Christmas Memories 2011...in pictures...

The joy of childhood...Anna was so happy to get a  hairstyling chair and set for her dolls!

Anna was "in charge" of gf pecan tassies this year...she particularly loved the filling!

Sharing earbuds is fun!

and silly!

Bobalki making by everyone this year!  Now there isn't a bobalki left in the house!

Ronnie, almost 10 years old

Anna, 7 years old

Sara, 16 years old

Meghan, 18 years old

My precious blessings!

Our 25th Christmas together!

My dad and I on Christmas Eve

My missing angel...Gabrielle Nichole!

Twas the night before Christmas!

LEGOs (Ninjago) always make him smile!

She's all grown up...when did THAT happen?!

I had no idea how BIG this was when I ordered it! LOL  (she loves it...can't wait till the movie)

My mom and her girls!

Decorating the tree...it was so nice to have my helpers!  I simply relaxed and "directed"! LOL  And laughed...a lot!

We didn't have a lot of parties and activities this year...which was nice...but we did  do a couple of special activities...took the kids to a special display of over 280 Creche's from around the world...wow....beautiful!

A live Nativity/Journey to Bethelehem was another special outing we had...

Hats were made for winter warmth....

Cousins at Grammy & Buppy's house

The annual "sister picture" with my sisters...

My sister Pam and her twins Justin and Tina..

My mom and one of her Christmas traditions...Polish Blintzes!  Yum!

My beautiful mother and I!

~We had a wonderful Advent season...quiet, simple...focused at home and on preparing our hearts for to celebrate Jesus birth.  Seems what has mattered most to my children has been the nightly devotions, reading, candles, singing...unit studies of the names of Jesus....the 'getting ready' for our savior...makes us want to keep doing this...wanting more of Him...and less of the world...less of focusing on ourselves.

After a beautiful candlelit Christmas Eve service and a traditional Slovak dinner with my dad visiting...we had a quiet, 'silent night'....and a joyous Christmas day!  After cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa....singing 'Happy Birthday' Jesus....stocking were explored...then a tradition we started when our children were very young....3 gifts...hidden....clues read and followed...gathered....gathered around the fire as each one takes turns opening and appreciating each others gifts....the kids always look forward to "finding" their gifts each year...as they 'journey' around the house.  Of course, we now let the little ones read them and figure them out...the big ones just tag along!

Then....after brunch....onward to visit!  We were blessed to visit with Aunts and lots of cousins....many in Pittsburgh from out of town....then more aunts, uncles and cousins....then down to grandmothers for yet more relatives...what a blessing family is!

Now...this week...we'll quietly reflect on the season...as we prepare for the new year...new chances...new blessings...and more visits this week!

As we finish out 2011....what are some ways that you are preparing for 2012?  

May you have a very blessed week!