Christmas #3

Christmas evening around 5:30, our 3rd Christmas began. At least that's when my folks showed up. My bro & sis and their spouses showed up shortly thereafter. Thankfully everyone was too full on their own Christmas lunches that we didn't have to prepare another meal. We had just finished cleaning up from the afternoon's preparations when they walked in!
I lost track of time, but I know it was later (ie after 7:00) when we started in on the "celebration" of Christmas. My dad did his usual Bible story. This time it was focused on Joseph, Jesus's dad. He asked us some good questions about what we know about him and his character, since there isn't a lot written about him. Unfortunately I tuned out for a bit, as I noticed my oldest squirming and having a hard time sitting still and being quiet. I wished that I hadn't suggested doing the Bible reading first, so that John could open his gifts and go to bed, and the rest of us could go deeper into the discussion. But alas, I did, and I think I was the only one who was distracted by my son.
So, alas, at the risk of sounding very materialistic I will post about the presents and the pics of them being opened.

Grandpa meeting Ben for the first time. Ben wasn't too sure what he thought of that!
But, he calmed down!

Grandparents enjoying their grandkids

Part of the room while Dad was leading the discussion on Joseph




John opening his gifts. First daddy had to help, then he got the hang of it!

A John Deere farmhouse for our John Deere!!

Playing with his presents

Bella all dressed up for Christmas!


Shots of the opening presents scene

Ben all tuckered out from the excitement

had to show off his fun stockings he got when he was born. They have reindeer on them!

Thankfully the evening did not end with my "materialism!" After the kids were in bed, I could refocus on "deep" conversations and in normal Senecal fashion we had some good discussions. My brother is always good at stirring things up, so he got us discussing our views on working moms. Tim's big thing was that the Proverbs 31 woman worked, and so did numerous other woman mentioned, so why does the church today put such an emphasis on women staying at home raising their children. It was an interesting discussion, and I think Dave summed it up best when he said that it all depends on the attitude and reason behind why the women continue to work. Is it because they need time away from their kids, and they can't handle them? Is it because they want a bigger and better lifestyle? Is it because they want the career? If it was for any selfish reason, he basically said that was wrong. To have children is to sacrifice & if you aren't willing to give up your desires for theirs, then maybe you need to rethink why you are having children. Ultimately it came down to it being important to stay at home for at least the first 4-6 formative years. I made the comment, that I seriously cannot see how people can work and have a family. I know I wouldn't have the energy to give to my family if I worked. Heck, I barely have the energy to keep the house in order and take care of the kids, much less have energy reserved for when Chris comes home!
Just a look into our fun family discussions! Not sure why I felt the need to share all that!!

Christmas #2

So, our 2nd Christmas, was actually Christmas morning/afternoon. We didn't open gifts together as an immediate family that morning, so the morning was pretty much spent getting ready for Christmas lunch with our neighbors and the Christmas with my family that evening. Unfortunately the boys were having a rough morning, and were either whining or crying or clingy most of the morning, so our nerves were on edge, and we actually got into an argument. Not the best way to get your heart and mind ready to be witnesses to the neighbors, nor to reflect on the meaning of Christmas. Thankfully, God is bigger than us, and we were able to forgive each other, and enjoy our time with our neighbors, and get to know them.
We were in charge of the turkey, the potatoes, and the gravy for the Christmas "dinner" with our neighbors. We realized that morning that we had never done a turkey together, since we've been married, so we documented the occasion! Even though it was a pre-cooked turkey from HEB, we still had some work to do. I guess we will document it when we do the full deal, stuffing, removing the gizzards, basting it, etc.
Chris unwrapping the turkey...


and placing the wrapper on his head!

Turkey in the roasting pan (apparently even though it's precooked and defrosted, you still have to "warm it up" for 3 hours. What's the use in buying a precooked turkey if you have to cook it for nearly as long as the normal one?! Ay!

Wrapping with foil. Kebap begging for a snack, or just trying to get in the pic!


Self explanatory steps (did I mention that we documented every step?!)

After it was done, carving the turkey

and more carving


The spread-we had the dinner at our next door neighbor's house

The guys :Guy & Jay
The ladies: Joy & Kirsten
Sorry the pics are sparse, I put Chris in charge of the camera, and so this was what I got! John was sleeping when he took these, and Jay & Joy's boys were playing in the other room. Apparently I was nursing Ben, so I was also absent. Oh well!!

Here's some pics of the boys Christmas morning: John playing with his bathtub boat he got for Christmas and "helping" his little bro.




And some random pics just cuz this post is sparse on pics compared to my normal ones!!!!!

Meet Benaiah Seth party

This was actually in my drafts, but I couldn't get the videos to load so I moved on. Finally was able to get them loaded, so here you go.

December 5th-8th we went down to San Antonio (Ben's first car trip-which was literally a nightmare. Ben was mostly ok til the end, but John was a terror, and it turned into a 3 1/2 hour trip instead of 2 hour trip due to traffic. We were in San Antonio city limits for 45 minutes before we made it to my sisters house.) to greet our soldiers who were returning from Iraq. They were supposed to make it in on the 5th, but didn't end up coming until the 9th mid morning due to delay after delay. Thankfully we were still able to see them even if it was only for a brief 15 minutes. We had actually left b/c Chris had only taken a 4 day, and it was already the 5th day, and after waiting 2 1/2 hours in the gym they told us it would be another hour (this was after we had woken up at 3,thanks Ben, and then left the house at 4:15 to meet them, only to find out they weren't coming in til 7:30), Chris made the decision that he needed to get back to work. Before we were off of post, Bob called us and asked if we were going to be there. When we found out that they were only 10 minutes away we turned around and went back. It was amazing!! So many emotions came out: knowing that I will have to go through this eventually only heightened the emotions, thinking of all that has happened to those here and those who went, thinking how long 15 months is... It was so good, and almost surreal to hug Bob, Becca, and Cass, and Matt & George.
But all that to say, that this post is actually to post pics from the weekend in San Antonio, and primarily the party that my sis threw so that we didn't have to worry about seeing everyone on our trip. Thank you Sarah!!

Ben & I waiting for folks to arrive. Actually, I think this was taken a little earlier on in the day on Saturday!

Jenny was the first to arrive as she had to be somewhere that evening and couldn't stay for the "party"






Different shots of the room and people talking and carrying on!

This is what John did most of the party: walked around and begged! It was so cute, b/c he would walk up with his hands behind his back, then look up at you, point at what he wanted (usually friendship bread!) and sign "Please!"

Dave & Sarah practicing for their little one!!
Chris took this video on Saturday-not sure where I was! The girl's voice is my sister's, not mine. I guess it could have been while I was sleeping still. Didn't think I slept in that late!! :o)

After church on Sunday, John was fascinated with the projector and screen!


John became quite adept at the dunk!! Thanks daddy!



While we were there, John perfected the art of eating with a spoon, rather than with his fingers!

The only pics we got waiting for Cass, Becca & Bob to come home, as we forgot our camera in the car on the return trip b/c we were in a hurry to get back into the gym!