Ahh Christmas....

It is over thanks goodness. You can call me a scrooge if you want, I was not in the mood for the holidays. It seems it is all lost in decorations,shopping, money that you don't have, what gift to give your kid, did I spend enough, Christmas parties,are there enough presents, is the tree going to live, are there enough lights on the house, Christmas cards, school treats, presents for teachers, shall I go on?

This year we took a different approach. We started it off with a new tradition of Advent. This prepares our family for the birth of Christ. We light a candle each Sunday of the month of December and have a scripture reading of the story's leading up to his birth. We light the candles only on Sunday with a little verse for that color of candle, add one every Sunday up to Christmas then we light the fifth one for his birth on Christmas day. In between the Sundays every night we read a scripture and pray to keep us focused on the true meaning of Christmas. It help to keep the kids hearts in the right place during the hustle and bustle of the holidays. It also gave us all a little moment to relax and connect. A long time ago my Sister made me a beautiful Christmas book with scriptures, stories and Christmas music for every day of December. We have used this in the past to keep focused on Christ at Christmas and it came in handy this year again for stories between the Sundays!

We were home this year for Christmas Day and for the first time in years we were ALL together it was great! We got the kids a piano for Christmas so you know our house was nice an quiet.

Bella had her first Christmas pagent it was adorable! I have included pictures of that too.

On the 28Th of December we were off to Blue Harbor Or (Blue Harvor)if you ask Bella. Dan's family has a tradition to get together in a fancy resort compliments of Uncle Dale for a couple days of family togetherness with everyone. The last few years it was at Blue Harbor water park on Lake Michigan. The kids LOVE it. I have posted pictures of our time this year it was absolutely gorgeous! Nice view over the lake from our Presidential suites.

New Year was a quiet peaceful slumber. Dan and I woke two minuets before the New year rang in, the kids lit off fireworks and we all went to bed. Excitement is way heavy here in the Eckstrom home.

This new year we have a few things to look forward to. Essa turning 18, her graduation on June 4th. She will be off to college at Fox Valley into the Criminal Investigative program this fall. Dan and I will celebrate our 10 years together. I will be going home to Utah to visit for three weeks in Feburary.I can't think of anything else right now. I hope to see my sister this year its been way to long I miss her and her kids.

Well if you are wondering why you didn't get a Christmas card it is not because we don't love you. I plain forgot about cards this year. I tried a few months back to get a family picture to make a card and could not get everyone together long enough. Which tells me we all need to slow down a bit. We love you all even though you didn't get a card from us. You are in our constant prayers and thoughts. We hope you all had a wonderful peaceful holiday, we wish you all the best for the coming year. The kids and I will be out to Utah February 7Th-25Th. Hope to see some of you.



God Bless,
Magan and Dan