A Saviour Is Born!!!

What a week of excitement this has been! Broken arms, asthma, laryngitis, and my poor, poor husband getting kidney stones just 2 nights before Christmas! We are just a mess around here! But you can't postpone Christmas so we had the lowest key celebration we have had ever. Poor dad was so doped on pain meds (and STILL in pain and nauseous) that he made a brief appearance for the opening of gifts then went to lay down again...what a man! :) But even with all that craziness we can feel grateful for many reasons. One is that in our struggling economy we have the security of the military and the many benefits...thank you Lord. Second, we have friends and family that are second to none (MANY thanks to ALL of you). And last but not least we have the hope that these bodies are nor eternal bodies and will not house our souls forever...one day we will peel them off and be free from pain and strife. This Christmas I am thinking of HOPE as our theme...as I am sure many Americans are as well. Thank you Father for all you many gifts and most of all for your son Jesus Christ.

Our picture parade:

Thank you Grandpa Thomas and Grandma Ann for Gold tickets to Wild Adventures for the second year in a row. We are all so thrilled we can't put it into words...but these smiles do the talking for us! Look at these girls and their happy faces! What a generous gift!

Kaela holding her Santa gift while I was still snoozing. Look at the barely controlled glee...whee!

Emma holding her Santa gift.

Santa brings Emma a Spyro the dragon game for the Wii.

And Kaela gets yet another Pokemon game for her DS player...hey, as long as I don't have to hear about it all the live long day.

Kaela bought her sister a stuffed and oh so yummy (oops, I mean soft) pig.

Kaela got a pair of Chip and Dale pants from my Aunt Debbie. She is so thoughtful to continue to think of us every year. Thanks Aunt Deb! You're the best! ;)

Here Emma is snugging her new cow from mom and dad.

We decided to get Kaela an artist's pad so all of her artwork could be in one place. She certainly looks the part of a bohemian artist with that bandanna on her head.

Here is Emma with her gift from Aunt Debbie. How fitting for her to wear Eeyore! If only the flip side had Tigger it would be a perfect representation of Emma's dynamic personality!

What in tarnation is THIS?!

Mom did you wrap me up a stick?

Emma's unwrapped "stick" for her room from Michael's Memaw.

A beautiful paint by number sent by Michael's Memaw.

Awww...Eeyore

Kaela, recapping the day with her grandparents, wearing her new earrings. BTW, even though the pictures aren't in this blog entry we are so appreciative of Grandma and Grandpa Ritchey's Christmas gift this year! They gave us the gift of time spent together in Chattanooga by paying our way and putting us up in a hotel with them . That's something that will never spoil and can never be thrown away. Thanks for your thoughtfulness and generosity...some things never change. ;)

Thanks also to my brother Bryan and my sister Dee! You guys are the best! We are going to post the picture of our new piano in February for all to see so stay tuned! We loved your Christmas card...such a cute couple ya 're!

Merry Christmas to All!!!!

Party Time!

Look at the loot these girls brought home from trick or treating! Now it's time for our annual Halloween party, which this year doubled as Emma's birthday party.

The birthday girl with her candy and her new NeoPet "Sprite"

Time for CAKE!!! Wow, Kaela sure seems enthusiastic doesn't she? If she gets any more excited she may fall asleep!

Huff, and Puff and...

blow the cake down!

Bobbing for apples. With such a simple activity you'd think lots of kids would have done this but the girls have never had a friend over who have had the pleasure so it ends up being a huge hit every time.

Trick or Treat

Ah, Halloween on the base...so much fun! The girls had fun but sad to say that Dad had the most fun. Michael made that costume himself (we're very proud of him) and he just loves going out and having about every parent in our neighborhood take pictures of him with their kids. Good times!

Punkin Head

Here is our Emma, being a punkin head!

Kid's Night at Pizza Hut

Here we are at Pizza Hut celebrating the beginning of the school year for Kaela with GVA, and Emma getting on the honor roll this quarter. Tonight was Kid's Night, so there were balloons o' plenty and a fire truck out front for the kids to check out with their "certified tour guide" (Pizza Hut employee). :)

The girls each got a "goodie bag" with stuff like pouches of Teddy Grahams, miniature Hershey bars, and coupons for free cinna-stix. Emma, with her expert taste in chocolate, shows her excitement and approval.

Looking at the menu on the wall.

Kaela enjoying one of her favorite foods (non-meat, of course). The list is short and her menu rotates around about 3 foods. Well, I guess consistency can be a virtue!

The girls after their "tour". They look like a patchwork quilt with all that pink and white!

The whole family

Emma & Her Homework

Here is sweet Emma working diligently on her homework. This year has brought much more of that into her life but she is taking it in stride. You go girl!

Emma & Kaela's Hug

We finally got off our duffs and decided we better take some pictures of the girls before they get all growed up and are gone. Although picture day is always somewhat of an adventure (you're tickling me, stepping on me, the sun's in my eyes, etc.) it is (as Mom always said) totally worth it. Here is the latest of Kaela and Emma together on a balmy Sunday. Awww...after all the fussing, they DO love each other!