Well, we are officially done with all of our Christmas celebrations – our little Sroka family, Josh’s bigger Sroka family, my Smith family part 1, and my Smith family part 2…whew!  Is anyone else tired!

I love Christmas though – seeing all the family, extended family, catching up, playing games, playing dangerous games, and just the togetherness.  Thank you to all of our family for making this Christmas so great for us and our girls.  So, here’s a shout out to you ALL:  Thank you Josh, Emma, Brooke, Ruby (the dog), Nanny & Papa, Nanna, Mom-mom, Mom & Dad, Mom & Michael, Dad & Sharon, Aunt Teri & Uncle Bucky, Jennifer, Wes, Aunt Gail & Gary, Tim & Jill, Aunt Lena, Tony & Brittney,  Bert & Laura, Mackinzie, Delaney, Matt & Emily, Robin & Chris, Maggie, Leah, Matt & Ashley, Jake, Hailey, Becca, and Drew.

Here’s a little peek at what our days were like…

Cousins hugging after opening gifts to each other

Princess Jasmine

Sleeping Beauty

Delaney Mae

Bert with his Marshmallow “MForcer” gun

Matt showing me how his Marshmallow gun worked – yeah right!

Both boys testing out their guns

Emma opening her globe lamp with Amaw

Some of my grandmother’s many snow village scenes

Brooke & cousin Hailey playing with the snow villages

Nanny showing the kids her spinning candle thingy

It spins!

Josh’s favorite gift from Bert – the electric shock game

Josh & Matt waiting for the shock

Maggie getting shocked & Mom laughing

Papa laughing too!

Emma on her scooter

Showing off the accessories

Brooke whizzing by on her scooter

Some of Brooke’s accessories

I’ve been waiting to post this blog for weeks, but I was sworn to secrecy by Aubrey’s parents.  See, they were having these photos taken secretly to use as a Christmas surprise for their family.  So there was a strict no Facebook & no blogging policy!  Well, Christmas has past & I’m just itching to put up a few photos of this little beauty!  Congratulations to Jessica & KC on your new, & lovely, baby girl!

I would like to take this quiet moment – when my kids are sleeping, cookies are cooling, my cobwebs are running scared from me – to wish you all out there in the world a very joyous Christmas.  I know, in my own experience, that these holiday times should feel all warm and fuzzy, but in reality can feel very lonesome.  There are people you can’t see, family  you can’t visit, even things you can’t buy for your loved ones.  I just want to remind you that none of that matters in the light of God sending His precious son, Jesus, to this earth to live & ultimately die for you.  I pray you are enjoying your time with those around you who love you more than you know.  Take time to relax, rest, look around, and notice all the people around you – neighbors, friends, family, co-workers, and so on – who show you every day in small ways that they love you.  This season is about love….God’s love, Christ’s love, your love.  Take some time & share it.  Merry Christmas & I’ll see you in the New Year!

~Mandy

This next mommy you’ll see is my friend Lauren…and my slave-driving personal trainer!  I mean she was almost 9 months pregnant while pushing me around in the gym the last time I saw her.  And now she’s given birth to this beautiful baby boy!

Lauren is such a blessing & an encourager to me while trying to help me reach my health goals that I felt honored to return the favor in taking photos of her dear, growing family.  Her new son was born just a few days after Thanksgiving and just a few days after she & her family moved to a bigger house.  Talk about great timing!  Her dad was telling me the family had Thanksgiving, moved Lauren’s family to the new house, & then she had her son a few days later!

Thank you, Lauren, for all your encouragement.  You are making a lovely momma of two!  You & James will be great with them both!

I met Adele through our daughters’ preschool.  We are working on a special project for Asbury’s upcoming fundraiser & I got the priviledge of working with her.  And I’ll even credit her with turning our family on to Deer Park bottled water delivery!

Adele asked if I’d be able to come out to her house & get some quick photos of her family in time for their Christmas cards.  I said, “Uh, yeah!”  They have such a lovely, warm home.  Not only is it decorated so elegantly, but it just makes you feel right at home when you walk in.  Adele just has a way of making you feel welcome from the start!

Thanks so much for inviting me in to your home & letting me get to know your family better.  I had a great time and you can feel free to invite me back any time!  (*wink wink*).  Have a wonderful Christmas!