First Christmas

Katie's first Christmas was wonderful. She loved opening gifts. Especially gifts stuffed full of tissue paper. She clapped and pointed (her newest skill) at her favorite things.

Christmas eve - Katie is wearing her fancy Christmas dress to the candlelight service. Dusty/Granddad is taking the picture.



Why we make New Year's resolutions. Mom's poppy seed cake!



Christmas morning - Look what Santa brought!



Christmas morning - Katie politely reading the gift tag before opening her present from Jon and me.



Christmas dinner at Grandma and Granddad's



First day of Kwanzaa at Meme and Papa's



A gift for me - see video link for a demo



Katie's first Christmas created such an appreciation for God's gift of his son to us. While rocking Katie in my arms at bedtime, I am filled with overwhelming love for her sweet stillness. I long to keep her little and holdable forever. These feelings really brought home to me what an awesome sacrifice God made for us. I would not give Katie's life to save a million saints. Yet God gave baby Jesus to us to save millions of sinners. I always knew the truth of the nativity story. Katie's preciousness drove it home. I feel so grateful and indebted to a God that would love me this much. He is amazing.

Parent Child Dedication

Is Jon doing the funky chicken? No, today was Parent Child Dedication at our church. We stood before family (Grandma, Granddad, Meme, Papa, Aunt Diane, Aunt Sue, Aunt A, Uncle D, Mad Dog, Em, Andrea, Carlee, and Jennifer) and church friends and dedicated ourselves to helping Katie grow to know and love Jesus. She was a happy baby throughout the service. She was vocal too. Jon had to put a pacifier in her mouth to keep her from out preaching the pastor. Parents were asked to select a scripture reference for their child. We selected Colossians 1:9-10.

Since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

I read this verse while pregnant with Katie. Since we knew Katie was on the way we have been praying for her. The rest of the verse expresses our hope for her as she grows.

We had lunch at our house after church. A picture of the meal is included here. We served chicken sausage and mushroom lasagna, beef and tomato lasagna, Italian veggie salad, and Neiman Marcus cookies. Yum!

The men watched the Cowboy game. As you can see from the photo, it was very relaxing.

Mad Dog entertained herself by making unique jewelry. It was a great day spent with family. We were so happy to have many of our family members present to share Katie's special day.

Also of note:

Katie wore pantyhose for the first time today!

Katie and Daddy are twins!