Christmas 2009

We had a lovely Christmas. In fact, I think it is one of the best Christmases we have had. John is unemployed and has not had a paycheck since September. We did not think that we would have much if anything for Christmas. But  lot of very kind people helped us either by buying gifts on the kids gift list or by giving us money. My parents bought each of our 7 children 2 very nice gifts. John's sister, Mary sent us a $50 Wal-mart gift ard (They are and have been very poor. We know this was a sacrifice for them.) John's sister Emily and her family gave us around $800 for bills and presents. (We know that they had to dip into their savings for this.) John's brother James sent him some nice things too. We also had a very nice gift from John's sister, Amy. My sister Amy paid our rent for January. We have experienced a lot of miracles this Christmas season and because of the love and sacrifice of our family members, we had a very nice Christmas.

Here's a bit of what we did:

On Christmas Eve we went to Grandma Robertson's with all of the cousins for a BIG yummy breakfast, sledding, graham cracker house building, and visiting. It was really fun. Then we had a dinner at our house with Uncle Seth. Seth left promptly after dinner, and we read the Christmas story, sang carols, hung up stockings and put the kids to bed. We said they could get up at 7am. They were in our bedroom right at 7. We opened presents slowly, played for a while and then had another BIG Christmas Breakfast. We then just played all day, did an easy dinner and sent all of the kids to bed. It was a VERY very lovely and calm Christmas.

Here's the scoop on gifts:
Favorite/most played with gifts: toy swords, dart guns, Plants vs Zombies, baby born
Most Frustrating Gift: Toy swords that began breaking on Christmas day,chocolate candy every where.

Returned gift: PC game for Dad (it had bad reviews and he always wants what he doesn't get. That is why we always wrap the receipt too.)

Ruth with all of her stocking gifts

Here I am with my big nose in the sun glasses (I needed these) from my sweet Ruthy

Joseph loved this gift. We haven't had such a young baby so excited and alert at Christmas as Joseph was.

I just think this is an adorable picture of Kate. I think Johnny gave her the glass cat.

Dart Tag!!!

John thinking about whether this is a gift worth keeping :). It failed the amazon user ratings test. He has until next Monday to replace it or I will buy him another gift.

Anya loved unwrapping. She is a pro too. Gotto love the morning hair !!

Kate unwrapping a DS from Grandma and Rachel dancing in her new dress from Grandma.

Johnny getting ready to shoot.

Adam got dressed right away so he could have a good place to keep his sword.