Tis the Season for JOY

Having the opportunity of taking Christmas to an orphanage in Honduras was a great start to the season. I am so humbled by the generosity of those wanting to help. All we had planned was to take shoes for each of the 20 kids. Instead we were able to get each of them a new outfit, new SHOES, socks, underwear, hair flowers and jewelry for each of the girls, toys and other daily needs.

Without hardly know them I grew a love for these sweet kids.
I'm so glad we could bring JOY to their Christmas! 

thank you THANK YOU thank you

 

 

Thank you to my incredible mother for making this Christmas so beautiful. While I was sick in bed all day, she was sick making things look pretty. Everyone needs a mother like you! 

 

 

Thank you dad for making  the coolest toys for the kids.

Thank you Costa Rica for leaving your mark. Blurry Christmas pictures are just what I wanted!

 

Why hello there Inspector Clouseau, I didn't know you were coming for Christmas!

 

The Sunday before Christmas we had the kids play The Navitvity. It was so nice to set aside a day to focus on our Savior. There were no distractions of opening presents or the crazyness that Christmas can sometimes bring. They really got into the roles and played their parts perfectly. Even Addie who was under the weather played our beautiful angel.
 

 

We can always count on Dolly for entertaining the kids with cute activities. This year all the cousins drew names and were able to go shopping at the The Christmas Shop. They were so excited to GIVE!

 

 

 Matt almost didn't make it for Christmas. He was held up in Atlanta till Christmas Eve. Luckily Dylans prayer was answered and he made it just in time. Feeling so blessed to be surrounded by my whole family this Christmas. 

 

 



SNOW DAY!!!

 



 

 

Honduras Bound!

This was supposed to be a video:( I pushed the wrong button, but I love it anyway! Don't you love capturing moments like this! Sick and tired of crying goodbyes... but they make for some pretty SWEET reunions!



 

This girl was shrieking with joy! Some come by it honestly.

 

 

 

Getting a smile out of this guy is pretty easy... as long as there's a helicopter in the picture.

I like to think it's cause we're there:)

So happy he's able to do what he loves... even if it has to be 2000+ miles away.

 

 

 

Matt surprised us with a weekend trip to Costa Rica. Apart from the few obstacles we had to climb through... and drive through... as in forging a river in the jungle in the middle of the night, it was a pretty sweet time. This boy spoils me to pieces. He's the best! I don't know how I got so lucky!

 

 

 

I could go on... and on about all the problems we had on this trip, like getting sandy sea water in my precious camera. Sadly my pictures won't be as great from now on but... even that won't stain my memory of this GORGEOUS beach! I would have thought it was untouched. I love exploring this BEAUTIFUL earth!  

 

This place was so remote, Ella even made a local friend.

 

Our little crab, catching CRABS!

 





Eating with the locals, and the coolest highchair I've ever seen.

 

 

 

Seriously can it get much better than this!

Rocking in hammocks while sipping on pina coladas, watching the sun set.

 

 

Matt scored big points when he found these GORGOUS Pranamar Villas on the Santa Teresa coast. I mean seriously! I'm considering moving in, who wants to join me? 

 

 

 

 COCONUT peanut SATAY skewers in a bed of wild QUINOA with grilled vegetables. One of the  many delicious meals we ate at Buddha Eyes, the Resturant across the pool.