Elsy Keeps me Happy! By Cindy

I get a great deal of joy having Elsy at the house.

Thursday we went to the library, she loves it. I had to bribe her to get her to leave to eat lunch.

Today we had her for the morning since the babysitter was sick. She was busy making snow angels on the carpet and kept encouraging me to make them too.

I did get down and make one!

Indoor activities of Winter by Cindy

Puzzles are good for not going outside, and something to do in the winter! Erica had come twice to eat and work on the puzzle with us. She loved it. 

Cory isn't a puzzler, but he sat with us as we finished it! He was playing a game on his phone.

The three of us were determined to finish it by 9:15 and we did!

Cookie Face

You know you are leaving Grandpa Ellis's house when you have an oreo cookie face at 9:00 AM. 

Cute Cole

Did you see this picture of Cole Cameron took at the Burrichter Christmas? I love it!

I won't be taking pictures with a real camera anytime soon, but boy are they better! Thanks for sharing (and taking), Cameron!

Visiting Gramsy

Today we visited Gramsy at Tallgrass. We walked from her apartment to the Bistro for an early lunch and met mom and dad. Cole had a blast toddling/running down the hallway.

Marc suggested that Cole hold on to Gma's walker and help her down the hall. Cole was happy to oblige and took the task very seriously. 

At the end of the hallway Dad was waiting for us. Cole ran to him with open arms, warming Dad's heart, my heart and all the staff ladies watching him. 

We heard a lot of "he's so cute" "look at those beautiful eyes" "looks like he keeps you busy". 

I'm glad we got to go to Tallgrass to visit Gma before we left for home. Thanks, Gma!

Birthday greetings by Cindy

I love getting birthday greetings whether a text, phone call, facebook, video or card.

I especially like to get cards, they are like a present to me. Someone taking the time to pick it out just for you.

I think it is important on a person's birthday you let them know you are glad they were born. Do it whatever way you feel comfortable with, but just make them feel loved.

I felt loved on my 67th birthday, so thanks to all my friends and family. Looking forward to a great year and next birthday.

I forgot to include the special ones Laura's class made me.

Marc Voth Family Christmas

Our little Marc Voth family Christmas was meaningful and simple. 

We attended our church's Christmas Eve service in Liberal with Marc's parents complete with an early dinner at Braum's beforehand. Both of these things have become a tradition! I love it. 

Headed to the service

There is no childcare for the service, but Cole did really well. Of course, I'm sure it gets easier every year. This year I invited Al and Shirley back to our house afterwards for hot chocolate and Christmas candies. 

Marc and I have been trying to think really hard about how we'd like to "do" Christmas with our family. We want so bad to make it about Jesus and to make it a super special day and not so much about the presents. But how do you make it special without presents? It's tricky. 

Marc read the Christmas story from Cole's children's Bible. 

Cole and I acted it out with the nativity set Mary had given him while Marc read. 

I set the table fancy with a tablecloth and candles and we had a special breakfast - pancakes and bacon, our favorite! We sang happy birthday to Jesus and blew out the candles. 

And I did decide to wrap up something for Cole to open, which I think both Marc and I were glad to have for him. 

And then we just had a relaxing morning at home and lunch and rest of the day over at Al and Shirley's. (Marc grilled some delectable steaks!)

Luckily, we have another year before Cole  will really know or care or remember much about Christmas and how we do it. We can continue to brainstorm and tweak what we want to do. While we don't want to go overboard, we do hope Cole hears more about Jesus and less about Santa from our mouths at Christmastime. :) I appreciate Marc's lead in all this.