The Keene Family

Thursday was a busy day! First we had a special overnight visitor Wednesday night. Asher spent the night at our house and the boys even have matching pajamas, which made for an adorable picture right before our bedtime popcorn and movie. Thursday morning, we enjoyed the break in the weather and spent some time at the park.   Haley said a new word: rock! Then we packed everyone off to McDonald's for lunch with our goddaughter, Aly. It was her fifth birthday. We can't believe it's already been five years!

Christmas morning, we woke up before the kids. As usual. Well, to be fair, I set an alarm so I could put the cinnamon rolls in the oven and start the Crock Pot mac & cheese for lunch. But Jim woke up all on his own and we opened our stockings and then waited until 8:30, when we heard Haley stir and thought we should get a move on already. Stockings We ate breakfast and read scripture and lit our last Advent candle before we opened presents. Because that's the way I like it, and Jim humors me. Happy Birthday Jesus crown On to the excitement under the tree... Amry Strong for Uncle Jeff What in the world kind of face is that? JT's big gift from us: Imaginext airplane set  Haley got the Pottery Barn Kids baby doll from us, and it was every bit perfect when she opened it. She couldn't wait to get it out of the box. Once out, she immediately snuggled it, began swaying from foot to foot, and patted its back. Oh. My. Then she put the doll in her...

We had a very relaxing Christmas Eve. The kids played all morning while I got the turkey in the oven and made a pear cranberry crisp and prepped the brandied yams for dinner. Then we all took naps (I was fighting a cold). After naps, we got dressed and took our annual family picture in front of the tree. Everyone was well rested and cooperated nicely. :) After pictures, we covered our kids with smocks and ate dinner. I think it was one of my best turkeys yet. You can tell JT is ready to eat! This picture is awesome because Haley has her finger in her nose. We went to a nice church service and, after Haley went to bed, the rest of us enjoyed our crisp with homemade ice cream and watched the original Grinch. Then JT went to bed and Jim and I stayed up and watched A Christmas Story , which has become our little tradition. We usually finish off the wine from dinner and munch on Christmas cookies while we watch, then stuff the stockings and head to bed. Perfect.

We enjoyed a perfectly-cooked prime rib dinner at Jim's parents' house last Friday for our family Christmas. You can tell Haley was ready to eat! Matt & Jen We opened presents after dinner and, as usual, were spoiled greatly. Here I am helping Haley open and sporting my new houndstooth scarf (Roll Tide!). Haley got a magnet art pad and she loves it. She eats primarily right handed but hasn't decided yet on which hand to color with. Her uncle Jeff and cousin Ali are lefties, so we'll see... JT suprised us with a handmade gift he worked on with Grandma Keene. He decoupaged (sp?) a frame with white and silver paper with stars. It looks very nice and is hanging up already with an adorable picture of our two favorite children inside. He wrote the tag all by himself. JT did a great job saying "Thank you!" with enthusiasm and even gave thank you hugs when he felt like it. After he opened his cool new helicopter, he gave out another hug. (H...

Jim and I went to his work's Christmas party last night, and there was an ugly Christmas sweater competition. While my sweater was tacky, Jim's showed considerable effort to be ugly and he got lots of compliments on his ugly sweater and tied for second place. :) We had a great time!