Happy Christmas Eve!

Have I shown you all the picture of the kids by the tree? If I have it deserves repeating.
Here is our candle ready to light for lunch today.
Had you heard about Allison's candle problem? I will let her tell you in her own words.

How are things going with the candles in the other homes? Is it a tradition we should keep? Suggestions for improvements?

Here is a picture of DaRonn and I at a Christmas party Monday night with our English speaking friends.
Here is a shot of my dessert yesterday after lunch. So yummy!
Houses of Gingerbread. (I put these on my blog, but I thought they went well with this post and you might not have seen them.)
Happy Christmas Eve!!!

Happy Birthday DaRonn!

My wonderful husband is 33 years old today. To honor him here is a list of 33 of the multiplied many things that I think are just great about my man.

1. He loves God
2. He is passionate
3. He is not afraid of being who he is
4. He strives for excellence
5. He is a good bowler
6. He makes funny jokes
7. He plays with our kids
8. He is always trying to become better
9. He is man of integrity
10. He tells the truth
11. He is a man of action
12. He is a hard worker
13. He is a visionary
14. He is good at starting stuff
15. He hopes for the best
16. He prays
17. He studies the word of God
18. He seeks advice
19. He makes good decisions
20. He is a good judge of character
21. He abhors mediocrity
22. He is a picky eater
23. He has his sights set on the world
24. He enables others to reach their full potential
25. He is a considerate and loving husband
26. He reads lots of books
27. He is good at technical stuff
28. He travels
29. He is a friend
30. He helps people
31. He is kind to children
32. He loves his sons and daughters
33. He loves me

Washington Family Christmas Photos - part two

Here are some fun moments from yesterday:


Tyler showing off his new trick of sticking out his tongue and waging his head.


Raimy got a few canvasas and paint brushes. She was inspired to paint a portrait of one of our new guinea pigs, Patrik.


Gabrielle grabbing some sweet goodies from the kitchen.


Timothy by the glow of the Christmas tree.


Papa and Tyler listening to Christmas music. Tyler singing along.


Gabrielle with "Patrik".


Raimy and Timothy with "Rosebud", the girl of the pair.


Tyler playing with his awesome new toy.


Timothy trying out his new golf set.

Just the 6 of us (well, 9 if you count our pets) celebrated Christmas at the house. The day was bright, warm and sunny. The kids went to the park to play golf. DaRonn got a nice nap in. And I finished reading "East of Eden", a great, great book. We lounged around all day eating baked goods and Chineese take-out. It was a nice day. I hope all you had a good time too.

Peanut’s Plan

Last night my four little nuts and I were eating our dinner. I said, “Guys, after you go to bed tonight…”

Peanut-butter interrupts rolling her eyes with a little grin on her face, “I know, I know. You are going to go out.”

“I know where she is going! She is going to see papa bowling!” Peanut-man declared triumphantly.

“Nu-uh! You don’t know!” Peanut-butter stated trying to get the upper hand.

Peanut, ever the peacemaker, raised her voice above the din of the argument brewing across the table, “There is a way we can know! In the morning we can go into mama and papa’s room. If there is a trophy there that means that papa was bowling!”

Cheers of approval from both sides of the table revealed their enthusiasm as to the validity and rightness of this plan to verify mama and papa’s extracurricular activities. The unanimous observation was completely founded on logic (in their heart): If papa is indeed bowling then a trophy will be the sure proof of this activity.

In conclusion: Papa bowling = a trophy won.

All in their jammies this morning my little nuts gathered around the gleaming white trophy in the shape of a bowling pin. The comments were varied.

“You got another one?” Peanut-butter clarified.

“How many of those do you have now?” Peanut asked with proud grin on her face.

“Is this one bigger than the last one?” Peanut-man implored with eyes wide inspecting the first-place, city-wide championship prize.

Nutmeg just watched and listened, contented to be in the middle of the mix as his papa showed the trophy to his ever adoring and most faithful fans. Someday they might actually get to see him win one of those things; when the championship is not held past their bed-time.