what to do?

So I have been blogging for a little over 2 years ago. I have people that follow my blog, read it, link to it and have me on their front page as a fave blog and so on. I follow some blogs too. Well, some of the blogs I follow I do not know the person directly or I know the person through someone else. Well, what do you do when you run into a person while out and about who does not exactly know you but you read their blog. I ran into a lady at target that I sorta know through blogging. But it was weird. Is is voyeuristic to read someone's blog that you may not know well?? I sorta think so. But will I stop? I sometimes wish it gave me something that let me know who looked at my blog. I have debated going private that way I know who is looking at mine and so on. Does anyone else lurk to other blogs? Be honest!!!

I remember reading McMama's blog and she has 1000 peps read her blog for sure. She passed someone is Target once and heard them whisper about her. She heard,"I think that is McMama." I am not famous like her for sure but it is sorta werid to have your life out ther for all to see and you do not know who is watching. What if some perv found my blog and was looking at my pics of my kids. GROSS!!

Do I go private? AHHH!!! I know there are a lot of people who read my blog but never post a comment. I look at how many people view it so I know there are people. I just don't have everyone's email to send a invite to look at my blog. That is really why I have yet to do it.

We wish a Merry CHRISTmas!!!

We want to wish all our family and friends near and far a very Merry CHRISTmas. We love you and send you lots of hugs and kisses.

Christmas Morning

We had a great time opening presents this morning. We are so thankful for all the gifts that were given to our family this year and for the gifts from Grandpa and Grandma, Grandpa and Grammie too. The kids are enjoying them a lot and Mommy and Daddy are enjoying their gifts too.

Mommy and the kids in our monkey jammies. Too bad we could not find one's for Daddy then we'd all match.

E was a great helper. He'd read who it was for and then would pass them out. It was very nice and he enjoyed it.

A storybook for Miss M

E in his spiritual armor.

Trying to sit in the doll stroller. I think you are a little too big girl!

Loves the hockey set

M sippin on some tea from her play tea set. M's new kitchen

Pirates, Easton's fave

Already playing like a lil pro. Makes Daddy so happy.

Trying out the art stuff. That was fun.

E likes the color wonder magic light brush a lot

Fun at Park

Merry Christmas Photo Fun

It was a beautiful day today. Not even really that cold. We hear it was colder in CA then it was here. So this afternoon we went out and took some fun pictures of the kids and these giant lollipops.

Yes, the loli matched her outift.

Easton having lots of fun

My handsome boy

He was a ham today. It was that or the sugar high.

They did not even finish these things. They were huge and were full of slobber. But they had fun w/ them.

Merry Christmas Eve!!

We had a Christmas Eve dinner at our house w/ some friends. We had a great meal and the kids enjoyed playing.

Holding Kenna a real life baby. M loves her. She always hugs, kisses, wants to hold her and even tries to pick her up.

She even I think says her name now instead of baby.

M had a book in her arms and I took it away for the picture

Licking her plate after dinner

She is either part dog or lacks manners

These jammies fit these 2 monkeys perfectly.

My 2 lil monkeys on Christmas eve night!!!

Thanks Grammie and Grandpa. They love them!

It is always fun to have new jammies for Christmas morning

Opening a present early

We let the kids open one present each on Christmas Eve. I got to do that as a kid growing up and I think it is a nice tradition.

E opening his present.

He loves his magnetic calendar

M just woke from her nap so she was a little out of it still.

But then someone took her doll.

Give it back and no one will be hurt.

All better.

She loves dolls and is a little mommy to it already.

Decorating cookles and playing outside

We had a playdate today w/ some friends. The kids decorated some cookies and then we went to the playground as it was a nice morning. Man I miss that playground. It was in the complex we used to live in and it is just the right size for the kids and we always could just walk to it. What a luxury.

My pics are out of order yet again. Sorry!!!

The wind is a blowing!!!

Making his candy cane

Her star

Big smiles!

Nice stripes

Makenlee-"Can I jump down there?"

Mommy- "No, MAKENLEE!!!"

Christmas Miracle

Last Thursday I found a envelope that was filled w/ a gift for our family. I have no idea who you are but you know my family and maybe you read my blog. God Bless you!!!!

Dear Gift Giver,

One word. WOW! I opened my mailbox Thursday and found a VERY nice gift. You do not know how much that blesses our family. We so appreciative of your generosity and sacrifice. I wish I could tell you in person but you want to remain anonymous. That is OK. God knows and HE will richly reward you as he already has. We are so truly thankful for what you have done.

The Cox Family

Merry Christmas Eve Eve

I have had this for a few years and I love reading it. Thought I'd pass on to you to read tomorrow to your families.

’Twas the Night Before Christmas... Bethlehem Style
Adapted from the C.Clarke Moore story
Written by Erin Hagemeister

’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the land
all the creatures were stirring for the Glory at hand.
The stars were all hung in the crisp evening sky,
but one shone much brighter and hung twice as high.

The shepherds were watching their flocks o'er the hills,
while Angels appeared to tell them God's will.
And Mary on her donkey and Joseph with his staff,
had just arrived from a far away land.

When a rap on the door, arose such a clatter,
the innkeeper answered to see what was the matter,
“Away to the stable” was all he could say,
for the rooms were all full, there was no place to stay.

The star shining through the rafters with a glow
gave the lustre of riches to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should behold,
but a miniature manger that belonged to a foal.

With a little whimper, and a cry so mild,
I knew in a moment it must be the Christ Child.
More rapid than eagles, His Angels they came,
and sang Glory to God as they called Him by name:

"Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Our Savior and King!
Emmanuel, Eternal Father, new born Prince of Peace!"
"Holy, Holy, Holy" their voices they rang,
more beautiful than harps or bells as they sang.

The hay glowed like Gold as we all stared in awe,
at the sight we beheld that night until dawn
Even the animals, they lay there so still,
With a sense of reverence, to abide in Gods will.

And then, in a twinkling, I saw down the road
three shadows approaching with camels in tow.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
from the Orient, the East, Three Kings came to town.

They were dressed in fine robes, from their heads to their toes
and had crowns of bright jewels that sparkled and glowed.
And each bearing a gift, of the finest of things,
Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, the first offering to their King.

His eyes-- how they twinkled! His dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, His nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
and His soft precious skin was as pure as the snow.

The star twinkled above with a wonderful light,
as the glory of God, it pierced through the night.
He had tiny hands and a little round face,
that shone when he smiled, with humility and grace.

He was perfect and precious, possessing Eternal Wealth,
and I bowed when I saw Him, in spite of myself.
The Peace that I felt and the Joy in my heart,
soon gave me a Hope that my new life would start.

I spoke not a word, but went straight to my home,
to tell of His story to all that I'd known.
And the love that surrounded me, I just had to share,
The Prophecy Fulfilled, the Messiah was here!

And as morning gave way and the Angels ascended,
They sang of this Christmas and the Gift that was given.
Then I heard the Lord proclaim throughout the whole Earth
“Eternal Life I give, through my only Sons birth”

The Christmas Card...

How I love doing my Christmas card/photo/letter and how I love getting them. It is so fun to see how the families have grown and kids growing and maturing over the years. I also love the letters that catch you up on the year. Love it all! But why is it getting that perfect shot is so stressful. Kids looking one way, not smiling, picking noses, me the mom pulling my hair out and screaming, bribing, coaxing, etc. doing whatever to get them to look and smile at the SAME time. Why don't I send that pic out. B/c I want everyone on my list to see my family happy and so attentive...Ha! I have a new respect for the whole drama that entails Christmas card pics. I would one yr. like to send a picture that entails the stress. But I will probably just keep trying. I always tell the photographer I just need 1 shot that is all. But it makes great memories.

Happy B-day Jesus Party

We had our 3rd annual Happy B-day Jesus party. I tried doing it with the kids friend's outside of small grp but with school schedules I could never find a day that would work for everyone so we did it at small group this year. We have 13 kids between all the couples so it was more then enough fun.

Easton was really into this year. Maybe b/c he is obsessed w/ b-day's as much as I am. But the kids all got to decorate cupcakes. A party w/o cupcakes is not a party in our book. Ha! We only got pics of them decorating the cupcakes. It is always fun to have the kids bring a gift to donate for a child who may not get any other gift this year. It also is teaching our kids the act of giving to others. Other then planning my own kids b-day party this is one of my fave things to do with them.

Here is 1/2 the kids decorating

Jaylon and Jonah decorating
E, Clay and M

Showing off his cupcake

Yummy! A frosting stache!!

Rainy Day fun!

It was kinda rainy yesterday but it stoped long enough for M to go out and play outside. It was windy but she enjoyed getting some fresh air.

Check out my lady bug rainboots!

Yes, this is this weeks obsession. She loves her boots.

You may ask oh, why did Easton not come out. Well, it was windy and he had this crazy fear he or Makenlee were going to blow away so he kept screaming at Makenlee to come inside. Which just made her laugh and she in turn played more. She probably enjoyed the fact she could do whatever she wanted and play with whatever. Alas not having to share w/ big bro.

More sprout fun

I had to work today so Jon took the kids to Sprout's 1st B-day party. They had fun of course.

The conductor

new silly glasses

Easton would make a great vet but only if the animals were not real. HA!