A PERFECT WEEKEND

It snowed all day Friday.  I don't know anyone who truly LOVES frigid cold, but I also don't know anyone who doesn't think the earth is gorgeous blanketed in a fresh fluffy layer of snow.  Beautiful. 

And so began the perfect weekend ...

I can still hear the walls echoing laughter, chatter and happy times.  From the moment our marrieds walked in with their little girlie - the house came ALIVE with activity and sound.  It was Friday night.  There was lasagne and garlic bread and lemon peppered chicken.  Randy and I went to bed anticipating our weekend with family.

On Sabbath we went to church.  There was a musical program.  Randy sang "Joseph's Song" - and for the 2nd year he held Jaimee in his arms while he sang.  Truly a little more of a gamble this year than last, since this year she is a very active nearly 2 year old - and last year she was a lively, but more manageable 10 month old.

It was every kind of precious (at least to our family - but judging from a teary eye spied here and there around the sanctuary - I think others were touched by it too).  First of all - the song.  Ohhhh.  It is so amazing.  Joseph pondering a child that he knew was not a biological child of his.  A child he could already sense would be the love of his life.  A child that he had the responsibility to raise.  A child that he could only imagine what it all meant.

And then there was Papa holding a blonde little girl with a big ribbon in her hair and a glittery green dress with white fur cuffs and hem.  He started to sing.  She looked at him lovingly.  She touched his face.  She layed her head on his shoulder.  She looked around.  She tried to put chapstick on his lips (she was holding some), as she whispered to him "whips" (lips).  She waved at someone in the congregation ...  and well ... if we can get Papa to cut this little piece of video out of the service video I will post it.

After church we talked to my brother Mark and his wife Bellie.  Mark was very hungry.  We invited them to our house because we had lots of food to eat and could use a few more hungry mouths.  They were a fun addition to our lunch.  (I forgot to set the left over lemon chicken on the table, I warmed it up so Bellie could have some.  She likes chicken.)  They went home, we put the dishes in the dishwasher and plugged in the crockpots of soup for the evening.

After Jaimee's nap, she got to open her presents.  We didn't do an exchange all around because we had just had a great vacation to Florida - so it was all about the little one.  She didn't know exactly what to do at first, but soon got the hang of it and seemed to LOVE gift opening!  She got a dollhouse, a baby doll, a shopping cart, an Arial 'Barbie' doll -- which upon opening she exclaimed "HERmaid" instead of Mermaid!

Around 6:30 or 7 p.m. our family began to arrive for REINDEER GAMES! 

REINDEER GAMES?  - it includes food (thank you Joy for bringing pretzel sticks!!), family, fun and a super secret mission each year!    I can't divulge a lot of details - but it was super fun! 

Rhiannon, Ryan and Jaimee had not yet met our newest family member - Tanner.  They were sick at Thanksgiving and couldn't come.  They all think Tanner is about the cutest little man on earth.  And EVERYONE thinks he is a mini-Josh!  Being told that Tanner is Reese's brother, Jaimee thinks he is her brother too.

Because of an oversight, we had to amend our super secret mission which ultimately allowed even more family in on the super secret mission.  When the super secret mission was finished, we began other evening fun. 

MANY of these pictures were taken by Bellie and Mark - I plagarized them!  I only got a couple of good pictures on my camera *frown*.  I hope they don't mind me sharing them!

We dressed the Claus's.  The girls were a team.  Each team was given access to the exact same supplies - wrapping paper, tape, pins, clips, ribbon, etc.  Fifteen minutes was the time frame.  The boys were to dress Mr. Claus, the girls were to dress Mrs. Claus.  I don't know exactly what went on in the front living room (green carpet) where the guys were.  But I know there was a huge flurry of activity in the family room (tan carpet).  When the timer rang - even the guys conceded that the girls had won.  Colton was Mr. Claus (as you can see in the pictures above) and Maggie was Mrs. Claus.  She was adorable!  NO DOUBT!

Bellie brought her Karaoke machine - which is very awesome.  Somehow it connects to your TV and speakers.  All you have to deal with is a microphone.  On the microphone you can tap in the numbers of one of THOUSANDS of songs and it is ready to go!  Some of our group are pretty good.  I'm not one of them!  But I had fun trying and they didn't kick me out!

You'll have to watch this You Tube video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRiP5EiS240
I wish I had grabbed Rhiannon's phone earlier - to record more of the song and dance!  When I got around to it - much of the song had gone by and our latin dancer was tired!  She's been taking ZUMBA for a few years off and on ... that's an exercise class that does latin dancing for their routine ... whew!!  I don't know why the movie is on it's side!?  But you can still get the effect!  I promise there was nothing stronger than diet gingerale served at this party!

I feel as if I'm failing miserably at describing how great of an evening it was.  I have smiled inwardly and outwardly ever since.  Thank you to my wonderful family -- I love each and every one of you more than I can say.

Thank you Jesus for coming to this earth for me, for my family, for everyone!  I pray the Holy Spirit comes to each person I love and stirs our hearts with a yearning for Him.

Holiday blessings to all my family and friends!
V