We wish you a Merry Christmas!

Santa Clause made it! I was a little worried about whether he'd make it to our house or not but he made it and left everyone with just what they'd asked for! Addison's favorite gift was her new Blackberry phone and straightner, mine was my new digital camera and sewing machine (now I just need lessons!), Joey's was his new clothes (his Field & Stream deer shirt), and Ethan's was his puppy which he'd begged for. This was a favorite for all of us and a memory we'll long remember. It's a 6 week-old Jack Russell puppy which he named "Amsterdam" (huge name for such a small baby! Ha!) He's so cute and is such a little ball of fire already! Don't let his size fool you -- Ha! Ha! Addi was up at 4 AM and at 7 AM I couldn't the anticipation any longer and had to wake Ethan up for his surprise! It was a great Christmas morning!




Even Chloe enjoyed opening her favorite gift - a stuffed animal from Addison -- she knew just how to open it! It was too cute!In the afternoon Abby and Alex joined us to open their gifts and they loved what Santa had left, too! Abby's favorite she received were her LEHS hoodie and sweatshirt and Alex's favorite were his Playstation 2 games and his football.

Christmas evening we spent with Joey's parents and had a very nice time. We had great food and fun catching up with his family. They have had some sad times the past couple months. Joey's Aunt Laura lost her husband to cancer just about a month ago and his Uncle Tally lost his girlfriend to cancer the same week. Joey and his Uncle Floyd had a good time telling old stories and even a few jokes in between -- Uncle Floyd is a hoot to be around. I also enjoyed spending time with his Aunt Laura -- I always enjoy having her tell me some of her older nursing stories and how things used to be. She's a retired nurse and spent much time working in Labor and Delivery and in the Emergency Room. Things have really changed in the medical field in the past 40 years. She's so interesting.

It has been a wonderful Christmas for our family. We are all healthy and happy. We have our family and we love each other so much. It was our first Christmas as husband and wife and Joey has brought so much love and joy (and LAUGHTER!) into my life. Our children are all doing well and we have a good time together. Our first grandchild will be here before too much longer which gives a new meaning to the word "hope" to me. We have so much to be thankful for that have been given to us by a loving Father in Heaven. I love Christmas and this beautiful time of year when we celebrate the birth and the life of our Lord and Saviour. I love the feelings of Christmas and I pray that we can all carry these feelings with us into and throughout the coming year. From our family to yours -- Merry Christmas and best wishes for a wonderful and safe new year. With love, Valencia