We had a lovely Christmas. We always let the kids dig into their stockings before we get up. It helps to hold them over. 🙂 This year, I added an electronic thesaurus to their stockings. They have been wanting one since watching Mr. Pudewa with IEW. I thought it would be a nice investment. One was free with the Swagbucks I saved, so that helped.

Daddy read us the Christmas story from Luke and we gave thanks for our gifts and many other blessings he has given us throughout the year.

Donnie likes comic books like his daddy, but I don’t care for them. I make sure his are geared towards kids and doesn’t have any bad language or scantily dressed women. I got him a few Spiderman comics and the Good and Evil Bible comic by No Greater Joy. The Good and Evil book was actually drawn by a Marvel artist, so that made it even better. I have been eying it for a while, so when they had it for 50% off, I snagged it.

MaryEllen is into fantasy right now. We dug out our Chronicles of Narnia series that was in her Aunt’s attic last month and for Christmas, I got her the Peleg Chronicles. Little did I know that she was looking at these in a catalog as something she would like to read.

Daddy got us all mp3 players! Donnie and mine are the same (the one on the right) and MaryEllen got a smaller version, but it holds more. This is SO great because now I can listen to my sermons while I iron and I don’t have to worry about bothering the kids while they are trying to study. I know a lot of times, the radio is a distraction for them and I try to put it as low as possible so that I can still hear it. It is hard in the summer with the air conditioner running (window unit) or the dishwasher. So, this is a wonderful gift. The kids can now listen to their music and books on tape too.

We got MaryEllen some carving tools since she has shown an interest in wood carving. I don’t know anything about carving, so I think this book will be great for beginning and the tools too. We need to still purchase some safety gloves.

I think Donnie, if cultivated, could become a photographer one of these days. If not for profession, than for a hobby. He enjoys taking pictures and fiddling with the different setting on my camera, so I got him his own. Actually, I found the one I gave him in my closet many months ago. I was tempted to open and use it, but I didn’t see the need since I already have a camera and thought it would be a good gift. Well, when Christmas was upon us and I was thinking of gifts, I remembered it…perfect. It also does video, which he enjoys too.

MaryEllen got me a Nancy Drew mystery game. I have enjoyed Nancy Drew games for about ten years now. I am now on #26, Tomb of the Lost Queen, which is the one she gifted me. 🙂 Usually these are gifts from Don every Christmas, so I was surprised to get if from MaryEllen. Don did get me some other PC Games, puzzle type games, the ones I enjoy. I don’t spend a lot of time playing games, but I do enjoy one now and then. I do include the kids with Nancy Drew because they enjoy sleuthing too.

Donnie got Don a movie, Total Recall. Don had this one on his wish list, so it was a nice surprise for him.

Later, we decorated the popcorn balls Auntie Reff sent us. It was interesting. You wouldn’t think it would be hard, but I guess I have no imagination. lol! Here are a few the kids decorated.

 

Don grilled us steaks for dinner and I made some asparagus and ramen noodles. We didn’t feel like the turkey thing this year. We ate our popcorn balls for desert.

Earlier this week, I did try my hand at eggnog. It came out pretty good. I do want to try a few more recipes to see which we prefer. I even found a vegan eggnog that I want to try. I haven’t made the fudge yet. When I went to the supermarket, I forgot to get chocolate chips and I bought sweet milk instead of evaporated. Oh well, maybe later.

We had a peaceful time together and finished off the day by watching The Nativity and some of The Gospel of John, finishing it the next day. The Gospel of John is acted word for word, it is pretty neat.

I don’t usually post many picture of myself, especially in my pajamas, but here is one of me and Don. The kids didn’t want me to post any pictures of them. So, maybe if I post more of me, they will be more willing. 🙂

Blessing for the New Year,