Christmas 2011

This Christmas season was a little different in the Jones household.  For the first time, I let myself off the hook and didn't inflict any self-pressure to do the regular expected things that I often feel obligated to do.  One unfortunate result of that is that I never made it a priority to write our annual Christmas letter. ( I suppose I could always write one in the next couple of weeks and just have it as our own keepsake).  But the best part of it was that it made the whole season of Advent, leading up to today - Christmas - remain simplified.  Which I discovered that I like.  Alot.  My mind was free & clear, not cluttered up by all of the "stuff" surrounding Christmastime.  And that clarity allowed me to focus on the only reason we celebrate Christmas at all.  A sweet baby boy named Jesus who was destined to be the King of all kings.
We spent Friday and part of Christmas Eve with our families and then returned home in the afternoon to make it back for our church's Christmas Eve service.  This year we started the tradition of being in our own home Christmas morning.  The pictures below will chronicle the past couple of days as we spent time with family and then celebrated Christmas day just the three of us.  *Warning: There are LOTS of photos so you'll need a few minutes. :)

 Lily had great fun hanging out with Aunt Tracy

Opening presents with "Gaga"

 Lily loved taking her baby doll for a ride in the wagon!

 And Jax checked out his new squeaky drumstick toy

 Lily with her uncle Trav

 Breakfast on Christmas morning

You can't tell by this photo but Lily liked her breakfast cake.  The recipe actually comes from John Piper's wife and I plan on making it every year!  It was so good.

 Digging down to the bottom of her stocking

 Jax is excited to check his out too.  

Isn't it sad that our dog is the only one who has a stocking with his name on it?

 Cuddling up to her monkey pillow pet.  She now has a total of 3 pillow pets...all the grandparents had the same idea. :)

 A really big activity/sticker book.  She was mesmerized for a bit.

 The day also included some napping.  Ahhh peaceful. :)

 Lily wanted to take a bath with one of her new babies that has dirt on it and then washes clean in the water.  She loves her babies!

 Then later in the day, during Lily's naptime (which was 3.5 hours!!), I took a nap of my own.  

Which is a rare treat.

And our master chef (not me), baked this wonderful ham for dinner, along with all of our favorite traditional sides.

And that's how we enjoyed Christmas this year.  I think my favorite gift that anyone opened was Lily's Jesus Storybook Bible.  My friend Laura said that she cries every time they read it with their daughter and now I can see why.  The way the author writes and how the beautiful illustrations tie it together helps you understand God's Big Story through His eyes.  Until Lily's at the age where her attention span is more than 2 minutes, I think I'm just going to read this Bible myself every day.  I love it!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” ~ Luke 2: 11-14