Merry Christmas from our family!

Our Christmas Video Greeting:

Last year's Christmas Video Greeting (which I forgot to share here last year) :

I was able to do a quick Christmas photoshoot for my parents this year, too and LOVE how their pictures turned out!! 

We hope your Christmas is extra sweet this year!! 

1 John 1:5-9

This is the message we have heard from Him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Little Elm Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Parade

 

We went to Little Elm's annual parade of lights and tree lighting ceremony again this year. 

As the town gathered around the tree waiting for the ceremony to begin a singer sang Christmas songs and played his guitar. I asked Gabe and Selah if they thought we could turn on our phone lights and get others to turn theirs on (lighter style) while the musician played. Soon after we stared, others started joining us all around the circle. I told them that is what happens when we let our lights shine. The people around us catch the light and their light spreads, too!! It was so fun!!

Little Elm's tree lighting never disappoints!!! They have the most spectacular fire works show ever!

Merry Christmas, Little Elm! Let your light shine!!!

Christmas Concerts and Performances

 

The Kids Praise Choir kicks of our Christmas season every year with their Christmas concert at the mall. 

Faith had a speaking part and delivered it with great feeling and emotion!

She also sang in an ensemble!

The concert always draws a huge crowd - mainly of family and church members.

The following weekend the Middle School and High School Choirs had their concerts. The Middle School went to nursing homes.

They also sang together in the morning services. There were over 170 youth singing on our stage and it was awesome!! Gabe had the solo and did an amazing job!

You can hear it here: 

That evening the High Schoolers sang at the Dallas Arboretum.

Selah and I also had a neat opportunity to lead worship together for our church's Women's Christmas Event.  

We have really enjoyed the music of the season this year!

Thanksgiving in Belton

We spent Thanksgiving in Belton again this year. We went down on Wednesday, which also happened to be Gabe's 17th birthday!! He requested Dynasty for dinner and was surprised when Joel and Amanda joined us!

The next day was Thanksgiving. Byron and I cooked - Byron did the turkey and I did the sides and desserts.

Gabe's friend Samuel joined us for Thanksgiving this year. What a blessing to have him with us. Although, he learned all of our family secrets - good and bad!! HA!!

After dinner Amanda and Joel joined us again for games and dessert.

On Friday the boys went bowling and the girls went to the Sammy Show!

That evening we went to Nicol's house for the Serna gathering. Always a fun time!!

We always celebrate the November birthdays - we have three that are always within days of Thanksgiving. 

Payton really likes Mig!

Mandatory group shot!

Siblings

Couples:

It was a fun holiday!