Merry Christmas

Our Christmas was so much fun this year! This picture was taken at the annual McGee Christmas Eve Potluck. Every Christmas Eve goes something like this: Potluck, Nativity (with the help of all the grandchildren) and singing carols, PJ's, and PJ Pyramid Pictures. PJ Pyramid Pictures is my favorite part! We used to be a small enough family that we could have a pyramid with the entire family. But all of the sudden three more kids got married and now we have to do a sibling picture and separate family pictures.

This was Christmas Morning. Well, really the mess afterwards. Leah absolutely loved the rocking chair that her cousin, Maddie, handed down to her and although she isn't sitting in it in this picture we've pretty much had to pry Leah to get out of it since.

Later that morning we went to Matt's parent's house and had lunch and watched movies with his family. Afterwards, we headed over to my parent's house for dinner and an evening of games. It was so much fun to watch Leah opening her presents. It's amazing how in one year, our little immobile baby has come so far and really developed her own personality.

Christmas really is such a wonderful time of the year. We feel so blessed to live lives of such comfort and are so thankful for all of our friends and family.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Oh No!

She's figured out zippers. The end of organization as I know it is over, unless... do you think she can pick locks?

Songs

As you may or may not have noticed I have changed the music on my blog. I feel, as most people do, that music has such a huge impact on your attitude and spirit. I realized today that I have only been listening to Christmas music here and there, mostly in the car and thusly am getting slammed with the idea that Christmas is in 2 1/2 weeks! I don't really ever feel like I'm in the swing of things until I've heard some upbeat Manheim Steamroller song or The Muppets Christmas with John Denver (Piggy Pudding! No, FIGGY Pudding, it's made with figs... and bacon."). So, since my parents are in possession of these records and/or CD's I haven't really listened to them in ages. Now, thanks to the modern miracle of free downloading I can listen to some of my favorite Christmas songs - not all of them because they aren't all available on the internet (once again thanks to the modern miracle of free downloads).

SPECIAL NOTE TO LISA: Do you remember trying to sing along with Barbara Streisand during Jingle Bells? Remember trying to not take a breath until she did?

Favorite Christmas Song

Where are you Christmas
Why can't I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can't I hear music play

My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too

Where are you Christmas
Do you remember
The one you used to know
I'm not the same one
See what the time's done
Is that why you have let me go

Christmas is here
Everywhere,
Christmas is here
If you care,

If there is love in your heart and your mind
You will feel like Christmas all the time

I feel you Christmas
I know I've found you
You never fade away
The joy of Christmas
Stays here inside us
Fills each and every heart with love

Where are you Christmas
Fill your heart with love