Easter 2007

We had a wonderful Easter this year! For the past 20 years or so, we have had a family (and friends) Easter egg hunt and dinner at my Aunt's house in Collinsville. There is always too much to eat and way too many prizes but we all have a great time getting together (even though the weather on Easter was more like winter time.) At church that morning, we had a special speaker at our church. Miss America 2006, came to speak to us about all the crowns she has won over the years, but how they all pale in comparison to the crown that Christians get when they go to heaven.
Afterwards, she made herself available for people to meet her and get pictures made with her. Of course, Ashleigh wanted to meet her, so we stood in line and the girls got to meet her and have their pictures made with her....


Zachary didn't really care to much to meet her, especially after he found out where she was from.... Jenks.... (for those of you who aren't familiar with this area, Owasso and Jenks are rivals) He also wouldn't dare meet a "GIRL" willingly. hehe

Here are some other pics that we took during the day.

Christmas Traditions

Here are a few of our family traditions.... (I realize some are not traditions since we haven't done them long, but, our family seems to enjoy them!)

One of the things that we do, starting on December 1st, is read at least one book every evening about Christmas. It helps us keep focused on what Christmas is all about. Of course, all are centered on Christ's birth and steer away from Santa Claus. One of my favorites is "One Wintry Night" by Ruth Bell Graham.

Another family favorite is "What God Wants for Christmas".

On the night that we read "The Legend of the Candy Cane", we decorate a small tree with little candy canes. That way, whenever we see the "Candy Cane Tree", it reminds us of Christ's love for us.

(We have a lot of Christmas books that we share together and in a future email, I will list them all, for those of you interested.)

Then, on Christmas morning, before we do ANYTHING else, we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and read the Christmas story.... We did this when I was a child and I have read it since I was old enough to read, and now that I have my own family, and Zach is old enough to read, he gets to read the Christmas Story. It is about the most precious thing you've ever heard, a child reading the Christmas Story for the first time. Then we all get to see what Santa brought and rummage the stockings.

What kinds of Christmas traditions does your family celebrate?