Fun with the Philleys!: Merry CHRISTmas!

Well, since today is New Year's Day, I figured that I am done with the CHRISTmas season and I can post pictures now. Well, that and I am taking all of our decorations down! We had a very fun, enjoyable and LONG CHRISTmas season this year. We had gift time with Lee's family on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th (twice). Then, we were supposed to travel to MS to see Jennifer's family on the 27th, but precious Avery got yet another ear infection (three in less than 8 weeks), so we cancelled the trip and Jennifer's parents and brother, Brian, came for three days. So, we celebrated with them and had New Year's Day with them as well. Ann Alyse is thinking that we open presents every day now.

We did something different this year with presents, though. Ann Alyse and Avery only received three presents from Mom and Dad and from their grandparents. We did this first so that we would not have a myriad of stuff piling up since they are both already very blessed in the toy area of life, and secondly, we did this to sybolize the tree gifts the Magi brought baby Jesus on His birthday. Ann Alyse loves to sing happy birthday to baby Jesus and loves to say the gifts that He received....gold, "franksense" and myrrh! It's very special to be able to have fun with santa, but really focus on the real reason we celebrate CHRISTmas!

The girls both had a blast and I think we are settling down from a very hectic week. Avery is better and we now have lots of new and exciting things to play with! We pray that your CHRISTmas was wonderful and that this new year will bring God's richest and most abundant blessings to you and your family!