My Favorite Christmas!!!

Jonathan and I got up and got ready for church. We enjoyed a wonderful "Christmas Eve" service with a message of, "What Child IS THIS?" ( Very Good, thanks Bro.Herring)

When we came home Jonathan locked himself in the office and wrapped all my gifts. Bless his heart he knows I love to Open Paper wrapped gifts vs. opening a bag. So he tried to wrap most all my gifts. (This man spoils me to the uttermost. He has been giving me gifts since yesterday, than had to go buy more gifts for me last night. Even though I told him not to.)

Finally he emerged with arms full of wrapped gifts and a big boyish smile that melts my heart!! We had fun opening gifts. I got lots of scrapbook stuff, digital scales(Our fist and formost New years reselution), "organic" sheets (incredibly soft!!!) lotions, Dove body wash (smells great), Dove chocolate bar, Springform pans, living room clock, cook book,perfum and several other things. I got him a new outfit (burgandy sweater and brownish pants), a Colts T-shirt, and a Portfolio organizer. (to help him with his/our other new years reselution.)

We than enjoyed cold cuts, BBQ meatballs, cheese ball and summer sausage, nacho cheese and chips. Lets just say to much food and we bearly ate any of it.

Then after a "long winters nap" We started to watch a Christmas movie then decieded to hop in the car and look at Christmas lights then we came home and finshed our movie. It was a delightful Christmas with my WONDERFUL HUBBY!!! Darling, your truly the best Gift (besides Salvation) that God Has given me. I Love you!! (PS> Please mind the "PJ attire" in our Pictures)

Christmas 2

Well next Christmas was in Anderson at Grandpa and Grandma Hilligoss. We had alot of good food and we sang several carols together. Also the highlight of the evening was seeing and holding (or as my Aunt Tracy said "Baby Hogging") little Baby Lilliana!!!! She is a doll. She is a little over 2 weeks old. Danny and Tasha are her young but loving parents. I also got to meet my cousines new husband, Prentice. He was a very nice and dashing man.

Christmas 1

Collingsworth, Hilligoss, Lavy, Baker, Thompson Christmas was last night!! Boy did we have lots have fun. We had great Papa Johns Pizza and breadsticks, with Garlic sauce included...and several different dips and cheese ball...Red Hot popcorn (quite addictive: thanks Aunt Kim!) and my mom's new punch. Which was festive. But one or two sips was enough for me. (Sorry, mom:( )
We also went caroling at the "Commons" were my grandma and grandpa stayed. It was really enjoyable. We went into a different ward and sang for several older ladies and a gentleman. Brandon and Brooklyn stepped out at different times and sang solos. (Jonathan is waiting for his next year. LOL)
We also played a GREAT game of Mad Gab. I will be honest I was not a big fan of the game until after last night. But we had played several rounds and even had about 6 TIE BREAKERS!!! Finally "Yours truly's team" WON!!!! (Way to go Lowell, Dad, Brooklyn, Danette and my self...along with our Party poopers but great cheerleaders, Jason and Jonathan)
I have inclosed 2 Mad Gab lines that my wonderful uncle Lowell made up! I will enclose the answers in a new post. Say them out loud it will help you get it better!! HAVE FUN.

1
MR puppies
MR not Puppies
OSAR Puppies
CMP

2
I M WEE TODD ID


Christmas was great and a good time was had by all,
I think Jonathan really liked his gift, what do you think?

Must have Christmas goodies

The wonderful time of Christmas at my family includes a host of wonderful, tasty, "fat-free", and delicious goodies. I would actually like to dedicate this post to Allyson Lavy. My wonderful cousine....she has a "Love affair" with Chocolate Buckeys. So the rest of this list of "must have Christmas goodies" (some Pictures included) is for you Ally!!!

Pictures from top left to right: Oreo balls (lacking the white chocolate I dip them in.) Ritz PB Crackers with white Chocolate.

Bottom left to right: 1.Peanut cluster, 2.Buckeyes in the middle of all the goodies, along with sugar cookies and a few other goodies. 3. white chocolate ceareal mix.

I also TRIED to make carmels this year. They turned out as long as you don't mind warming them up in the Microwave for approx. 10 seconds. Lets just say they were a little more trouble then they were worth.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

This christmas season has been fun. Jonathan got me a complete new outfit that he picked out all by himself. I was shocked, and the skirt and sweater werejust georgeous. He also took me to see the, "Christmas Carol" at the IRT. It was really neat.
I also went to UBC Christmas program. It was very touching. Plus going out with friends afterwards to Chili's. (Who can forget the drunks!!! :) ) Thanks to Jennifer, Phil, Andy, Jonathan, and Jananne for the memories.
So a veryMerry Christmas from Jonathan and I , and before the hustle and bustle of the Christmas weekend set in, I trust you take a moment to ponder the true meaning of Christmas and may you move closer this coming year to "the manger"! Luv you all and may "God bless us everyone"!

I wonder....

Oh Come All Ye Faithful Joyful and triumphant,
Oh come ye, Oh come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,Born the King of Angels
Oh come, let us adore Him,Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,Christ the Lord.

Oh Sing, choirs of angels,Sing in exultation,
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
Oh come, let us adore Him,Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,Christ the Lord.

All Hail Lord, we greet Thee,Born this happy morning,
Oh Jesus for evermore be Thy name adored.
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
Oh come, let us adore Him,Oh come, let us adore Him,
Oh come, let us adore Him,Christ the Lord.

This song is familiar to all I am sure. But this Christmas, music has seem to hit me in a way that it never has before. Christmas music that is. I csn Imagine the angels in Heaven, think of the stir that came on when God presented the plan that He was sending his to earth. Do you think there may have been a stir?? But when it was done, was there 9 months of waiting? Or was He in heaven the whole time? I wonder if they had to wait to see him, maybe that is why the angels were so excited in their singing and proclaiming the new baby Jesus? Who knows, but this song makes me want to shout to the mountains proclaiming Jesus as my Lord.
Can you imagin going to the stable??? I mean we always picture a clean stable with bright hay, maybe a damp smell in the air. And just a few animals, possibly a cow and of course a donkey and possibly some sheep. And don't you picture Jesus all wrapped cuddly warm in a white cloth? But quite possibly it was not quite so "Picture perfect" as crude as that what me may think. I mean the stable was most possibly a cave and think of some of the stench!!! And the wet hay. Also she wrapped swaddling clothes, could that have been extra material she had brought with her?? Or did she find the clothes in the stable? Do you think Mary knew that her time would come in Bethlehem? Maybe she had some clothes that she had made for him. I don't know, but the King of all the ages was there lying in a manger. Can you imagine how precious the face of Jesus was? A new baby just minutes old, cuddled in the arms of Mary. Now I don't have children yet, so I can only imagine the feeling that courses thru a mother when she first lays eyes on her newborn child, but think of Mary... SHE KNEW WHO THIS BABY WAS!! Just the thought of starring into the eyes of JESUS, a helpless baby.
I really need to stop. Just some thoughts. What do you think, what do you wonder about when it comes to the Christmas story?? Leave me a note and tell me. (PS> Brenda hope you don't mind I borrowed your picture. Thanks.)

Indianapolis Christmas

The day after thanksgiving we went downtown Indianapolis and saw the Soliders and Sailors Monument Tree lit up. It was a cool show. We took our friend Jonathan with us. (kind of a confusing night for me one was called Babe and the other Jonathan)

Oh the weather outside is FRIGHTFUL!!!!

Most of you know that I am a court runner for the law firm I work at. Last week had to be one of the coldest weeks so far this year. I really bundle up for the event. I walk about 5 blocks one way to the courts 2 times a day, plus approx 3 blocks to and from my car. So that is roughly 26 blocks in the cold. Now don't go feeling to sorry for me, think of the calories that I burn!!! (Gotta think on the upside) In this picture Jonathan got carried away putting all my scarves on me. But gives you an idea how I might look out on the street. Aside from being one of the few ones in a skirt in downtown Indy, you would probably not know it was me in my.."Court Running Attire"

thankgiving 2006

This thanksgiving all of us were togather all Collingsworth, Hilligoss, Lavy, Thompson and the newest family the Bakers!!! It was a great time, and many memories were made by all. I think some of the memories lingered on to the next week. (It was a rough football game or so I am told.) Kim had to bring out something in honor of Grandpa. I think if God let grandpa peek in on our thanksgiving this year, he would have gotten a good chuckle out of the funny singing turkey. Lot's of good food was eaten and even a loud but fun game of Tabo was played. Family time has got to be my most favorite thing about the holidays.

A special Nephew

my precious little nephew!!! Isn't he a doll? He is one of the smartest little kids that I know, seeing him grow up has been so wonderful. I had the priviliage last weekend to have him in my Jr. Church. I do think it was one of the best services ...it was so fun to look down and see him. He calls me Aunt Nella. Jonathan and I have so much fun with him at Christmas time. Here Devan is enjoying a new found hobby playing "Loopin Louey" He decided he likes "Hungrey Hippos" better. I luv being an aunt...he is such a special nephew.

Christmas tree

Got a new tree this year...not real happy with it, but it turned out ok. I think next year I am going to try to focus more my theme on just snowmen, instead of the wide varitey of Music, angels, and snowmen. But I do love the colors. Merry Christmas!!!

These are "MY KIDS"!!! They are such a good group, and really smart. The one that is being onrey, I am very proud of. He can be a handful and a little bit of a Know-it-all, but with little to no help he was able to recite all of the 10 Commandments!! We had been going over them for about 6 weeks and I put out the challange that a prize would be given if you could recite them, in any order. He came thru with Flying colors....and I was so proud. The rest of the kids brighten my life and make me feel like I am doing something right for the next generation. Kids are so much FUN!!!