Happy 89th Birthday!

I'm a little late in posting this, but my grandmother turned 89 years old the day after Christmas.  You wouldn't know that she is 89 by looking at my grandmother or checking her calendar.  She looks young and stays busy!  She attends chair aerobics weekly, doesn't miss church unless she is sick, visits with friends, and quilts in her spare time.  She also loves to read Christian fiction and I love to trade books with her.  The past two years she spent her birthday in the hospital for various health issues so we couldn't let this year pass without a party in her honor!  Three of her four children, two out of ten grandchildren, and 4 out of 8 great-grandchildren were in attendance at her party! 

Happy Birthday Grandma!
We love you.

Cheering for the Saints

This has been a huge sports weekend in Louisiana!  

As we speak, we are gearing up to cheer on the LSU Tigers in the BCS championship.  To be honest, we aren't HUGE LSU fans but we do like to see them win.  So Geaux Tigers!! 

When it comes to the NFL we are HUGE Saints fans!  One of the reasons we love them is because of their quarterback Drew Brees.  He is a top notch, classy, outspoken Christian man and we love to see him give glory to God in his all of his victories. Sunday was the 1st round of the playoffs and the Saints beat the Detroit Lions with Levi cheering them on. We are hoping the Saints will make it back to the Super Bowl and be the National Champions once again.  

Hopefully, we will soon be singing "Oh When the Saints Go Marching In."

Geaux Saints!!

 

Duck Slayers

During the Christmas break, Matt and Levi have spent some quality father/son time together.  They have enjoyed several cold, early morning duck hunts.  The ducks haven't been flying much but they were able to kill a few.  Please don't report them to PETA!! 

This is a way of life in Louisiana and my boys love it!

Love these facial expressions as he tells me about his wood duck and asks if he can keep the head.  Instead of keeping it, we had a proper burial but I think the cat has already dug it up!

Annual Christmas Photo Shoot

Christmas Day

Our morning started about 7 am when the kids woke up to see what Santa left.  I always get excited about seeing their facial expressions and hearing their giddy voices. 

They didn't let me down!

First, they checked to see what Santa left. 

Claire and Levi must have been on the good list this year because Santa left roller skates, Xbox 360 with Kinect, American Doll named Kit, matching clothes for American Doll, and a Bop-It.

Lucy even got in on the action!

They were eager to open gifts next.

Levi was the gift bearer.

Levi loved his boxers with the skunk saying, "It wasn't me!"

Pajamas are a traditional Christmas gift in our family and this year both of the kids received the Jesus Calling devotional for kids.

The delight is evident on my face as I opened a Canon Rebel T3.  Now I just need to take a class to learn to use it!

After gifts we enjoyed this yummy breakfast casserole!

 

 We were excited that Christmas fell on a Sunday this year!   What better way to celebrate Jesus' birth than with those who we love to worship with.  Worship was very moving and meaningful.  Our family lit the final advent candle which is the Christ candle.

Following worship, we headed home to welcome our family members who were coming to celebrate the rest of the day with us.  Our menu consisted of Turkey sandwiches for lunch and Gumbo (that's what we eat in Louisiana on Christmas Day if we are tired of turkey) and finger foods for supper.  It was all delicious and our bellies were stuffed.  Our family reflected on what Christ had done for us by leaving His throne and coming to this earth as a babe. Then Claire and Levi entertained us by singing some of their songs from their Christmas musical.

The Endris family

The DeBusk family with my Grandma Ortego

The Gumbo Chef

My brothers
 and my sister in love.

All because two people fell in love.

It was a blessed Christmas celebration!

Twas the Night Before Christmas

...and all through the house.

Rolling..

 Cutting...

 Decorating...

The cookies are ready and waiting for Santa!

Dear Santa,

First, I made a giant cookie for you and it had a SC on it but is is gone bow because someone ate it.  Second, may I have Rudoulth's paw print?  Last, you can look at the letter I forgot to send to you.  P.S.  I have a cat and 2 dogs if you could please see if you have something for them.
                                                                           Love,
                                                                               Claire Bear

 Please write back to Levi.  All I want for Christmas is my to front teeth.  it is ok if you don't got them.

Egg Nog is the drink of choice for Santa at our home. (non alcoholic, of course!)

After baking cookies and putting them out for Santa, we began taking our traditional Christmas Eve photos.  We always have several outtakes because we have to use the self-timer.  It's always an adventure!

Where's Levi?

Silly boy!

Finally!!!  We got a decent one.

Just for fun, we like to do a silly face shot.  I love this one because Matt looks like a reindeer with Claire's feet behind him!

 We went to bed with visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads!