Christmas Pictures

We had a wonderful Christmas season this year, and we were fortunate to be able to spend it with so many friends and family that we love!  As usual, I don't feel like I took near as many pictures as I should have, but I took enough for us to be able to look back and remember how precious our two kids are, and to be reminded about how quickly they are both growing up!

Below are pictures of the kids with Santa Claus at the Kids' Christmas Party with our church.  As you can tell, Lane was recruited to play Santa again, which usually doesn't work too well, since all of the older kids announce to everybody that it's really just Lane, and then it kinda spoils it for the other kids.  Oh, well!  Dane did well and smiled nice for the camera, but Sydni was deathly afraid of Santa, and this is the best that I could get of her.  It was so funny.  She started screaming before I put her in Santa's lap, and she basically jumped out of his arms!  Maybe she'll have more fun with him next year.

The kids got all dressed up in their Christmas best for church the Sunday before Christmas, and I took these really sweet pictures after we got home.  I love getting these pictures taken each year with them.

We spent Christmas with the Brown side of the family this year, so we made special arrangements with Santa Claus for him to come to our house a night early, since the kids had been so good this year.  My mom and dad came over to go to church with us that Wednesday night, and when we got home, the kids got to open up one of their presents from Lane and me - their new Christmas pajamas.  Then we had a holiday dance party and got Sydni put to bed.  Then, Dane helped me get the cookies and milk out, and we wrote Santa a note on the marker board.  Then, it was off to bed!

Dane came up with what to say to Santa, and I just transcribed it.  This is also the first year that he signed his own name all by himself.  He is really doing so well with his writing skills lately!

Santa finally arrived and left a wonderful load of loot for us all, except for Lane, who got switches and coal in his stocking this year.  It didn't surprise me a bit!  Dane's big present this year was his VSmile Cyber Pocket hand-held game system, with several games to go with it.  He also got a Cars Race track, an adding machine to use as a cash register, some legos, the game Perfection, and Die-Cast Metal Optimus Prime.  Sydni's main gift this year was a kitchen for her room, with pots, pans, dishes, table and chairs.  Her Nana and Pa Pa got her tons and tons of play food, too!  So, she can whip up just about anything you might be hungry for right in her own room!  She also got a Baby Alive doll, a doll stroller, and some furniture for her doll house. 

I was super excited because Dane got me a basketball goal, which I have wanted for so long!  I can't wait for warmer weather, when I can get out there and play all the time!

After opening presents at home, we headed out for Houston, to spend a couple of days with Lane's side of the family, and we had such a great time.  It was a very special Christmas!  As you can see, Sydni was konked out!