Christmas Videos

Dylan learns what the CIA is all about



You've never seen someone so excited over opening gloves



Luke descovers for everyone that a Nintendo DS was coming their way



Nicholas really wanted a puppy for Christmas



Grandma opens up the photo book we made for her

Nicholas lip syncs

We noticed at the Ward Christmas party, Nicholas becoming quite theatrical with the Primary's presentation during the Forgotten Carols. Now whenever he hears a song he hears, he grabs the nearest item to use as a microphone and begins lip syncing and dancing. He is so fun!

Christmas Fun

We had a very blessed Christmas this year. Although, Jonathan had been laid off and money was tight...I started a habit years ago of having a "Christmas Club Savings Account" through my Medical Spending Account through work. I use the Medical Spending Account for school clothes and supplies and Christmas. It has worked famously in years past, and was an absolute blessing this year.

My children weren't worried about Christmas, because they knew Santa would come through for them. Before opening any presents, we had a conversation over the true meaning of Christmas and what giving of gifts truly represents. We discussed being gracious and showing gratitude to others for the gifts we receive. Everyone was quite delighted with the gifts they received. I heard a few "this is our best Christmas ever."

Luke shows off his Christmas presents
Luke trying out his Blendy pens

These Hulk hands have brought much enjoyment in our home. They are foam hands that make noises as you swing them. They are a fun, harmless way to wrestle.

Luke shows off his MP3 player from Grandma

Kyle shows off his gifts

Grandma sits among her gifts

Dylan finished opening presents

Dylan shows off his Ohio State football

Christmas Day is always a marathon day for us. We open presents in the morning, and the gifts all get opened...trashing the house. We then go to the Newbold Family Christmas Festivity where we enjoy good food, re-enact the Nativity Story, play a White Elephant Game, open presents, visit with one another and have a great time. Then on to the Simons Family Christmas where we eat some more, play together, visit, open presents and drag ourselves home.

Dylan ended up with a migraine and was "pukey" by the time we arrived home. I got him all settled in and hurried off to work for a night of excitement at Toledo Hospital.

Great Grandpa Newbold with his Lake GrandBoys

Sammie gets her Christmas present from Great Grandpa

Nicholas thanks Great Grandpa for his Christmas present

Luke receives his gift

Kyle thanks Great Grandpa

Grandpa Newbold usually gets gifts for the Great Grandchildren. They look forward to their gifts from him. This year he expanded his generous gift giving by blessing each of his children and grandchildren with a money card. This was a welcomed blessing in these financially difficult times.

Grandma plays the White Elephant Game with my family...it gets crazy!

We were glad to be able to keep Grandma with us throughout the Christmas Day. The family have all become accustomed to her presence in our family...and she was a welcomed addition to our festivities.

Mar and Jonathan

Mar, the Queen of Christmas

Luke playing with his White Elephant Gift

Kyle loves Christmas!

Dylan...too cool for even himself :)

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Jammies

Our Christmas Eve traditions include...my mom taking the boys to go look at Christmas lights, have hot chocolate or watch a movie. This gives Jonathan and I an opportunity to get much needed wrapping accomplished, and finish any last minute Christmas Morning preparations that we might need to complete.

After everything is wrapped, we then allow the children to return back home. We open up our Christmas Jammies, put them on, and then take some snap shots. The kids then set out cookies and milk for Santa and head off to bed to dream of the possible gifts they'll be receiving in the morning. (It's the one night of the year when we don't hear any fussin' or fightin' about going to bed)

Grandma got to go first, since this was her first time experiencing "Christmas Jammies" with us. She really liked her jammies, which was an undertaking since she is very fussy about fabrics and what she wears...so we had to be careful what we bought for her.

Nicholas was very pleased with his Mario Kart jammies

Luke got Super Mario jammies

Kyle likes camou...so he received Camouflage jammies

Dylan is looking forward to attending Northview High School next year...so he got Northview spirit wear jammies

Jonathan likes to relax before bed by playing his XBox 360...he received XBox 360 jammies

Jonathan and the boys shopped for my Christmas Jammies this year...they are the right size, soft, and warm...in other words...Perfect!

Simons Boys

Simons Family show off their Christmas Jammies

Merry Christmas from the Simons

Everyone really loved their Christmas Jammies!

Dear Santa I can explain

At the eleventh hour...they have one final plea :)

Dylan
Kyle being a goober even now
Luke
Nicholas

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Home made and Home grown! The Simons Boys give us their rendition of Santa Claus Is Coming to Town :)

Dylan's Irish Jig

Nicholas' Winter Party

I signed up to be the head mom over Nicholas' Winter Party in his second grade class

We made hand print wreaths

We played games

We had rice krispy treat wreaths for snack

and had lots and lots of fun!

Nicholas working on his handprint wreath

Mrs. McKown helping one of the students with their wreath

Jonathan helping one of the other students with their craft

Nicholas deciding what else to do

Miss Thomas (student teacher) helping with one of the wreaths

Nicholas ready to go

Nicholas shows off his wreath

Court of Honor 2008

Boy Scout Court of Honor

December 17th, 2008

7 pm

Brother Marco calls Dylan up to receive his badges

Dylan receives his Star badge

Dylan also receives 14 more merit badges
Dylan showing off all of his cards~Congratulations Dylan...Job well done!

Brother Marco explaining about Kyle's badge

Kyle receives his Tenderfoot badge

Kyle also received 7 merit badges

Luke's Winter Party

Luke had his fifth grade Winter Party today at Maplewood. I was supposed to go and help with the class, but since I was able to work last night and I am scheduled to work again tonight, Jonathan was able to go and be the "parent helper".

This turned out to be a better scenario anyway. With Jonathan usually working during the daytime, he isn't always available to attend the kids' school functions. This provided Jon with the opportunity to be there for his son. I am a big believer that our mere presence at the schools makes a big difference and means a great deal to these little ones.

This is Luke's village that he created...minus a little snacking :)

Luke with his Gingerbread House