Van Hoy: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a safe and fun New Years! I will post more on my new years in another post... But this one is all about Christmas :) We had a great Christmas. It was pretty low key- stayed in town and only made a few visits. But it was filled with lots of love, family, lots of food, and all around fun. Most importantly it was a celebration of our precious Savior's birth. This year we wanted to be real intentional with the girls about why we celebrate Christmas. It's about Jesus, coming to earth as a sweet baby to save the world. It's about a Rescuer, Redeemer, and Savior sent to rescue, redeem and save us. We wanted the girls to know its about giving of yourself and to others. We wanted to take as much of the materialistic mindset away from them as we could. We still are not really sure on what we want the girls to believe about Santa (we have mixed feelings on whether to tell them he's fake or not). Kinsley is still too young to understand and is pretty scared of Santa. Payton is at an understanding age but still doesn't have a real interest in Santa. She did sit on his lap (after much persuasion) and would occasionally talk about him. But I don't think she really knows much about who he is and if he's real or not. And anytime she would ask us about him we would just redirect her attention to why we celebrate Christmas- Jesus. So we will see what next year brings on the subject. But anyways... Christmas was great! Jonny and I, have followed this rule when buying for the girls- 1. Something they need. 2. Something they want. 3. Something to read. Since we are surrounded by such an amazing family who gives so much we really want to keep it simple. We knew the girls were gonna get sooo much (and they just had their birthdays in November) so we got the girls new pajamas, a book, and a small doll. And they loved it (i think they love unwrapping more than anything). I got a few little things for their stockings- pez, socks, lip gloss, tooth brush, ect. And they loved it all. This is getting rather long so illl just post some pictures to tell the rest :) I hope you and yours had a wonderful Christmas. And may God's love and peace invade your home this coming year.

On the 23rd we headed to Red Oak to celebrate with Jonny's side of the family. We got there about 1 and hung out with Jonny's brother, brothers girlfriend, niece, nephews, and dad. The girls absolutely adore and love being at their Papa's house and with their cousins. They always have so much fun. And Megan did a wonderful job of making the house beautiful and fun. And had lots of yummy food too :) We just hung out, ate a lot, and opened presents. Unfortunately, my pictures were all pretty blurry for some reason (I think my setting was all messed up) but here are the ones I took :)

All the presents and beautiful tree... Just like Nana use to decorate it. I miss her everyday but that day was extra hard without her. Can't believe its the 2nd one without her. You are missed Nana!!

Stockings hung by a fire :)

Emmi and Kins

My sweet baby girl

Helping Kins Open Presents

The girls got lots of goodies and loved everyone of them... They got a HUGE barbie doll house and lots of barbies from Papa- and they love it!

Emmi and Payton

Daddy and Kinsley Opening Presents

Papa's Grandkids

Cousins... Kins, Emmi, Payton, Witt, Brody, and Brock

Boys

Me and Sweet Emmi

At about 7, the rest of Jonnys family (grandparents, aunt, and cousins came over for round 2)

Megan and Chris

Dana and Danette.... And photobombing Jonny, Brock and Chris

Dana and Pap Jim

Me and Danette

Brody and Emi

Brock... Wearing Uncle Bubba's shirt

Thanks for hosting us Papa :)

Christmas Eve. Jonny had to work during the day so me and the girls just spent the day at home. Then when daddy got home we got in our fancy outfits and headed to the Christmas Eve service at our church, Rush Creek. The service was wonderful and we loved celebrating as a family. Then we headed to my Grandmother's house in Dallas to celebrate with my dad's side of the family. We ate and then did a white elephant/gift card exchange. We always love being with that side. It's always so much fun :)

Cousins- Kins, Rian, and Payton

Opening gifts from Malmal and Aunt Angela

My family

My dad's side of the family

Christmas Even Service

Uncle Bubba and Payton

After my grandmothers we headed home.. The girls opened their new pajamas and we put them to bed. In the morning we ate cinnamon rolls and opened our gifts. We had a nice morning with just us four. Then we headed to my mom and dads house for Christmas with my family and my moms side of the family.