Merry Christmas!

Just a very quick note to wish everyone a very blessed Christmas. There is too much Christmas "stuff" to cover right now because I still haven't finished creating a couple of my Christmas gifts and Lauren is in the mood to party instead of going to sleep tonight.

Santa came last night to our house because this way, Emma could enjoy her gifts instead of rushing off to church and then to both families houses. It worked out great. Santa got her a Dora's talking cash register and it is quite the hit. She asked me tonight at bedtime if Santa was coming again and after I told her no and that Santa only comes one night she wanted to know about the Santa at "Oakview Mall" that she requested a Barbie from. (she is trying to scam Santa into more than one toy) Santa is smarter than that and only brings one gift. :)

Our little crazy Emma was actually chosen to be the Virgin Mary in the Christmas program at preschool. I think she has a personality that couldn't be more opposite probably of some of Mary's characteristics (gentle, nurturing etc.) anyway, Dave and I thought it was a riot and the teachers explained that they knew she wouldn't be afraid to play the part. She did great and the program was terriffic! Oh and by the way, "Joseph" is just as onery as our "Mary." They are such a cute couple though.

Lauren is oblivious to why there is so much activity all the time and why we have this glowing tree in our house. Hopefully she will be asleep soon. Dave stopped here for his lunch break. He is working tonight but off the next two, so that's great.

Merry Christmas to all! Sarah, Dave, Andrew, Emma, and Lauren
AND
Happy Birthday baby Jesus!

Just a very quick post tonight as I HAVE TO try to accomplish my first ever Christmas letter. :)
But I just wanted to post some pics of the famous gingerbread house created by Emma and aunt Stacy. I have to explain the second picture. The yellow piece of candy is a "gingerbread man" who fell on his head and is in the hospital in a hospital bed (the white rectangle.) He has OF COURSE been "hooked up" to a "water pack" (I.V.) and I was told would not be released until Tuesday.
On both Sunday and Monday, I told Emma that he was much better and that he could get out of the hospital, but both days she was very serious that the doctor said not until Tuesday. Thankfully today, the hospital stay was over with and the bed and candy could be scraped from my kitchen table. what a wierd imagination.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

I haven't posted in over a week....sorry. We are all doing awesome as is the rest of the family....thank goodness. We think we are going to be "good to go" for Christmas festivities. AND, even if someone has a cold....BIG DEAL!

We are enjoying the holiday season. It seems like each year is more fun. This year Emma is thrilled with all of the Christmas lights and Lauren loves our tree. Except the other day when she tried to eat a pine needle. Ouch! We have been working on a little project for Aunt Stacy for Christmas and it was going to be a great surprise till Emma shared that surprise with her the other night. That's what I get for having Emma "help" with the special surprise.

A HUGE thank you to Stacy for coming over to babysit on Saturday night so Dave and I could enjoy ourselves at my work Christmas party. Emma had the best time decorating the gingerbread house and I'm sure eating lots of the candy that was to go on the house. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. AND Katie....thanks for being our backup for that night. We will definately keep you in mind for the future. How about Jan 6th? :)

We did make it out to the Christmas tree farm (or "valley" if you're Emma) eventhough it was totally cold. We picked out a tree pretty quickly, but it is gorgeous once again.

We had more pictures taken today with Patrick and Cecilia and they are absolutely PRICELESS. I wish I had more wall space to hang all of them. I'm not going to post any tonight cause I have to download all of them and some of you will be getting a copy for Christmas, so maybe we'll keep them a surprise. We surprised mom again with them. Now we all need some frames.

I have been off of work for over a week. I had some vacation time to "burn" by the end of the year, so I am totally enjoying my time off and getting a little shopping done too. Dave is going to enjoy deer hunting later in the week while I am off work.

I've got to get to my Christmas cards so that's it for tonight.

It started out ok!

Today started out so good. Emma, Lauren, Patrick and Cecilia all got together for Christmas pictures at the mall. They all did actually quite well considering the challenge it was. The pictures turned out great. We then went and surprised mom with one so she can "illegally" copy them and send them out in cards this year.

The kids even did great at the mall. We had to wait an hour and a half for the pictures to be done, so we ate lunch and even visited Santa with their Christmas outfits on.

So, we all went to mom and dad's for pizza tonight and to help move furniture so that the new carpet can be installed on Thursday. :) The kids were doing great until poor Cecilia threw up! I'm afraid to say it but it looks as if she picked up that horrible virus somewhere. Unfortunately it is only a matter of time probably till Patrick gets it too. How awful for them. If Emma weren't in preschool, Stacy and I have already said that NOBODY leaves the house until Christmas. If only that was possible.

So I am praying that they are able to get some sleep tonight and that Patrick doesn't get it till Cecilia is better. Prayers for them so that this horrible thing is over quickly and that Ted and Stacy don't "get it."

Sorry Santa if you come down with it too. We had no idea. : (