Melkam Gena!

Melkam Gena for those of you who don't know means Merry Christmas in Amharic! They actually don't celebrate Christmas until the 7th of January. Of all our many Christmases to go to, my families is the one I look forward to the most. Of course it would be better if Brent were there but he was talked about and missed all day.
Mother dear always outdoes herself!
Yummy brunch
Nativity store with Great Grandmas felt board....so neat!

the children loved it!

watching daddy open the presents they bought him
presents all the way from CA~thank you Great Grandpa and Grandma Rumble!
story time
opening their new kitchen!
Britton worked half the afternoon putting it together
yummy treats
Dads tradition....grilling salmon over the fire YUM!
nap time
tasty!
supper time
MORE presents!
opening stocking gifts in their matching pjamas

guitar! Just what he wanted!
Gracie does this to all her dolls...she spent a good 45 min braiding her hair
Icecream roll...yummy!

We missed you Brent!

Shopping Trip

Aren't my friends beautiful? Their hearts are even more beautiful! We have had this special trip planned for quite some time.
Every month on the last Wednesday ALL Ohio Thrift stores are 50-75% off! I felt like I bought half of each store and only spent 60 dollars total! I needed clothes so bad and paying $1 for skirts and shirts is so much fun!
The back of the van was quite full!
Supper at a Mexican restaurant...yummy! Carla and Rebecca
Jenni and Me :)

We stayed overnight in Columbus. We played a game and watched "Water for Elephants". Thursday we ate breakfast at IHOP and then we were lazy so we drove to Der Dutchman and talked for a good 4 hours. We got it all talked out :) I crave talking to other Moms about life, God, husbands, and laundry. I think it is so important to have girl talk and get away for awhile. Not always overnight ( cause I missed my babies ) but even a couple hours. I came back refreshed.

Cant wait to do it again! I love each of you!

Happy Birthday Jesus!!

*Brent I missed you so much this year! I thought about you. The room was crowded with busy people talking and chatting and my mind was wondering where you were and what you were doing and if you were thinking of us. So nice you got to call! I missed you so very much! Thankful for our Thanksgiving memories~I love you.
We had a wonderful Christmas! These next few pictures are taken at the Big Fisher Christmas. My dads family. We missed Uncle Wayne this year but he was talked about and we know he is happy with Jesus.
Gracie made some new friends....Alli and Blessing (from Liberia)
so many people! Eight brothers and sisters!
opening gifts
We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day with Brittons family. Baby Makel is getting big!

Everybody loves her!
lunchtime!
sweet baby girl
sitting next to her cousin due in February....another girl!
Every year we do a little felt craft on a tablecloth for Mom. This year I did 5 little gingerbread man. So thankful to have my little family!



Listening to Grandpa Kent read about Baby Jesus
Present time!




Ready for bed in their new pajamas from Grandma. We had a fun weekend. One more next weekend and we are done with Christmases!
So thankful for the gift of Jesus. Words cannot even compare to my thankfulness I feel in my heart. We are so blessed this year. He has blessed and blessed us and we are so grateful.

Big Filbrun Christmas

Last Sunday was our Big Filbrun Christmas. That would be my Father-n-laws family. Its always a fun time. Baby Makell is 3 months already! She LOVED her little stuffed doll.
Brysen Grahm could hardly wait to open his present from Great Grandma!
I've been dodging this remote control car all week!
Carter and Colton opening their presents
What could it be? Another remote control car??? They are having fun with them though.
Gracie is amazed at this gift giving thing. Its sobering to think that she has probably never received a gift for Christmas...thinking of all the other orphans without a gift to open this year.
She got a horse for her barbie!
Brysen LOVES baby Makell!
singing jingle bells
Grandpa and Grandma and their great grandchildren minus 4.

We have two more Christmases tomorrow!