Our Family Christmas

This Christmas was a wonderful one for our family. Christmas Eve we attended a service at our church. This was the first time in 9 years that I haven't been at the church for 11 hours on Christmas Eve. (I typically sing at all the services) It was also the first time that Luke and I have ever sat together in a Christmas Eve service. I missed singing a bit, but it was REALLY good to have some family time this year. After church I made a nice dinner, we put Boaz to bed, and then we watched Christmas Vacation!

Christmas morning, we woke up with Boaz and had waffles for breakfast. (and bacon for daddy!) This was the first time Boaz had tried waffles- they were a hit! We even let him have sugar-free syrup on them... he was a sticky mess when he was done. It was a fun way to start the morning.

Santa brought us funny things this year. I think he raided our cupboards and toybox the night before and put all of our old stuff in our stockings. He must have been trying to be pretty frugal this year.

Boaz showing mommy what he got in his stocking... yes- that's an old bottle of baby tylenol. Boaz loves to chew on the rubber cap!

Boaz had a lot of fun laughing and watching Ozzie open presents. This is Ozzie's favorite day of the entire year. He was hilarious. Each year when I get out the stockings, he is so excited. He knows exactly which one is his and proceeds to shake it wildly hoping that treats will fall out!

Ozzie helped Boaz unwrap his gifts.

After Boaz's morning nap, we loaded up and trekked across town to Dave & Linda's house. (luke's aunt & uncle) Linda made the traditional beef burgers and french fries for lunch. It just wouldn't be a Bartlett Christmas without the french fries. (Right, Joel??!) The cousins had fun playing Wii together.

After Boaz's afternoon nap, we headed out to Grandpa & Grandma Bartlett's house. They live a whopping 7 minutes away from us. It was nice not to have to travel much on Christmas Day. Grandma B found some old toys of theirs from when Luke was growing up. Luke used to like to play with this tool bench. Boaz liked it too!

Grandma & Grandpa Bartlett gave Boaz some really nice clothes and several fun toys. Grandpa helped Boaz unwrap them.

Uncle Justin gave Boaz a big stuffed teddy bear. He picked it out and wrapped it all by himself!! (Nice work, Uncle Justin!!) :) He also gave Luke and I a funny book about regrettable foods... it's now on our coffeetable if you'd like to visit and look at it!

Boaz, Justin, Bear

Boaz checking out one of his new outfits...

Yep- it's true! Your eyes really are smack dab in the center of your head!!

After Boaz went to bed, we played a game of Seinfeld Scene-It. Luke was the champ. Then we spent a couple hours laughing our heads off at some of the questions from Ron & Carol's new game "Would You Rather..." I think one of those questions sparked what you see in this picture.



We had a wonderful Christmas... we spent time with family, and also spent time giving thanks for all God did for us many years ago. What an amazing gift God gave us- sending Jesus to this earth to live as a human. Praise God that he offered Jesus as a sacrifice for us all. No matter what we've done in the past... through Christ's grace, we can live in confidence knowing that God forgives and invites us to share eternity with Him. We celebrate Christ's birth and God's amazing love this season. And we're thankful for all of you- our friends and family!!