Living to the Fullest

Christmas is such a special and magical time of year, but it can also get a little crazy for our family. This year is no different from any other but despite all the busyness, I love everything about the Christmas season. This year both boys are so excited about it too which makes everything more magical and special. A lot of fun activities have happened since my last post, so here's a recap beginning in early December. Beware: LOTS of pictures and rambling!

10th Annual Christmas party with my college roomies. Love these crazy ladies!

Brrr! Baby it was cold outside at the Lights Parade downtown, but the boys didn't seem to notice with the anticipation of Santa! All the candy being thrown might have helped too.

My cuties in their (sort of) matching Christmas outfits...

Sam's school Christmas program. Our camera wasn't working well in the lighting, but he's in the front row (sitting down). The one wiggling his tooth! That's pretty much what he looked like the entire night. Surprisingly, he sang his heart out and didn't look the least bit nervous. He was singing so hard that his brow was furrowed and he almost looked angry. Brian and were cracking up the whole time. It didn't help when in between songs during a very quite moment, Carter burst out, "I TOOTED! In my butt!" :)

This year the Kleinheksel family Christmas party was held in Chad & Amber's church gym and it was the perfect location! The boys (adult men included) pretty much ran around the entire time and/or were shooting hoops.

I actually got these two cutie cousins to slow down long enough for a quick pic.

To everyone's surprise Santa Rudy showed up!

Carter wasn't feeling the love

Thank goodness Papa Ron came to save him!

All the Kleinheksel great grandkids...the clan keeps on growing! Hopefully next year Ella and baby girl Velderman will be able to join us too.

Time to open presents! Carter got a Thomas the Train 3D book with flashlight and a DVD. Love at first sight!

Sam got a Transformer. Unfortunately it was too hard for even Brian to figure out, so today we ventured to Target and exchanged it for a skateboard. Oh Lord, help me. He's been riding it all around the house already.

Sam's second Christmas program, this time at church. First, the younger kids held up the letters in "Christmas" and each had a line to say. Sam was the "S" and said, "S is for the salvation that came on that Christmas morn." Again, he was so confident and said his lines nice and clearly. I'm so proud of the growth he's making this year with his self-confidence. Next the kids sang a few traditional songs and then did a reenactment of the birth story of Jesus. Sam was one of the sheep in a stable. During rehearsals he was very excited about his part, but not so much on "game day" when he realized he had to wear a sheep costume!

Last night we had a party at my mom and dad's house with my siblings and their families. We had great food, lots of laughs, and the kids got spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa.

More Thomas trains!...which he has been playing with ALL. DAY. LONG!

Sam got some cool dinosaur crafts from Aunt Jen & Uncle Jon

Miss Mya loved the silly bands from us

Grandma and Grandpa got Sam a drum set! We was so excited and was playing it by 7:20 a.m. this morning and hasn't stopped. At one point today Sam said to me, "Mom, I can't believe I got a drum set! How did Grandma know I would like that?" Gosh Sam, I have no idea! She's a pretty smart lady. "Yeah, she sure is!"

Owen and his momma

Jon & Jen

Papa Ron having a good time

Finally! Grandma Judy got just what she wanted!

After opening presents, the kids ditched the adults and spent the rest of the evening either playing with trains under the table or...

jamming out in the basement!

Did someone eat a little too much candy??!!

Today I decided to take a day off from the "to-do" list and just hang out with the boys. In the morning we (okay, Carter didn't really help) cut out and baked Christmas cookies. Sam was such a big helper and SOOO excited about this little (yet very time consuming) tradition.

For lunch we went to Pizza Hut to cash in Sam's school reading coupon. Daddy surprised us by showing up and joining us for lunch! Then just Sam and I headed to Tarjay for a little retail therapy. I swear, this kid might like Target more than I do! We ended the day back in the kitchen frosting cookies. Sam's enthusiam wore off after awhile and I was left frosting alone listening to the giggles of my little buddies playing trains in the livingroom. Does it get any better than this? I really wish there was a way to freeze time right now. They are both at such fun ages right now, and darn cute too!

Sam and I have been reading a daily Christmas devotional this month and one lesson was about how Jesus always cared for the poor and lonely. It gave the suggestion to make cookies or a gift for the elderly, lonely or poor. Since we always make Christmas cookies anyhow, Sam asked if we could bring some to our next door neighbor ladies, both of whom live alone. He also thought it would be important to bring some to his grandma and grandpa's. Love that kid! He has such a sweet and compassionate soul.

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Final thought: It's so easy during the busyness of this time of year to lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas. I'm trying hard this year to enjoy the fullness of our calendar and all the parties and activities. For "Christ came that we may have life and have it to the fullest" John 10:10. The busyness doesn't have to be looked at as a negative but instead as a direct gift from God, an expression of His love for us and His desire for us to enjoy a full and abundant life.

Whew, if you're still with me...Merry Christmas!