As my family will tell you I enjoy decorating for the holiday (well actually most holidays). This year I began decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving. Since Jordan and Kyle would not be here during Thanksgiving break (they stayed in northeast Texas) and we were meeting them in Greenville for Thanksgiving I decided to start decorating early. I pulled out our decorations from Romania and our decor that has been packed up for 10 years in my mother's garage. Oh the memories I recalled as I pulled out decorations Nathaniel, Jordan and Kyle made as little boys (fun times).
Roger was great pulling out the artificial tree here at the missionary house and putting it together. I enjoyed decorating it with ornaments from Romania but also those that have been stored here.
Here is the tree all decorated. Another tradition we had before moving to Romania was putting the train around the tree. So out the train came this year. Gracie, our cat wanted to be in the picture too. Gracie did not bother the tree at all.
I found this glass christmas tree in a glass shop in old town in Bucharest.
A few years ago when walking through Unirii Mall in Bucharest I saw and bought this winter scene glass plate.
Colleague Freda Angeletti painted this winter scene and gave to us. She is a great artist!!24th - Christmas Eve
Another tradition we have had since the boys were small is the advent calendar. Their Nana and Poppa gave the boys The Nutcracker calendar I think in 1989 (Kyle's first Christmas). The boys continue to enjoy doing the calendar. Since Jordan and Kyle were away at college Roger and I took turns. My Mom also did a few days. Nathaniel even was able to do it when he came by for lunch a few days. On this Nutcracker calendar their favorite character is the Mouse King. The funny thing was when it was mentioned on Facebook the Mouse King had been chosen by Nathaniel one day. Oh, Kyle's response was "When I get back the mouse king is going to switched out so that I can put it on next!" And he did switch it when he arrived home.
Christmas Eve before going to the candlelight service at Nathaniel and Kelly's church, The Well we opened presents with Nathaniel and Kelly. They were headed to Kelly's parents in Jarrell after the service.
One of Kelly's gifts was pillow for pregnant ladies.
25th - Christmas Day
The stockings are full on Christmas morn.
Jordan wishing he could have slept longer (it was after 9am).
Yum beef jerky!
Jordan smelling his scented Blue Bell Creamery pencil.
Kyle looking forward to eating the Hershey kisses and Reece's peanut butter cups.
My Mom (Nana) working on a crossword puzzle in the Bible crossword puzzle book she received in her stocking.
Roger wearing his own National Guard American Heroes shirt he received from Kyle and trying out his new hair brush.
Nana admiring a new Lenox "Holiday" dish. The collection began years ago when my Dad and Roger worked for Nabisco. They won different pieces several years in a row.
Jordan wearing his red long johns he received. This was a lot easier gift to buy for him than the real moose head he had on his list. AND yes he wants one!
Nana, Jeremy and Nancy.
Kyle, Kimberly, Nana, Jeremy and Nancy.
Kimberly received this zebra pink bag and other matching luggage from Ervin relatives.
James and Jordan
Nana brought items that belonged to my Dad for the grandsons to look at. Jeremy and Jordan looking at the cufflinks.
Jeremy, Kyle, Nathaniel and Jordan wearing some of Poppa's bowties (Jordan also has on a red cumberbun).
Close up of Jordan in his bowtie.
Roger trying out the perfect pushup devices Nathaniel received from the Ervins for Christmas.
One of Nana's gifts was a UMHB picture frame. So we needed to take a picture of the UMHB alumni (Nathaniel, Kelly and Nana) and soon-to-be graduate, Natalie (she will graduate in May 2009) to go in the frame.
Our family with Nana.
Christmas Eve before going to the candlelight service at Nathaniel and Kelly's church, The Well we opened presents with Nathaniel and Kelly. They were headed to Kelly's parents in Jarrell after the service.
One of Kelly's gifts was pillow for pregnant ladies.
25th - Christmas Day
The stockings are full on Christmas morn.
Jordan wishing he could have slept longer (it was after 9am).
Yum beef jerky!
Jordan smelling his scented Blue Bell Creamery pencil.
Kyle looking forward to eating the Hershey kisses and Reece's peanut butter cups.
My Mom (Nana) working on a crossword puzzle in the Bible crossword puzzle book she received in her stocking.
Roger wearing his own National Guard American Heroes shirt he received from Kyle and trying out his new hair brush.
Nana admiring a new Lenox "Holiday" dish. The collection began years ago when my Dad and Roger worked for Nabisco. They won different pieces several years in a row.
Jordan wearing his red long johns he received. This was a lot easier gift to buy for him than the real moose head he had on his list. AND yes he wants one!26th - More gifts to open
On the 26th my sister, Nancy and her family (the Ervins) arrived for us to celebrate together.
Nana, Jeremy and Nancy.
Kyle, Kimberly, Nana, Jeremy and Nancy.
Kimberly received this zebra pink bag and other matching luggage from Ervin relatives.
James and Jordan
Nana brought items that belonged to my Dad for the grandsons to look at. Jeremy and Jordan looking at the cufflinks.
Jeremy, Kyle, Nathaniel and Jordan wearing some of Poppa's bowties (Jordan also has on a red cumberbun).
Close up of Jordan in his bowtie.
Roger trying out the perfect pushup devices Nathaniel received from the Ervins for Christmas.
One of Nana's gifts was a UMHB picture frame. So we needed to take a picture of the UMHB alumni (Nathaniel, Kelly and Nana) and soon-to-be graduate, Natalie (she will graduate in May 2009) to go in the frame.
Our family with Nana.
