Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Here are some photos of our Christmas Day.

5 family members- 5 stockings! no room for any more on this mantle! (ok- I guess one or two might be able to squeeze in there... but that would be asking for a miracle! haha)

We have started a new tradition of handing out bags of goodies for homeless people all over Seattle. We had done this when Jake was a baby, and wanted to teach our kids the real Christmas "spirit" this year. I think it worked out well. In the bags were things like warm dry socks, hand warmers, water bottles, Christmas orange, candy cane, hand sanitizer, etc. I told Jake this could be one of the only gifts that some recieve this Christmas. It took him a bit to process that. the he asked "well, couldn't Santa visit them?" I told him how they had no home for Santa to visit them at and so he didn't know where they lived. His reply was so sweet. "Couldn't we fill these bags with tons and tons of little pieces of wood then, and they could build themselves homes?"

Here are the kids sporting Nana's glow in the dark pjs. (thanks mom! they love them!)

My only Christmas tree shot, and the kids sporting their Christmas pjs:

Santa's littlest helper (Caleb):

Sweet Cousin, Austin

it's hard being a week old....

the three amigos!

A new man in my life....

There is a new little guy that has stolen my heart.... Caleb Brian Kincaid!! Welcome sweetie! Your Aunty Kerri loves you very much!!

And here is a little picture of my 5 month old, Sammy. He suddenly doesn't look so tiny...

"Happy Holidays"

Here is some art Jake brought home from school. I cringe everytime I hear "Happy Holidays" though- despite how adorable the card and his hand writting is!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Gingerbread house

Here are a few photos from our Gingerbread house making. December has been busy busy busy. I've been making all sorts of goodies for our neighbors, friends, teachers, etc. I think I have made myself so busy that I have not left time to realize how lonely and sad holidays are when I can't be close to my family in Manitoba. So, now that my baking is done and Jake is on school holidays, I have been reflecting on what traditions we should start with our sweet little family- and trying to keep my mind off of what traditions I am missing out on back "home". I think since it has been a whole year since I was home, and there have been 3 additions to the family and another one arriving in a couple of weeks- it's especially hard being here and not there. Anyway- I am praying for and searching for a way to reach out to needy ones this Christmas and give- when we have SO much given to us.

Look Who's Sitting!!!

I'm only 4 months old, but look! I can sit by myself!!! Aren't I the cutest thing you've ever seen?!?!?!

Random November shots

I really have some catching up to do with this blog! Not sure if I am really committed to blogging anymore. I think my time filled up with other priorities right now... like facebook and really important things like that :) It's for you, Julia, that I do this tonight!!

Here is Olivia, all pretty, after doing her own makeup.

and a classic Olivia face....

I took Jake to the school dance as a date. My first school Dance. I can now see why I never went. It was crazy. loud music. rowdy hyper kids. and after about 10 minutes, all Jake wanted to do was eat the sweets that the 6th graders were selling. ahhhhh!!! Needless to say I bribed him with ice cream to go home early! Isn't he CHARMING?!?

Olivia turned 4 in november. here she is on her birthday dinner. we had her friend Lucy over for dinner (Mac n' cheese)

Sammy had his first taste of rice cereal:

(not all that productive)

Dan's Grandpa got married in November to a beautiful lady named Mildred. Livi was a flowergirl! And a very beautiful one at that!

Sweet cousin, Austin!!!

Dan's aunt Becky, Aunt Debbie, and mom.

This was the one photo I am posting from Olivia's party. Check out all the girls!!! We had fun playing games- lots of them! I am so thankful for my friends here that help me out with things like this. A couple of girlfriends stayed and helped me pull this party off.