Do you have a Clue?

We all got great things for Christmas. I got a new camera. I don't have to ask Bert or Jacqulin to borrow theirs anymore. So now I have snapshot fever! Displayed here are some of my favorite Christmas presents: Brad Paisley tickets -Woo! Hoo!
My favorite boy under 40 years of age! Not a Christmas present but still a favorite
Clue - It was done in the kitchen by Mrs. Peacock with a wrench - or was she the one who got the wrench?

Christmas Aftermath

We didn't pay attention to a candle. It happens so fast. Before we knew it there were flames 2 feet tall on my kitchen table. Thankfully, Bert pounded it out with a wet towel. We have one less Christmas table cloth and a nice reminder on the kitchen table. Thank goodness for placemats.







Bert has worked and worked and worked. Luke has watched a lot of TV and made a lot of videos. Jacqulin has played Webkinz and tried to not say she's bored. You have to pay me a $1 if you say that.

To Believe or Not?!!

Jacqulin had a difficult year this year. Several girls at school had really questioned if Santa is real. There was a lot of waffling at our house this year. So, on Christmas eve, beside the cookies, Jacqulin wrote a note and asked Santa if he could take a picture of his reindeer for her. She even left her camera for him. It is hard to believe that he had time to grab this quick shot considering how busy he was that night. So, what do you think?

Luke reading Luke.

We were very blessed this year to have Luke read the Christmas story from Luke in the Bible. This was very appropriate considering he was named after this physician and follower of Jesus. It is mind blowing that Luke is old enough to read this story fluently without any stumbling over the big words.

Christmas Eve at our house.

We started the evening with a beautiful candlelight service at our church. It's my favorite service with lots of Christmas Carols. Papa joined us this year which made it extra special. They talked about how Nazareth was thought of as an undesireable place to be from and that shepherds were dirty, smelly and unsociable. Yet God chose a girl from Nazareth to carry His son. God also chose to tell the lowliest people about Jesus first. Wow! Makes you think how blessed we are to know Him (Jesus).



We always start with a bite to eat. For some reason several years ago we had soup (taco soup) I think it was because it was extremely cold. Well, now Luke and Jacqulin associate Christmas Eve with soup. So, Taco Soup, White Chicken Chili and Chicken Cheesy Vegetable soup were the main courses. Lots of goodies provided by everyone was also served.



Let the ENTERTAINMENT begin!! Luke and Jacqulin danced 'Solja Boy' for everyone!















DIRTY SANTA?!!?
For the first time the Sumner family decided to play dirty Santa. It turns out that Papa was the sneakiest Santa we had. There was a $35 limit on the gift. Papa had a huge beautifully wrapped box. Bert went first and chose the gift Papa brought - a $100 bill!!! But there were instructions: if you opened the gift first you had to give it to the 5th person to your left! WHAT?!! Beverly was glad that she sat 5 people away from Bert!

Christmas at Aunt Charlotte's house.

Uncle Mike is GLAD this isn't a week long fiesta.





We went to Charlotte's house in Huntsville, AL to celebrate Saturday, December 22, 2007. It was good that all of us could be together. Charlotte even had a birthday cake for baby Jesus. The kids read the story about Mary and Joseph and God's gift to us, Jesus, his son.It explains that is why we give gifts today. We've read this same book for as many years as I can remember. I think this tradition was started with Mom's first grandchild, Garrett, who is now 22 and expecting his first baby girl in February. Wow how time flies.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS BREAK.....

I think we can all think of a teacher who made a difference in our life. Fortunately, Luke and Jacqulin have both had a teacher who has made an unbelievable impact on their lives. Shannon Carlisle is a phenomenal 4th grade teacher and both my children have been blessed to have her. She is the most creative teacher - not just artistic - but creative in teaching relevant material.She did more for Luke's self esteem in one year than we thought possible. Jacqulin has her this year and we couldn't be more pleased. Thursday was the last day of school before Christmas break. The fourth grade wore pajama's and had a great party. We had to get a picture with Luke because Mrs. Carlisle is a teacher you don't want to forget. Thank you Mrs. Carlisle for caring about what you do!