Christmas with the Glovers

For some reason that I'm too tired to figure out, these pictures won't be moved around. So, they are all backwards, sorry.


We spent Christmas Eve with Aaron's family (pictures to come, my camera died and the charger is at my mom-in-law's house), and all day on Christmas with my family. We started off with a big breakfast, then opened our gifts, had the Grandstaff's over, and finished off with a big dinner, games, and more presents. After the Grandstaff's left we watched The Nativity Story (which we LOVED) and finally went to bed at about 12:30. Wht a lovely perfect day... Praise God for the comforts of family and friends in the celebration of the greatest gift ever given, Jesus Christ, our Lord.



Esther wearing Kaden's Columbia hat, and playing with her new bath toys and mirror from the Grandstaff's.

Darling girl in her new Christmas red outfit from Grandma Book.

Playing with daddy after a long day of eating wrapping paper. :)

Essie's new gardening tools from Great-Grandpa John and Great-Grandma Juanita.

Mom made Vanessa and I each two aprons, one reversable, and one waist apron. Love 'em!

Esther loved opening gifts. She's a paper monster so she's had lots of practice ripping stuff. :)

Essie loved Grandma's new umbrella almost as much as she did herself.

Daddy helping Esther open new books from Grandma and Grandpa.

Essie helping Grandma open her umbrella.

"Oh Christmas Tree"

Here's some recent photos from Thanksgiving Day (we're at the school by our house):

Essie swinging with Grandma Book

Tristan and Andrew

Susan and Aaron

Grandma Book reading to Esther

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We decided to start a new Christmas tradition this year: cut down our own Christmas tree. There were multiple reasons, including my NEED to have a real tree, Aaron's frugality (it only costs $10, as opposed to $60 or $70 from a tree lot), and we both thought it'd be a fun memory for our kids . We went with my parents, who also cut down their own (for Vanessa's sake). It was lots of fun and Esther LOVED tromping through the woods. We packed a picnic and spent the whole day together. It was a challenge to find the kind of tree we wanted (fir) since there were mostly ponderosas, and of the few firs we did find not many were under 12', which is the height limit. But, we did find some. (Note for next year: Take measuring tape. A tree in the forest looks MUCH smaller than the same tree in your living room!) I think we had to cut 3' off of ours because it was too big around at the bottom, it took up nearly half of our living room.

Our tree, probably just about 12' from the ground.

Aaron dragging our tree to the truck.

Esther, looking darling in her *very* pink (and very large) snowsuit.

Daddy adoring his little girl.

Mom and Dad with their tree. Yeah, hello! The top was like 3' out of the picture! What were we thinking?!?

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And just for fun: