And on a lighter note....Christmas!!

First of all, I want to thank all of you for your sweet comments and emails about my previous post. Obviously that was a hard one to write but so cleansing at the same time. I'm thankful for the continuous work the Lord is doing in me. And if I could help anyone at all thats an added blessing! So thanks!

Ok, so on to something "lighter"! Christmas this year was filled with lots of family, fun, gifts, and food! We started our celebrations on the 18th spending the afternoon and evening with Brian's dad and step mom at NorthPark Mall! Jim and Linda decided to surprise us this year with a scavenger hunt! We divided up into family teams and we each got a board that gave us clues as to where we could open our next clue. It was lots of fun and the kids really got into it! Jim and Linda really thought it out and made it a fun experience! The final stop was the Ronald McDonald train display! They purchased a portion of the train and had our family names put on it. Whoever found their train first won! And all of the proceeds go to benefit the Ronald McDonald house! So neat! Of course, we won....You know it, Root family!! Afterwards we went to Cheesecake Factory for some dinner and yummy dessert and exchanged gifts. It was a neat way to celebrate Christmas!

The Woods and Roots

On Christmas eve eve we went to Brian's mom and step dad's house. Carol and Bill always work very hard on the kids stockings and this year they did not disappoint! I believe Rhett's favorite thing was his Elmo umbrella! Good thing it rained all day the next day! We ate pizza, opened gifts, and enjoyed each other's company...

MiMi with all her grand kids...that's alot of kids!

MiMi also has a tradition that she makes a quilt for each grand kid that enters our family. Well, this year 3 kids joined the fam so she had LOTS of work to do! She poured many hours of work and love into these quilts! Here she is with her 3 newest additions!


Bill and I decided we never get a picture together so here we are....


Here is GiGi(Brian's grandmother) with all the great grands!


My two oldest girls with their cousin, Brooklyn. Such beautiful ladies!


I love this one of Ridge because that is pretty much what his face looked like the entire holiday! He was super excited about everything he got!


Christmas eve we spent the night at our own house and all of the kids slept upstairs together so the littles wouldn't get up in the night and wander around. They've been known to get up way too early! Here they are at the appointed time of 7 am! They were ready!!!


Adiah is into all things princess (still) and she had been asking for the Rapunzel magic hair and purple dress. Santa did not disappoint!



This was Rhett's first Christmas celebration but it did not take him long to figure out that it was super fun! He got his own new bike...and he loves it!

Emily with her stash from Santa...a Kindle was her big ticket item this year!


Natalie got one too!

Ridge got a new bow and arrow set! Its a good one!

I couldn't really sleep well on Christmas eve so I got up before everyone else and showered for the day. I even made the comment to Brian that I was happy I'm never in any Christmas morning pics because I had rollers in my hair. Wrong. Little did I know that Santa was going to leave me some diamond earrings! Santa did good!!

We then headed over to my parents house for the day. My brother, Rob, brought his smoker and smoked the most fabulous turkey and ham you've ever tasted!

Then it was on to the gifts...lots of them!

My dad...

My mom...I think she had a good day!

My niece, Lily

Rob and his wife, Emily

Rhett had fun opening his gifts...his tool kit was his favorite one, I think!

Adiah surrounded by gifts!

Besides my brother in law, Matt, being super sick (with pneumonia we think) we all had a great day!

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas!!!