This past weekend we celebrated Christmas with Jason’s family. It was great to visit with his sisters that live out of town. We enjoyed playing with our nephew Jack, seriously though who wouldn’t – he’s so fun.

We had a good time going to the Children’s Museum on Saturday. Then Sunday we had a great Christmas dinner and opened presents. It was just great hanging out with family and relaxing. Thanks for a great Christmas everyone. We love you!

Nikki, Angie & Jack going down the big slide at the Children’s Museum

Papa & Jack opening presents – Jack was a great helper

Jason & Nikki smile for the camera

Andy conquering the superplexus, a super cool 3-D puzzle/maze. Its addicting. Both Jason & Andy got one for Christmas. Good thing they opened these last because once they did it was “On like Donkey Kong” – meaning I think they each spent upwards of an hour trying to complete the maze.

Last Tuesday our friends Chad & Libby hosted our annual small group Christmas party. We had a great time sporting Christmas sweaters, playing games, eating great food and enjoying good company. If you happen to notice in the picture Moses is on my shirt. Jason and I couldn’t find any Christmas sweaters so we decided to make our own. Mine says “Moses ate my Christmas sweater”. Fitting I know. Check out all the pictures by clicking here.

Thanks Chad & Libby for being great hosts! The party was super fun.

What you’ve been waiting for. We picked up the crib and good news it really was one this time. Sweet. Jason put it together in less than an hour – handy man that he is. We really like it. And… we went out on a limb and bought our baby bedding too. Here are some pictures. We’ll let you know when there’s a baby to sleep in it.

The crib.

Here’s the elephant bedding. We don’t have a mattress yet … but you get the idea.

Here is a video for my sisters choir concert. Love ya Aimie.

To start this post about a crib I guess I have to do a little explaining.  I think most of you who read our blog regularly already know this but I guess I can make it official by putting it in a post … We’re adopting a baby! Yep. Can you believe it? We’re going to be parents. We are adopting domestically and have already completed our home study and all other requirements.  Right now we are “on the shelf” and are just waiting. For the record, the average wait is a little over the year so we’re not expecting baby Shore to join us real soon but we have started to slowly get ready. Hence the crib.

Deep breath if that was news to you.

Okay to the story.

In honor of Black Friday we did some deal searching and found a crib & changing table that we liked . It fit the bill price wise thanks to a sale and free shipping. We ordered it and expected it in 4 – 6 weeks like we were told. 3 days later a phone call came telling us that our items had arrived at the local store and we could come pick them up. We were totally impressed with how fast our order was shipped and arranged to borrow Jason’s mom’s van to get the crib home.

Jason went to pick up the furniture a couple days later and was shocked at how big the crib box was. It was huge – at least 4 foot by 4 foot. He barely got it in the back of the van. We knew that some assembly was required but holy cow did we have to cut out the planks ourselves out of a sheet of wood? Remember, we’re new to this whole baby thing. And the box said crib,  so it couldn’t be wrong, right? Anyway so I went to work Saturday while Jason decided he was going to venture and put the crib together, handy man that he is. Much to his surprise when opening the box he found a large round kitchen table! No wonder the box was so big. After doubting me for a split second that I’d ordered the wrong thing, he figured out that the company had put the wrong item in the box. Random. So our kid has to sleep on a kitchen table. NO just kidding. We returned it yesterday and they are shipping a new one to our house this time. We’ll post a pictures once its all put together.

Let the adventures in parenting begin. Right?

Its that time of year. We went and picked out our Christmas tree last weekend and we thought we ‘d share it with you.  Merry Christmas!

Here is Jason standing next to the tree at Jay’s Tree Farm

And here is the tree home with all its pretty lights.

Today I had an experience that would only happen at Walmart during the holiday season. I bought something the other day and it ended up being broken so I thought I would just stop by on my way home from plainfield. I walked in from the cold after parking in the last row in the parking lot (that should have been my first clue that this could be bad). I walk over to the service desk after getting my item stamped at the front door with a pink sticker only to see a line of 10-15 people. It is only the 7th of December and there is already a line at the return desk. I waited patently along comes the a lady in her 60’s with a bright purple jacket with neon pink glasses and short hair died fiery red about a month ago because I could see her dark roots. She seemed happy because she kept whistling, humming and sometimes singing loud enough for the two people in front of me to hear. At first I didn’t think about what she was whistling I thought maybe it is a christmas song or a song on the radio until she got to the chorus and starting singing “America! America! … God shed His grace on thee, … And crown thy good with brotherhood…”. The true Walmart experience was complete, a 20 min line in front of a lady with neon ping glasses singing America the Beautiful . What’s your craziest Walmart story? Click on comment below and tell us your story.

I also happened to see Santa Clause picking up some cold medicine. My iPhone was going kinda slow so this is the best image I could get. 

Santa At Walmart

This year our church is doing a series leading up to Christmas called the Advent Conspiracy. The basic idea is comparing what the Christmas season has become in our current culture to what God really intended with the birth of his son. Its a good reminder to step back and examine what this time leading up to Christmas really means and as Christians should we be celebrating different. Below is the promo video that they showed in church. I think its really challenging and encouraging. Check it out and think about how you could celebrate Christmas different this year while truly making an effort to honor Christ.