November-December 2012

 To jump back to Thanksgiving-this post is going to have a lot of pictures!:P First, we went to the service at church that morning, and then had a special lunch/dinner with Uncle John's family and Grandma, at our house this year! (We missed having the Hucks, Estradas and Aunt Drana but, it was a rather last minute get together!;)

 We did buffet style-it's a lot easier...;)

 Waiting....this year we ate on the couch as the tables were stowed in the garage.

 Preparing with Mommy!<3 p="p">

 Grandma brought fresh fruit-always very yummy!

 Potatoes going on the back burner, Stuffing in the front with the gravy and turkey beside us....

 Sparkling Apple Cider;)

 Caytlin and Grandma...

 Working on one of the best parts of the meal!

 Before we ate we snapped a few "family pictures." Here are some of the men-even though there are six boys in our family alone; altogether, the girls far outnumber them.:P

 Some of the girl cousins-left to right: Lindsay, me, Evie, Caytlin, Janelle, and Samantha Jane!:)

 the boys-Left to right: Natey, Isaiah, Daniel, Daddy, Timmy, Uncle Johnny, Joshua, and Ryan!:) How fast everyone is growing up!

  three mommies-Aunt Lillian, Grandma, and Mommy:)

 Tossing kale salad and talking...;)

 Everyone was excited and ready to eat! I love Natey's face here!

 Joshua keeping Evie company....

 Our packed kitchen...:P

 Daniel...:P

 The little boys really enjoy using their trays when no table is present!

 dinning/living room:)

 Mommy and Uncle Johnny are always a really fun pair-they can really draw us kids in!

 Evie baby enjoyed some foods, but still had a few weeks to wait...;)

 Having fun...:)

 Dad and Uncle Johnny relaxing-they both work really hard at their jobs, so it's nice to see them getting a chance to visit every once in awhile!

 

Now jumping forward to Christmas week! Sunday, Opa drove down and we enjoyed visiting with him, watching some Christmas classics and opening stockings and presents the next morning. We usually open our stockings Christmas morning, but this year we planned to be at Oma's house- so we did it a day early with Opa!:)

 Working on perfecting our "Frappuccino" skills....:P

 Our dinner -make your own sandwich-I think it's safe to say that we like to do the buffet style meals; It really seems to work well for us!;)

Waiting on our comfy, yet well worn, couch.

 Daddy planned out this dinner-it was really good! He always thinks up really yummy meals! It's an old time family favorite in the Sebo family. As a child, Saturday's were often "La Prima Deli" days.  Soft, fresh rolls were purchased with an assortment of lunch meats-mmmm! What memories that brings back for Daddy and Opa. :)

 our Timmy-T;)

 Even though we had our table back in the kitchen we watched a Christmas classic with our dinner this time.:)

 Cheese.....something almost all our kids really liked as babies!

 Eager to eat!

 Natey and Opa- birthday buddies! :D

 Christmas Eve morning, we quickly assembled in the living room ready and excited!

 Our stockings, from eldest to youngest, with our names and their meanings above them!

                                   Opa went first! Always enjoys a good western...;)

 It's always so much fun to watch the little ones- they have great reactions! The first thing he pulled out was one single piece of candy and he was so happy that would have satisfied him!

 Unwrapping a sword made by Daniel!

 (Ryan and I went to Washington the previous week for a  friend's wedding. While we were up there, we bought everyone in the family a gift. I remembered how, sometimes in the past, mom would hide our gifts and take us on a treasure hunt to find them! So, the night before, Isaiah and I wrote up a bunch of clues for each person. The first one started in their stocking, then led them to eventually finding the hidden gift. Once the gift was found, they had to come back to the living room to open it where everyone could see! It was just as fun as we had remembered!!!!:D)

 Candy....

 A first clue for Joshua!

 On his way......in the garage. :P

 He found it! It was an animated puppy dog.

 

 Natey's green squishy rabbit!

 "Somewhere in the girl's room....."

 A Build-a-Bear marine suit- just like Gomer Pyle!!

 Opa and his youngest granddaughter <3 p="p">

 Isaiah digs in... Ryan zooms in.

 "Do 20 push-ups..."

 A ceramic cowboy....I think Isaiah liked it......;)

 Evie's first year opening her own stocking!

 "Your present was IN there!?" Evie just grabbed it and started to eat it!

 It was really funny- Timmy was eager to open Evie's present for her. He enjoys "helping!" Here is Joshua's doggie.

 Candy, a book from the little boys (I've seen it around the house- they popped it into my stocking as a gift), chocolate- with a note....it surprised me.....I didn't know I was going to have to go on a hunt myself!

 A new black sweater- very useful and something to wear a lot!

 Daddy asked us kids to go on the hunt for our group present- our first clue was in the Bible!

 Thinking- it's amazing as I look at this picture -we are growing up into men and women.... :)

 Unwrapping together- some of the little ones are cut off.

 A ping pong table set that can be used on any table!!! :D We are looking forward to using it and sharing it with family and friends!

 Caytlin reading one of her first clues- she had one hunt from Ryan and I, and one from Daddy and Mommy!

 A favorite, but special, treat!

 We hid Caytlin's  gift behind the clock!;)

 Snowflake earrings!

 Ryan bought Daniel a case containing actual ash from Mount St. Helen- he was pretty excited about that!

 I had way too much fun writing up the clues, which also had directions! ;) Daniel kept asking me to tell him what we had bought him, so......I made his extra challenging- like running around the house and yard...:P

 Finally, after taking him all over the house and outside, in and out, and out and in, he found his gift in the rafters- in a suitcase! ;)

 We were pretty excited to watch him open this, as it was wrapped in a blender box from Costco! ;)

 Lookin' good, Dan!

 And the video camera guy took a break to open his stocking!

 Candy! His Christmas presents were given to him earlier, as they were useful to his computer; such as a new keyboard and hard drive!

 Dad's present hunt for Mommy- she shared!;)

 Mommy's present we hid in the picture chest!

 A Thomas Kinkade wall hanging with a verse... It has the verse "Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10- The very verse the Lord had been really impressing on her heart lately.

 It also lights up with multi-colored lights in the trees and lights in the cabin windows.

 Daddy was last and I had some fun with his hunt as well- here his next clue was hidden on the inside of the lid to the cappuccino mix!

 He had to walk around the house outside and it had rained! That was not part of my plan!:P

 Meanwhile, Opa and Evie bonded :)

 "Now, open the piano lid, close it, open it, close it...."

 Daddy's gift was in Daniel's hiking pack!

 Washington mug for coffee and cappuccinos!

 A family pajama shot with Opa and Daddy!;) It was a really fun morning filled with lots of surprises! We enjoyed having Opa there to share in the special time!!

 Christmas Day was similar to thanksgiving- with church in the morning and then lunch/dinner at Oma's house!

 Her lovely Christmas tree!

 Waiting...I do believe God likes to teach us patience, especially on holidays!;)

 getting seated.....

 We enjoyed another meal similar to Thanksgiving! It was really delicious and all cooked by Oma!

 We really appreciated all the work she put into the food and setting the table! It was all very lovely and special!

 The goblets Oma set out were a highlight to the meal! It made one feel like putting on a British accent as they sipped and talked!:P

 Ryan and Natey:)

                           Timmy loves his Oma!

 After the lovely meal was over, it was time to clean up.

 a heavy table...;)

 Putting away food and loading the dishwasher...

 The boys really enjoy playing with Oma's Jenga blocks and dominoes!

 Evie and Daddy after a hearty meal....

                            lemon bars-made by Oma!

 It's such a blessing to have two beautiful sisters! They are both growing up so fast!

 Oma's present.....

 Once again, we snapped a few family shots before we relaxed. We children with Daddy and Oma.:)

 Our "stairs siblings" picture

 -Caytlin and I both got to wear kupuks this year! (The one I'm wearing is my favorite Christmas gift this year, from a very special native friend!:) Evie has grown out of her previous one and we are waiting till she grows into the one we have now! We are looking forward to putting it on her!

Writing up this post, looking at all these pictures and thinking about these events leaves me feeling so blessed! How often do we take things for granted-people, places, opportunities-assuming they will always be there. This Christmas the Lord has been opening my eyes to all the wonderful blessings I have, right now! In all the business of life, we can start to fret about things, worry and start focusing on the temporal when our eyes should be on the Lord and recognizing His work in our lives! As we continue to study the book of 1 Timothy with our church, there is a verse that comes to mind. May the Lord help us to appreciate His gifts in the every day things and  keep our eyes focused on Him as we enter this new year!

"Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content."

1 Timothy 6:6-8