Merry Christmas Ya'll!!!!

I love Christmas! I think what I love the most about Christmas is spending time with our famililes! This year Carrie and Andrew were so excited about Christmas, which made it that much better!

A tradition that Michael's family has had for years is to go to his Grandma's house on Christmas Eve night and we all eat dinner together and open gifts. Both of his aunts and their families are there on that evening, so that makes it a lot of fun to be with all of them. Grandma has us play some sort of game, which is usually absolutely hilarious and then we all open our gifts, one person at a time....usually takes forever, but it's nice to see what everyone gets. I enjoy spending time with all of Michael's family!

Matthew, Jonathan, Me, and Jason

After the gifts were opened

We slept until about 7:30 on Christmas morning...we were actually awaken by the phone ringing, my dad had called to see what Santa had left for the kids...so we woke up to find the gifts Santa had left. Carrie and Andrew were very excited to play with the new toys. Then we had lunch with Grandma, Grandpa, Matthew, Christina and Colt and had Christmas all over again with them.

Carrie's Santa

Andrew's Santa

Carrie showing off her new robe

Andrew showing off his Cars

Uncle Matthew and Andrew

After lunch and a little rest we headed to my dad's house where we spent time with my brother, my dad, step mom and step sisters and their families. We had a great time out there. My brother overdid himself this year and gave the kids both handheld gaming systems...thank you, Chandler!

My dad and my brother

Michael showing off his gift Chandler gave him

Carrie showing off her Nintendo DS that Uncle Chandler gave her

Overall, we had a great time with family! I miss our family dearly and every second we can spend with them is a joy!

Cookie Swap

This year a friend of mine, Kathy Meadows, asked me if I was interested in helping her with a Cookie Swap. I immediately jumped on board...I've never attended a Cookie Swap, but I've seen and heard about them and to me it sounded so much fun!!! We all baked 6 dozen cookies..that was a job, I baked Shortbread Cookies and they were yummy!! At the end of the Cookie Swap you left there with about 6 dozen cookies, but of different kinds...there were Chocolate Crackle Cookies, Pecan Balls, Nutmeg cookies, Peppermint shortbread, Jam cookies, and a couple of other kinds, they were all delicious!!!! The best part to me about the Cookie Swap was getting to visit with ladies that I don't see on a regular basis, it was a lot of fun! Already looking forward to next year's Cookie Swap!!!

Jill Stockton and me

Getting ready to get our cookies!

Kathy showing off the wonderful cookies!

Amy Giles and Erin Caudell picking out their cookies!

Christmas Programs

I've had 2 different Christmas Programs to prepare for...one with the Adult Choir, which I sing in and one for the Children's Choir, which I direct. I've been very busy over the last few weeks, it was well worth it, but now I'm pooped!

Michael and I both sing in the adult program, which we performed two nights. It went very good, honestly I was a little concerned about the adult program, but I ended up liking the music and I think it turned out really good.

The Children's Choir also sang 2 songs in the adult program and then this past Wednesday, December 16, we had our own program. I think the Children's program turned out very well. All Children's Choirs were involved and I think it was so sweet! I'm not sure it could have turned out any better! All the choirs worked super hard on this music and it really showed. I really enjoy directing the Children's Choirs...I always get teary eyed at the end of a program...and this program wasn't any different.

Here are a few pictures from the last few performances!!!

Michael dressed up in his bowtie for our Christmas Performance...I must say he looked so very handsome.

Children's Choir performance Dec. 16...there were over 60 kids in the 1st-3rd grade combined choir! God is good!

Carrie's Choir singing and Andrew's Choir is playing the Maracas

Dear Santa...

In Carrie's bookbag yesterday was a letter to Santa that she had written, I just had to share it!

Dear Santa,
I love the presents you give. Andrew hasn't been good, but I have. I want a rainbow castle with princesses, a my Little Pony and a Barbie house. My brother wants a race track. I want to surprise Mommy with mittens and I think my Daddy wants a new truck!
That's all.
Carrie

Of, course I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time as I read this letter...first off I find it hilarious that she says Andrew hasn't been good...too funny! But I find it so sweet that she wants to surprise me with mittens!! I also love that she mentions all of us in HER letter to Santa...she really is a sweetheart! I just had to share her letter...so cute!

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

This is one of my favorite Christmas Carols...I love the words and the message of this song!
Our church praise band did this version of the song in our Christmas Musical this weekend, I must admit I hadn't heard this version! Well, I love this version as well!!! Hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did!!!

Let the basketball begin!

Last night was the first game of basketball season for Michael's 8th grade boys. It was a pretty good game, we ended up losing by 6, which was sad. Michael, of course, blamed himself for the loss, but he learned from some of the mistakes he felt he made! They had another game today, which they ended up losing by 8, but Michael said his boys really played great, he was proud of them today! He feels like maybe they've found the groove and it'll be better after today's loss!

I enjoy going to the games, but I'm having to learn about basketball!! I really like getting to know the kids and let me tell you it is so nerve wracking watching these game...I get too intense sometimes! I'm very proud of my husband and I think he is an awesome coach!!! The next few months will be nothing but basketball and then immediately following will be tennis! It's all sports in the Keown household!!!!!