Merry Christmas!

This holiday season has been wonderful. We've spent time with many friends and family and have created new memories and possibly new traditions for years to come. I feel so blessed to have so many people in my life to share these times with. This holiday season I have really reflected upon the birth of Jesus and why we celebrate in such a grand fashion. Jesus is the reason for the season. It's not about the gift receiving but about the gifts you give with love, it could something as small as a hug or encouraging words. Jesus is all about love and when I thought about baby Jesus in the manger this holiday, my heart was full. When my heart is full, I want to give to others to show my love to them. I think for the first time, I "get" why we celebrate Jesus' birth in this grand way. Of course I knew why there is Christmas, but I was always a "bah hum bug" type of person. Why do we have to go here? There? Everywhere? Why do we have to get this person a gift? Or why can't we just stay home all day on Christmas? But that is not what Jesus wants. Jesus brings people together and that's why there are parties, family time, and gifts during this special time of year. All these things bring people together, just like what Jesus wants us to do.

Here are some of the things that we did this month to celebrate Christmas. We did a lot of other things and had people over for dinner, but I forgot to pull out my camera or take it with me to places. Shame on me! Pictures help me to remember all the fun times we have had.

Josh and I have an in with Santa, so we invited him over for Milk & Cookies. We invited over all of our favorite little people to visit with him.

This was Henry's first time visiting with Santa. (Amber, I love Henry's Santa hat!)

Josh even got to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas.

This last Sunday, we went to the Christmas Eve service at our church. Then afterwards we had a coffee date with some great friends, the Ryan's. This time I remembered my camera! Levi and Parker always make me laugh!

Cheese!

Last night we went to Zoo Lights. I was really impressed by the lights. I haven't been to Zoo Lights since I was a kid and I remember them being on the dull side. They have really improved since all the LED lights have come out. This year the train was being worked on, so we walked around the Zoo. We went with my mom, Josh's mom, Josh's sister and brother in law and our niece and nephew. Also, Ms. Chloe, Jon (Josh's brother) and Tasha, they are visiting for Christmas and we are so happy they are here.

Josh wanted to recreate the "family" pictures that we would take in Germany. Josh is a good uncle.

Sweet little Chloe. I can't believe how much she has grown since we last saw her in April.

Me and my pretty mama.

Photo Bomb!

The Hendershott's. Jadelyn and Jared have both grown so much over the year!

Can you see Chloe? This is Tasha, Mary and Jon.

I hope everyone has a Merry Merry Christmas!

 I hear we are suppose to have clear weather, so Santa might not need to use Rudolph.

I'll remember to take my camera to all of our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day events.

On a side note, as I was writing this, Bob Goff, author of Love Does, wrote this on Facebook. I liked it, so I thought I would share:

"Be the kind of light that makes people squint so hard they can't even see you anymore."

If you haven't read his book, you should!