Christmas 2011

I feel like our Christmas celebrations have just now, come to an end.  Now, I get to tackle the mountain of laundry, pack away the decorations, and try to get our lives back into some sort of normal routine.  Unfortunately, the girls don't go back to school until Wednesday, so the routine has to wait a bit. 

We loved all of our celebrations, but this was the first year we didn't travel on Christmas day.  It was great staying in our pajamas all day.  In fact, I liked it so much, I'm still in my pajamas today (its 2:00 pm). 

Here is a quick recap of our festivities.  We started by celebrating with Will's family.  Here are a few shots from that.

Will's brother, Blake, Will, and Will's brother, Patrick

Next we went to Oklahoma City to celebrate with my grandma's family.  This is the Butler Christmas I wrote here. Taylor sang three songs with great conviction, but Emma didn't feel up to it.  She did sing Jingle Bells with Taylor, though. 

My mom, cousins Cooper and Peyton, Aunt Cathy, and Will with Cooper

Men, Will and Me, my sisters, and My second cousin Sammy with her new husband, Tyler.

We finished with my family, but Will was in charge of those pictures, and they all pretty much look the same.  Here is one that I like though.

Will reading to most of the grandkids.

This was the first time we didn't do Christmas in Oklahoma City with my family.  My grandpa passed away this year so we moved the festivities to my parents' house.  There were parts that we missed (mainly my grandpa), but it meant that all of my family got to be together.  It has been several years since my sister, Crystal's family, has been with us.  It was nice having everyone (Aunt Cathy, included) all in one place.


P.S.  I promise to take the Christmas music off soon.

Butler Christmas

I have mentioned before that I am a deeply traditional person.  There is one tradition that I'd like to share because it is my favorite.  It is a Christmas celebration with my maternal grandmother's family - The Butlers. 

It started years ago, when my mom was a kid.  My grandma's brothers and all of their families get together and have a party that always brings me to tears.  It used to be at my great grandma's house, but when she passed away, it moved to my mom's Uncle Keith's house - it has been there ever since.

We start with lunch.  Its loud, crowded, and chaotic, but I love it.  I love getting to talk with cousins, uncles, and aunts.   I love hearing the laughter from family as they recount old stories, tell bad jokes, and watch the kids play.  I have warm fuzzies just thinking about it!

After lunch we do a talent show.  Its mostly the kids, and now the grandkids, but a few "adults" join in occasionally.  There is singing and playing instruments.  We've even seen some sign language and some dancing. 

Every man in the room follows by singing "We Three Kings", but they substitute "three" with the actual number of men.  The talent ends by us singing "The Hallelujah Chorus".  We sing while we watch an old VHS tape of my Uncle Ralph accompanying us on the piano.  Its a real treat when he's there and we get to listen to him in person. 

Someone reads the Christmas story from the Bible, we remember any family members we have lost during the year, and we close with a prayer.  Pure sweetness. 

We then have an adult gift exchange game and the little ones open gifts.  That's it.  Its the same every year.  Every single year.  It could not be any more perfect.

We'll be stopping in Oklahoma City for this celebration on Saturday.  I'm looking forward to posting new pictures of my kids singing.  They've been practicing for weeks. :)

I'm leaving you with the earliest picture of me that I could find from this great tradition.  I know there are more, but they're all at my parents' house.  Go ahead and notice the sweet mullet and matching sweatsuit with my shirt tucked in.

Christmas Moments

Below is a list of "ornaments" I have found on the tree this year.  I'm sure the list will grow as the season continues.

necklaces

bracelets

wiki-sticks

pipe cleaners

My Little Ponies

tiny princesses

belts

paint can opener

key rings

The girls had a Christmas program at school last Friday.  We were all so excited.  They did great!  They are definitely little entertainers.  It must run in their blood.

You know the Postal Service commercial where the guy is in the little house making snickerdoodles?  Well, the girls spent an entire evening playing that they were making hankerdoodles.

We went looking at Christmas light displays last night and while watching one of the displays with corresponding lights and music, Taylor said "the lights are dancing!"  Emma said, "Wow!  How can they hear the music?"

I really love this stage.

The Gift of Music

I was laying in bed last night thinking about my favorite Christmas presents.  You know, the ones I actually remember opening, being excited about, and using for years to come.  The only ones that come to mind are as follows.  New Kids on the Block tape when I was 8,  sterling silver necklace with music notes on it when I was around 10,  a radio/CD/tape player when I was 14, and a radio/CD player for my car when I was 17.

I don't still have the tape, but I do have the same album on a CD.  I don't still have the car stereo, it went with the car, but I do still use the other stereo and the necklace.

I have received a lot of gifts in my life (I can't believe I'm 31), but remember very few (which reminds me that what I give my kids really isn't that important).  I believe that the items I remember were important/special for one connecting reason: music. 

I think that music is one of the most wonderful gifts that God has given.  I don't think there is a moment in my life that passes without the involvement of music.  I like all music.  I think each style has an appropriate time and place.  I think music often says things that we just can't put into words.  Most importantly, music is my preferred method of worshiping my savior.  I relate to that little drummer boy.  "I have no gift to bring, to lay before the King.  I played my drum for him.  I played my best for him.  Then, he smiled at me.  Me and my drum."

A lot of people HATE Christmas music, and I understand why, but as for me, I LOVE it!  I get one month - ONE MONTH people, to listen to music that will be put back on the shelf for a year.  I, and other Christmas music lovers, have to take full advantage of this opportunity.

SO...I guess this post has a few messages and reminders in it.  Make your gifts special and memorable.  They don't have to be expensive, fancy, or even material objects at all.  They could be your time, your services, handmade, or bought, just make sure they fill a purpose and matter.  Really THINK about the person you're giving to.

Also, give Christmas music a chance.  Some people really dig it.

Hair

The girls have needed a haircut for a while, but we don't have someone here in town that I trust to do it, so I just kept putting it off.  I have a few friends that cut their kids' hair so I thought, okay, I'll just give it a try.  Below is a picture of the finished product.  I had no intention of cutting Emma's hair that short, but you know how it goes.  It wasn't even, so I just kept cutting!  It doesn't look that bad, just don't look too closely from the back.

Don't Bert and Ernie look pretty?

 Also, I've decided to grow my hair out, which means more straight days and less curly days.  Unfortunately straight causes me to find more gray hairs.  Very sad, indeed.

2011 Christmas Letter

*To cut printing costs this year, I am posting this to our blog.  Only those people who do not read our blog will actually be getting one in the mail.  If you are reading this, you are super cool and hip with technology.  Way to go.

December, 2011

Hello Loved Ones!

Well, another year has come and gone. Hmmmmmm...it goes so quickly. I'd like to believe that we have all grown older and wiser, but its possible that we're just older. Our lives continue to be a whirlwind of excitement and chaos. We thought we'd take a moment to fill you in on the important details of our family.

Will continues to work in the construction business, although in a different way. He started working for a new company this year. He helps repair and remodel homes that are going to be resold. He was not looking for a new job, but has been blessed by the opportunity to work here. He likes the work he's doing and the consistent hours. 

 

Emma and Taylor are 4 and started “real” preschool this year. They go three mornings a week. They really like their teachers and are so excited to show me what surprises they have in their backpacks when they get home. They still love princesses, dressing up and doing crafts. They are learning how to navigate this world together as twins, yet working hard to be individuals. I wish there was a way to slow things down and I try not to think too hard about the next few years. (sniff, sniff)

I am still a stay at home mom. With the girls starting preschool, I have three mornings a week to myself. Even with those mornings, I still feel like there's never enough time. I sing once a month on the church worship team and started leading a Bible study. I also babysit an 11 month old once a week. 

 

A few months ago we adopted a new puppy, named Winnie. She is German short hair/lab mix. Oscar, who is seven now, is happy to have a friend to play with, but is easily annoyed by her never ending desire to be with him.

This holiday season we want to express our love to each of you. We hope that you are able to take time to look past the lights, gifts, and revelry of the season and reflect on what is most important – the birth of Jesus Christ. Not just a baby in a story, but who he really is and what he came to do. Salvation from the King. What a precious gift.

We wish each of you a very Merry Christmas.

Love,

Will, Alisha, Emma, and Taylor

http://www.alishaandwill.blogspot.com/