Christmas Slide show (details below)

Christmas Fun & Traditions

Now that everything has settled down (I have been trying to work on this slideshow ALL day. Finally!) I wanted to share a few of our traditions.

• We started a new tradition 3 years ago of making ginger bread houses. (I don't make the whole thing, I just buy a kit.) We had 2 families join us this year. The Wheelers (Angela, Ginny & Hyrum) and the Wallis' (Owen & Ava). We had a ball. Thanks for joining us. You can see all their kids in the pictures.
• Christmas Eve dinner. We started this last year because I wanted the kids to eat a good meal that was good for you that they would all eat before the candy came. So, we had Hawaiian Haystacks. It was a huge hit. We did it again this year and they ate very well! Kennie even had another bowl. (There are no pictures of this!)
• Christmas Eve gift. We always open a gift on Christmas Eve and it is always pj's. We then sit as a family and read the real Christmas story from the Bible. This year, Aaron read it out of a book with pictures to keep Nate involved. So very nice!
• This year we started a new tradition. Justin asked if we could throw a birthday party for Jesus. So, we invited a bunch of friends over and had a birthday party. It was so much fun. We did a potluck type meal and had the company of some amazing friends! We are so blessed here in Dayton. We sure are going to miss this place.

A few items of note about some of the pictures. The microphone was the hit of the day. For $1.99 at Target, they spent more time playing with that thing than the rest combined. Also, Aaron really liked the way that Wii Fit (Thanks G & G Burnside) was wrapped (he did it) so he wanted to take a picture! Also, we got Maggie a doll and she was so excited. It was so funny to watch.

We Wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Love,

Aaron, Sassy, Kennie, Justin, Nate & Maggie Lewis!!

Lewis Family Photos

While in Utah, we had the extended Lewis Family pictures taken. It was the first time since Aaron and I got married 7 1/2 years ago that we have had family pictures done. Here are a couple of the best shots.

A fun shot on the stairs

Carli, Mark & Lana

My funny trip to the mall

Shelby and I went to the mall today. I have to say it is probably the funniest trip I think I have ever had. We hit Children's Place first. Got what we needed there. It was in Children's Place when I realize Maggie had pooped and I forgot the diaper bag. So, on our way to the sporting goods store, I asked those who I saw with a small child if I could steal a diaper (I didn't think they would want me just to borrow it). Anyway, I asked about 6 people before I found someone whose daughter wore a size 2. The little girl couldn't have been more than 2 months and here I was getting a diaper for a 6 1/2 month old. ARG!

So, Shelby and I went to Dick's (the sporting good store) and then I remembered I needed to grab the boys their Christmas present from Grandma & Grandpa Burnside at Treasures. We went inside Treasures only to find out that the stuff I ordered wouldn't be there until Monday. Here is the strange part. On our way out of Treasures, a few people were walking in and one said to the other "and this is the store where we will have sex." Shelby and I just looked at each other and Shelby said, "I didn't just hear that, did I?" I had to say yes. We couldn't believe it!! What a Christmas this is turning out to be!

Limboland

As I sit down to write this, my heart is full and I can't seem to stop the tears. This is my way of venting, so please, just suffer with me for a moment, say "Poor Sassy" and move on.

Those of you who know me know that I am a planner. I don't do well just flying by the seat of my pants. I function so much better on a schedule and with a plan. Well, it's all been thrown out the window. What? you might ask. Here is the short version.

Aaron wasn't accepted for the fellowship (we knew it was a long shot as it is a very competitive position) so we won't be going to San Antonio next summer.

We just found out that Korea has been changed to a 3 year accompanied tour. Can I do 3 years in Korea? Yes. Do I want to? I don't think so. 3 years without seeing my family and friends would be too much, I think. We would have volunteered for Korea and if we don't volunteer, we won't get it. Do I think we are going to volunteer? Probably not.

Boise was #1 on our list. We were told that the doctor stationed at Mountain Home applied and was probably being accepted to a fellowship so there would be a spot open at Mountain Home. He isn't on the fellowship list, which leads me to conclude that he didn't get a fellowship and therefore there won't be a position available at Mountain Home.

What's next? The other 2 bases in our top 5 that have positions are Nellis (Vegas) and Scott (St. Louis). Nellis would be okay, but I really don't want to go to Vegas. I don't like Vegas and would prefer not to be there, but it is only 5 hours from both sets of Grandparents and Mark & Carli live there, so that would be fun.

Scott, what is in St. Louis? Nothing for me. It's still a 20 hour drive to Salt Lake. No family and no friends. (That doesn't mean it wouldn't be fun, but I am just not excited.)

So, until April, we are stuck in limboland. I HATE IT!!! I am edgy, mean, have a hard time sleeping and it is difficult to get motivated to do anything.

Thanks for letting me vent. Now that Maggie is asleep and I have an hour before Aaron goes home, I guess I better go do something! We could use some prayers right about now!!

Are you kidding?

Okay, so 3 times today, Nate came to me asking to go potty. Of course, I put him on. He didn't go any of the times, but hey, who can complain?? Maybe?

She did it!

She's done it before, but on August 13th, when she got her shots, she stopped. But, last night Maggie slept through the night! I put her to bed at 9:45 (Aaron, Mags & I went Christmas shopping and didn't get home until after 8:30 then we had to do baths and 3 boys to bed with teeth and everything, it took a while), anyway, it's 8:00 and she is still asleep!!! Hooray!!

Update - Generations, Rock Band & Christmas Tree

Let's start out with Grandma Schwendiman. The whole reason we spent so much time in Utah was to see Grandpa & Grandma Schwendiman. Unfortunatly, we didn't make it in time to see Grandpa, he was too sick. But, we still spent a little bit of time with Grandma. We went up the Monday after Thanksgiving and spent 4 hours with just Grandma. Here she is with all the kids.

On Monday night, we went over to my Aunt & Uncles house and the boys had a BLAST!! They got to play Rockband with my cousins. They were in Heaven! Sorry for the slide shows, there is just too many pictures. In one of the pictures, Aaron is singing vocals and he is so proud of his performance!!!

We even got Nate to play the guitar and Aaron is John Bon Jovi!

Nate is drumming, Justin is drumming (with Nick's help) and Jana is helping Kennie on the guitar!

On Tuesday night (the 8th) we decorated our Christmas tree. Here is a picture of the events. The kids were so excited for dessert that night. We made smores over our stove.

I love this one. Aaron helping Maggie help!

Maggie found herself in HEAVEN!!

Justin had to put his ornaments the highest!

Justin is my poser!

Nate enjoyed putting ornaments on the tree this year!

Nate entertaining Maggie

Kennie is in deep concentration

Justin loves smores

Kennie enjoying his smoreNate trying to figure out his smore

Update Soon

We made it back to Ohio at midnight last night. Watch for an update soon!