Merry CHRISTmas!

And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us." Matthew 1:23

Kickoff to Christmas eve was celebrated with some friends that had a hayride from their house through the streets to view Christmas lights. They also had loads of hot chocolate and had 'Prep & Landing' and the 'Grinch' playing life size on their garage! Very cool. The kids loved it.

Tyler 'lovingly' spit hot chocolate all over Erin. The nice wet spot on her shirt. I was horrifed and so was Erin.

Looking grown up!!

BJ & I hosted the 2nd annual Potatoe & Knipfla Soup for Christmas Eve after our church service. He's getting mighty good at it. It's now been declared a tradition.

Loving on Opa

and Uncle Deke

The perfect host & hostess for a Christmas brunch

Homemade 3 layer red velvet 'Happy Birthday Jesus' cake. As family arrived, we each put in a candle. Erin being watched by all as she puts her's carefully in.

Ever so sweetly singing 'Happy Birthday Jesus. I'm so glad it's Christmas...'

Doing what boys do. Singing ever so sweetly...not gonna happen.

Captured...smiling for my uncle's camera.

Papa read the Christmas story! THE reason for the season!

Big girl Kam, who even sat at the kids table this year, was sweetly laying her head on T's belly just before I took this shot. Not many others that T would have let do that! Maybe because he was really listening to Papa...

Opa with the Watson's listening... Sweet...

Papa knows Drew! The Christmas story on GLOVES! A total score!

A winning gift...loves anything to do with cars.

And Drew takes the weed eater to work. He got an abundance of tools. Put them all out and proclaimed to himself under his breath 'now I am JUST like daddy.'

Merry Christmas! What a sweet, beautiful time to reflect on our Holy God and His pathway to Him, the mighty Son, our Saviour! Who will, with trumpet sound, return for His second coming! Awesome!

It's been a Christmas of blessing, full of family and good food! My 88 year old grandfather traveled with my uncle to visit us on Christmas. It's a special time to listen to an Air Force war hero, and all the days of ol'. We loved having them both and my parents in town (last couple of years they have been in PA).

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Water, Ice, Trains + Honeymans!

The Honeyman Christmas this year was at the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, TX. Such a fantastic, busy place. The boys had their own bunk beds to crash in, a huge indoor water park (we only lost one kid once), and a magic wand adventure course as part of the fabulous activities at this hotel. They had a blast from start to finish and this is why...

They had lots of family to love and entertain them...Uncle Jebo & Aunt Kay. Next Christmas we will have another little Honeyman running around! So exciting!

A 'wolf den' to sleep in! Stocked with a flat screen and all. It was 'oh so cool.'

Lala to bring the fun!

Not really eating the gingerbread cookies...more like 'put as much decorations on top, so that I can lick them clean!'

All I want for Christmas is 'a guitar and a drum.' Lala & Papa H provided. :)

And Drew has been playing ever since!

They really, really think they have their own rock band. Drew is also vocals as you can tell.

We have been getting excited about the 'Ice' show since leaving Houston. They watched the classic Grinch countless times on the way down. Didn't realize it's so short...had to watch over and over.

Just a cool shot of brothers with brothers. They were checking out the huge train town/tracks.

The amazing Gaylord Hotel

Drew loving on Jebo.

Sneaking in for a shot. :)

Because the boy will never look at me behind a camera. Lunch before the show.

Everything can be entertaining...

The full length heavy duty parkas they provided for the meat locker...

The THEME for the ice show. It's incredible that this is ALL ice!

30 men from China flown in to chisel out from one block of ice per scene.
I had to touch the cake to make sure it was really ice! Indeed it is! Every bit.

What is amazing is...

they finished the task in 30 days!

The beautiful, crystal clear, breathtaking full scale Nativity scene!

Love that I got to be in some pics! BJ was kind enough to carry the camera through the ice show. Thanks honey! I really do exists!!

Off to another long line...

Of course, the little ones are chicken fighting. :)

No, he does not ever sit still. :)

...the Polar Express train ride! Best thing is both activities are seconds away from the hotel.

A 20 minute Christmas musical show beforehand, which Drew slept through. :)

A walk through live pines & falling snow! It had a wonderful smell. Love Drew's face in this. He had just woken up. Me, I just look older...sigh.

It was a beautiful restored train.

Ahhh....

Drew looking for Santa...

Tyler cared mostly about feeling the wind in his hair.

Drew still looking...you would think he is not scared of Santa.

Here he is!!

And here is Drew again...horrified of Santa!! No way he was letting Santa touch him. :)

But not Tyler!!

What a rememberable, fun, entertaining trip! Thank you Lala & Papa H for making it happen!