
- Build-a-Bear- The kids all received gift cards from Aunt Shelli to Build-a-Bear. We decided to stop and let the kids use their gift cards on our way out of town. The kids had a blast! Trace ended up with a white teddy bear named Captain, a Captain America outfit and a Spiderman outfit for his bear. Kianna got a husky dog with beautiful blue eyes, which she named Snowflake. She also got an ice skating outfit for her dog. Kaylee picked out a rainbow colored bear, which she named Colorful. She also got a fun outfit for her bear. The kids had a great time thanks to Aunt Shelli.
We had a great week in Iowa, but as always it is good to be back home in Michigan. Christmas decorations are put away until next year and we are ready to bring in the new year...
