Birthday Boy!

For the past few years, we have held a birthday party for Jesus.  It's been a wonderful tradition celebrating the birth of our Savior with our friends.  

CHRISTMAS is C-hrist's H-istoric, R-emarkable I-ncarnation S-tory, T-elling M-essiah's A-waited S-alvation. - Jose B. Cabajar

Santa at Work

Brandon's work hosts an afternoon for the employees children to come to work and see Santa and have cookies.  We look forward to going every year because it's about the only time we go to his office.

David might be getting a little old for this....here he is asking Santa what college is in the North Pole?

And here is Brandon asking Adam if he wants to go sit in Santa's lap.  To which Adam said, "No, he bites!"

What are you talking about Daddy?  Work is fun!  Ryan says your office is filled with books that could only be Bibles given their size and you have a deer rack on the wall and Adam has never seen so many elevator buttons to push and unlimited fountain drinks is a dream come true for David!

A Nickname is Born

Adam talks a lot and all day.  His first word was "hi!"  And the exclamation point could be tripled.  I really can't remember how much the boys were talking at his age, but there is no way Adam is talking any less.

However, as much as he talks, he has not called his brothers by name until recently.  A few weeks ago, he started calling Ryan by name, but that left David without acknowledgment.  And now Adam calls for David, but not by his name.  He calls him "school."  Poor thing, all he hears is David is at school or it's time to take David to school or time to pick up David from school.  It's just part of his name.

The Baby Stocking

The stockings hanging from our fireplace were all needlepointed by my mom.  It all started when Brandon and I were expecting our first child.  I gave my mom a pair of needlepoint scissors and announced a grandbaby was on the way and he/she would need a stocking for Christmas.  So stich by stich a true masterpiece was lovingly created for David.  Now, each boy has his own stocking and Brandon and I have one too.  

2003 - David and his stocking in the box the stocking was wrapped in

My stocking

David's stocking

Ryan's stocking

Brandon's stocking

And when complete, we will have Adam's stocking. 

"He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:17

Hot Red Gingerbread

The boys beg for me to make gingerbread men cookies starting the first of December.  The recipe is below and I add "hot reds" (as the boys call them) for eyes and buttons before baking.

His Favorite

Ryan 12-9-10

Santa Calls

Would you believe Santa called from the North Pole last night?  The boys were amazed how much Santa knew about what they have been up to.  That good ol' Santa!

The Wedding Day Fun and Wedding

Julie and Dan have been married almost one year and the boys were ring bearers in their wedding too!

 Sweet Betsy and Allie Mae!

 All seven Jones grandkids in one picture!!

 Emily Blair will steal your heart with her mega blue eyes!

David with his great grandfather, Din.

The Rehearsal

Friday night we attended the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner in Waco for the wedding of Kate and Russell.  

 The three ring bearers and flower girl at the rehearsal.

You know if there are chandeliers in tents, you are at a great party!

Amazing, that's all I can say!  The night was exquisite!

Ryan cannot resist blowing out candles.  Notice by the end of the night, the boys shed their coat and ties.  In fact, Ryan broke his tie (it happens) and was devastated. 

Russell, you are a super fun Uncle and the boys were honored to be a part of your wedding.  

 

December 1

 

Our elf is here!  We have a great time in the mornings leading up to Christmas trying to find him.

For the record, Ryan found Squeeky the squirrel on the tree this year.  He is a Christmas ornament I place on the tree and the boys try to be the first one to find him to carry the title for the year.  

Adam is going through the house looking at everything decorated and saying "Christmas!"

Put on Love

Brandon's youngest brother Russell is getting married this weekend in Waco.  I have been to Dillards what feels like a hundred times getting clothes for the the boys and myself for the weekend of festivities.  However my focus has been all wrong...it's not about the clothes. 

Kate, my sister-in-law (to be) asked that I read at their wedding Colossians 3:12-17.  When I read it today, I was convicted by the very first sentence.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³

There it is, I need to clothe myself with these virtues.  I will never get dressed the same again.  And the last part is even better....

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

So we are going to look our best this weekend by putting on love!!!
 

Lost Tooth

Ryan lost his first tooth last night.  The funny thing is, it's really lost.  It fell out and he didn't notice.  David had to tell him it was gone.  We searched all over and couldn't find it.  Thank goodness, the tooth fairy is very understanding about these things.

If you look close, you can see the permanent tooth next to the missing one has already poked through.  The baby tooth in front is barely hanging on. 

Adam thought he lost a tooth too! 

Mini Me

 

When I took this picture of Adam yesterday, I immediately thought of a picture of Brandon we have in his baby book.   Adam is Brandon's mini me!

Thanksgiving Day!

Happy Thanksgiving 2010!

 Ryan's feast at McKinney.

 David's feast at Tanglewood. 

In Santo

Last Saturday my aunt and uncle (dad's side) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and had a wonderful gathering of family in friends in Santo, Texas.  It was a glorious fall day and the small town of Santo was ever so quaint.   

I thought it was a brilliant idea to display my aunt's wedding dress for the party.

 And the best part...look who we found in Santo, Santa!