38 Christmas Day 2014 Pictures

Tim bought himself a movie camera for his birthday ... VK saved a bunch of money and Kendra matched it and got her a movie camera.   So Christmas was well documented.

Christmas Hugs.

The kids were so excited to see so many gifts.

Warm slippers for very cold feet.

Horses!

More warm stuff for feet.

Science plants to grow - though so far no success with any of them.  :/

Painting

A bird to balance on his finger.

Robot and Electricity.   He loved it ... but the plastic parts broke far too easily.

Snowflake soap ... the whole house was singing Frozen songs for months.

Love the soap.

More paint

PJ bottoms

Tim got me a new camera - he had planned a different one, but then they were out and this one had been marked down to almost the same price ... so I got my own camera!   I'm still learning how to use it.

We had planned to get the movie "UP" for him ... and couldn't find it.  Then a co-worker gave him a gift and we were delighted to see it was UP!

Socks

Another Science Robot

Telling Daddy about the movie.

Movies from Kendra.

Crayons for drawing 

Decorations for her green Christmas tree

Focus ...

K'Nex

She saved up over half the price of the Innotab ... so we were able to get it when it went on sale.  It's used daily and loved.

Comparing gifts

Gifts from Mom and Dad and Siblings

Gifts from Mom and Dad and siblings

Mom's Gifts ....

Joel's Gifts

He loved his new robe.  So warm and cozy!

Rue's Gifts ...

Tim's gifts

Rockin Round the Christmas Eve Tree 2014

LaRue playing with some of her early presents.  

The lawyers called us about the settlement on our court case from 2013 ... we were able to buy a few things we had been really wanting and saving up for.   We also caught some amazing last minute deals out shopping - a few bigger items were more than 50% off.  After 6 years with almost nothing we purchased ourselves to give to our kids - it felt so awesome to have gifts under the tree.

We had been hugely blessed over the years by those we knew and didn't know - when things were looking so very bleak.   We still feel so very blessed for all the food and clothes and little gifts that people sent our way through God's directions.

Our first time to put up the tree in years - LaRue had never seen it (well, she was only 1 the last time it had gone up anywhere).

The angel was not looking so good - her wings fell off.  Kendra tied them on and she is back on top of the tree this year.

My dream is to have a golden white angel with a star behind her and lights on the star and her dress, pretty twinkly white lights.   Someday.  I really love nativity and tree decorations.

I don't know what she was drawing ... but you got to love her thoughtful face.  LOL

Joel takes his plant watering job VERY seriously while Aunt Viv is away.

Dancing to Christmas music.

I once prayed for a girl child with long thick hair that was just curly enough.   I find it amusing that I have exactly one child with hair like this.  I love her hair.   I suspect Tim and Joel would have hair like this as well if they ever let it grow out.

There will be 38 pictures on the Christmas Day post.   So if you have a slower connection - you'll know to expect extra download time or to not let it come through.

Though I do still need to write up a Christmas Letter for those who want a few details of our past year.