Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone! It's December 25th and we've had a wonderful day. This is a very busy time of the year for us with our jobs (we make Christmas happen for our church) and we've been kept busy with a big production Christmas Musical, Candlelight Carols concert with sing-a-long Messiah selections with our choir and orchestra and special ensembles, and of course the regular special Christmas services, Hanging of the Greens, Advent mid-week services, and Christmas Eve. Crazy busy, but lots of fun. Yesterday we had one of the craziest experiences here in Houston. It snowed. We lived in Illinois for 7 years and it never snowed on Christmas Eve or Christmas day (came close and often had snow on those days but didn't actually snow on those days) and for our third Christmas in Houston, it snows. And I mean real snow. Large flakes and everything. It actually stuck too, roof tops and cars, even the ground! it was still around this morning but melted by early afternoon. We just couldn't believe it. It helped make for a neat Christmas Eve even though we did have to work. After the service last night, we headed out for dinner and as we walked out to the car watched as large snowflakes fell. It was amazing. Today was wonderful. We woke up around 7 and got everything ready for the girls to come down stairs and see the living room. They had set out cookies and milk for Santa and were pleased to see that he enjoyed every bite. After presents we changed into our new PJ's and robes to head to breakfast a IHOP. Yes, that's right, we go to IHOP in our new PJ's for Christmas breakfast every year. A rather strange tradition, but lots of fun. After breakfast it was time to play with our new presents and take a nap then on to getting dinner ready. We enjoyed dinner together followed by video chats with Grandma and Grandpa Martin, Uncle Preston and Aunt Sonya, and Aunt Rebecca and Uncle Scott and a phone conversation with Aunt Anna. We opened up one of our family presents and all played "Hungry Hippos" together. The girls loved that game and even Helena got involved in the action. Lots of laughs were had over those funny hippos. Well, I'm going to go now and spend some time with Jeremy. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Will update soon now that things have slowed down for a bit. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Jessica