Christmas with the Hineses!

Today we had Christmas with Brian's family.  It was lots of fun!  

Molly reading what was in the BIG box. 

A couple of Hines ladies...

And more Hines ladies....

And MORE Hines ladies..  :-)

What did I get??

I LOVE it!

This is Uncle Richard taking a picture of me taking a picture of Uncle Richard.  :-)

Bapa and Grandma Hines with their kids.  And Ray-Ray's hand.

Think they are enjoying their new dollhouse?

Just a little.  ;-)

Christmas 2012

We had a great Christmas!  Molly was up at the crack of long before dawn.  I told her to get in bed with me and that when the clock said 6 she could get up.  

Molly:  It says five one two.

Me:  It needs to say 6.

Molly:  It says five one four.

Molly:  It says five one SIX....we can get up!

Rayna was up a little before 6 (not because it was Christmas--just typical Rayna) so we were opening presents very early.

 Pardon Aaron's 4th of July PJs.  His daddy was so good and put him in his "baby's first Christmas" PJs which he (of course!) wet during the night.

We had a wonderful Christmas lunch with family including my brother Bob who flew in all the way from Hawaii.  It was SO great to see him--we miss him so much!

I also got to meet my new little niece, Adalyn.  Love her to pieces already!

 

 

Gingerbread Fun!

We are all ready for Christmas.  The children are nestled all snug in their beds while visions of sugarplums dance through their heads!  Daddy's snoozing on the couch--out like a log!  So Mommy takes a second to update the blog! 

We had several of our neighbors over to decorate gingerbread houses yesterday and had lots of fun.  Daddy Someone threw out some of the milk cartons I brought home from school, so we had to get a little creative using a Silk milk carton and a tissue box.  The kids did a great job!

 Today, Nana came over and the girls made gingerbread men and delivered them to some friends. 

 Such a fun tradition that Nana started with Molly on her first Christmas home.

Happy 7th Birthday in Heaven

Seven.  I can't believe it's been seven years since I held my firstborn son for the first time.  We love you so much, precious boy.  We miss you everyday. 

Christmas Fun!

 Whew!  I am out of school for Christmas vacation--three weeks off!  This week has been CRAZY busy!  Kindergarten did the Christmas performance this year so between that, wrapping up the grading period, our kindergarten Christmas party, Molly's preschool Christmas party, etc. it has been a fun--but BUSY week!

Happy Half Birthday!

Today is my baby boy's half birthday. 

And six years ago today, my first baby boy when to be with Jesus. 

All part of God's plan.  So very, very thankful for my unexpected blessing. 

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

 Thursday was St. Nicholas Day and we had a great time celebrating with some good friends.  Our friends the McArthurs had a St. Nicholas Day party.  We ate some yummy Turkish food, read The Legend of St. Nicholas, and then went home and put out our stockings.  We were talking about how much fun it will be when our kids get a little older and when can do random acts of kindness for others the way St. Nicholas did.  I will never forget the kindness our family was shown last year on St. Nicholas day.  I'm sure it will always be my favorite St. Nicholas day memory.  :-)