It was nice to wake up in our own home on Christmas morning and open gifts as a family. My favorite Christmas memory, and one I will treasure forever, was Mady's excitement over giving gifts to Drew, Kendall, and me. She picked out a book for Drew, and she and Kendall went shopping for me at Hands Around the World, our local fair trade store. She picked out a pretty bracelet for me, and while they were shopping she eyed a coffee mug for her daddy to drink coffee out of. So when I suggested a gift a week or so later at a different store, she adamantly insisted that we go to "the other store" to get the green mug. We walked into the store and she beelined to the back of the store and pointed right to it. It was so sweet to see her think of what her daddy would like and know that's what she wanted for him! We are so thankful for her sweet, caring spirit.
After we opened gifts at our house, we headed over to my parents'. Mady and Kaylee were quite full of energy and had so much fun together all day. They are loving being in the same town and being able to play together regularly!
Five little ones wasn't too crazy this year, but three one-year-old boys and two four-year-old girls will keep us on our toes next year!
We left Orange City around 4:30 for our annual Christmas Day drive to Blencoe, where we spent a relaxing week. This drive was an especially great one due to this gorgeous sunset that we got to watch the whole drive down.
We arrived in Blencoe in time for supper, and then had a fun evening opening gifts. I forgot to take pictures of present opening in Orange City, so we made sure to capture a few pictures with the Stanislavs:-)
We were thankful that we got to spend a week getting to know our nephew Graham, and catching up with Matt and Jamie! This picture doesn't adequately capture Graham's disposition, though, because he is the most smiley little kid I've ever seen!
Drew loved Graham's Johnny Jump Up, but used it more to walk in circles and frighten the adults with how close he came to the door frame.
Drew loves to play ball right now, and had fun playing catch with Papa Danny
Apparently he also likes to pick Grandma's nose...
One of the highlights of Mady's week was getting a tractor ride with Papa Danny.
We are thankful for such wonderful family who love us so deeply, but most of all for a Savior who loves us beyond comprehension and sacrificed himself to save us. We look forward to another wonderful year together!
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