Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

This yr I decided that it would be okay for Jackson to touch the nativity scene and “play” with it. The donkey kept his tail intact about 5 mins. He apparently “jumped” off the table or something like that. No worries. I said he could touch it and I feel like it is good for him to learn through is play. We can always use superglue. After the donkey lost his tail I decided to put the nativity on an Ikea tray and told Jackson he could play with it as long as everyone stayed on the tray. (this has been remotely successful, unless again people decide to jump off the tray, off the table, etc). Mary has lost her halo-ish thing but no other major casualties.

Throughout the season Jackson has taken liberty to move around the figurines. I have started taking pictures because it is really quite intriguing. He typically has a story to go along with each scene.

These are only a few of the scenes we have seen over the past few weeks. Sometimes the Kings are waiting for a train, sometimes they are all getting rest while it appears baby Jesus is out in the cold.

For those of you that may be offended by Jackson playing with something so sacred to some people, be offended no more. These figurines are nothing sacred. It’s is our Savior, Jesus who is sacred to us!  We have thoroughly enjoyed watching Jackson experience glimpses of our Savior through his simple play with these figurines!

We hope that you and yours have time to behold the beauty of the birth of our Savior!

On Tuesday we had a little family celebration for the little O man! We plan on having a few friends over to do a more formal celebration when Seth’s parents are in town for a visit but we couldn’t resist celebrating on the real day too! After naps we had cupcakes and Owen got to open his gifts. Seth and I had put up a banner and balloons which were a big hit! Here are a few pictures from our family gig!

Jackson worked hard on Owen’s birthday card. He was so proud of it! He drew the whole family, (heads with arms and legs minus the bodies)

a little groggy after nap, checking out his balloons

Owen loved the birthday boy and excitedly pulled out rubber duckies for the bath!

Sweet big brother!

He DEVOURED his cupcake! So much for being a picky eater that doesn’t want to try new things. He LOVED it!

Love you, Owen! Happy Birthday! We are so glad you are in our family!

On December 17th Seth and I celebrated our 5th wedding Anniversary. After fighting the bedtime battle with Jackson we made a big pot of cheese fondue and enjoyed a quiet dinner. In a couple of weeks we are headed to Paris for a few days while the boys stay with Seth’s mom! Can’t wait!  Everyone always says it but in some ways it feels like just yesterday and in some ways it feels like we have always been together. God has been faithful to us and has stood by us through sickness and health!   From Dallas to DC to Bogota to DC to Bern, it’s been an adventure! So glad we are on this adventure together.

First Anniversary in Dallas, Texas 2006

Bogota, Colombia 2007

Bogota, Colombia 2008

Virginia 2009

(HUGE pregnant with Owen. The coat doesn’t help me look any smaller)

And here we are now, Bern, Switzerland 2010

I think I mentioned previously about how my parents send a box with paperwhite bulbs. I don’t know how it made it through our crazy mail system but it did and it has brightened our holidays immensely as we watch them grow! Next to the paperwhite are a small carved wooden cake topper  bride and groom. I was so impressed. Seth went on Etsy and found some wooden ones to keep with the wooden theme of the 5th yr! They are so fun!

Happy Anniversary Seth!