Christmas Time Is Here...and There...and Everywhere...and Gone

How does this all fly by so fast now that I'm an adult? I can remember as a kid the entire month of December being Christmas. What was sad was that until Saturday when my folks came over to do Christmas with us...I didn't feel that normal Christmas-y feeling I get every year around this time. I think all of this commercialization is desensitizing me, and that my folks is sad.

Like I said, Saturday my folks came over and we did Christmas with them. They, of course, got WAY too much for kiddos, but isn't that what Grandparents are for? This was my FAVORITE shot...


He definitely marches to the beat of his own drum!

Then, that afternoon we headed out to Ashdown. Since having kids we usually try to make sure and be at home on Christmas morning, but with my mother-in-law having such a rough last few month, we broke that rule. And we had a great time with them. Sunday we went to church with them and then to lunch with some of their best friends. That evening we cooked and cooked and baked and baked for the Annual Overstreet Christmas Party the next night. The party was fun...and Belle never drank a thing.



After the party, David read a kids version of the Christmas story. After that, Belle prayed. She asked us all to get in the floor in a circle and hold hands. She thanked God for His "many miracles and His Good tidings and great joy"! Amen!



When we were down there for deer hunting back in November, Belle and her Grandpa whipped up a birdhouse. Belle's instructions of course. They didn't have time to paint it then, but Grandpa promised her they would this time. And that's exactly what they did.





Isn't that the most colorful birdhouse you have ever seen? And you can't take back the memories that were made, that's for sure.

Then came Christmas morning. Of course, these grandparents got the kiddos (and us for that matter) WAY too much! But, then again isn't that what Grandparents are for? Again.

The first picture cracks me up! It wasn't even his gift.





Then yesterday we got to spend the evening with my BFF from Wisconsin, Rebekah Marie Gorham, what kind of Ham is that, Lovell! Now, she got the kids just as much as the Grandparents did. No excuses for her. Trust me...there are none. Here are just a few from her visit.





Well...I know this was super long and just a few photos of each event (more are over in the photo album to your right) so I'll close with this.

"You are wonderful, Little Prince of Peace, Tiny Counselor, All Mighty God. You are Ancient of Days, Precious Newborn King, I Am You Are!"

Amen!

I pray you all had a WONDERFUL Christmas!

From a Sneak Peek to a Full On Preview

I have had so many folks ask for the rest of the photos I promised. Sorry, I had to wait until certain people got some of their Christmas Gifts before I could post them. But, we went to a new photographer in Vilonia on the recommendation of a friend. Boy was she worth it! She got some wonderful shots of the kiddos.

These are just a FEW of my favorites. You can see all of them over in my photo album.













Now...the link to her blog is to your right called "Rebecca C Photography". Go ahead...make an appointment!

Parties, Parties, and More Parties

The Kids have participated in a couple of parties the last few days. And boy have they had a great time.

This first one was of a birthday party that Belle attended for Mrs. Kim's daughter, Madison. It was at the skating rink, but why would we want to skate...

...when there were turtles!


Go girl, GO!


Um...this was interesting...and painful!


Aren't we cute?

Then, yesterday, the kids had their party at the daycare. They made cookies and had a book exchange. Here are just a few from that.


Getting ready.


Making our cookies


And we are off to find our presents!

I want to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Overstreets! And as I heard just a little bit ago, "This is a time to give and a time to receive. A time to tell the world what we believe. There was a baby born from love who was sent to us from God above!"

Hallelujah!

Merry Christmas...

...From the Cheeriest Elf in all the North Pole.


Elf Sissy!

I'm sure she will make an extra special gift for Tiffany for this one.

Lukey is Rounding 1st and Stealing 2nd!

Since Luke's birthday is this Sunday, and so close to Christmas, we celebrated his birthday this past Saturday with a baseball themed party. We had a great time with close friends and family and couldn't have asked for a better time.

Well...except for the birthday boy SCREAMING to tear into the cake.

But other than that...

Here are a few photos of the great day. The rest of them are in the photo album to the right.


Here's the Cake Alison and Belle made


The Concession Stand at "Lukey Stadium"


The gift bags


Great Job, Kelsey!


Happy Birthday to Lukey!


Sister and her BFF, Kelsey


Taylor came to join the fun


Tauning My Mother!

Can't you just see the trouble in his eyes! Geez...

I do believe that I'm going to start taking the suggestion of having Luke a Half Birthday party in July every year. Christmas in July!

Sneak Peek

To Be Continued...

I'm Ready for My Closeup, Mr. Deville...

Let's start with the shenanigans in the shower this past evening. I brought my dirty little kiddos home and put them in the shower. You know...so I could remember what they looked like?

The following argument began.



Isn't that just LIKE a man! NEVER give a straight answer. I swear! Were they given a handbook or something? He eventually said yes, but it was AFTER some swaying from the Sister.

And I think a kiss.

And I think some begging.

Again...all the same.

Then, I was finally able to get on video what I have been longing for since the book was discovered. Max Lucado has a line of children's books about Hermie the Caterpillar. The voices for these creatures are characters like Tim Conway, Don Knotts, and Vicki Lawrence.

It's always good to keep a history of good comedic character going in your kids.

Anywho...last Christmas we picked up their "12 Days of Christmas" book with accompanying DVD that has Third Day singing the song as the "Water Beetles" (Picture Mac Powell as Paul McCartney!) Luke fell in love with it and kept bringing the book to any of us to sing it. When we got to this one part every time, we would roll!!!!

Here's why:



Bet you'll never sing that song the same way again.

Rent-A-Hubby/Hero

The other day I could not find my handsome man. I finally heard something going on in my closet. Here is what I found...


Someone has to work around here!


One Cute Handyman!

I will rent him out...

If I can find a way around the child labor law.

He'll throw in his saving-the-damsel-in-distress ability for free!