O Christmas Tree

Ok, Ok.....I know we've posted a lot this weekend, but what can we say? It's a busy December!!! One tradition that has been part of the Francis Family for almost 10 years is the Christmas Tree Decorating Extravaganza ( as we have come to call it!) We prepare finger foods, fondue and some Christmas goodies to munch on while we pull out each ornament, talk about its history and put it on the tree. Dan and I have many ornaments from our childhood trees and the kids always like to hear about where they came from each time we pull them out. Several of our ornaments were handmade by my (JJ's) grandmother. Now that she has passed away they hold even more value.

In this post are also pictures of our Christmas lights. As many of you know, Dan's dream is that our house would have lights similar to that of the Griswald's house on "National Lampoons: Christmas Vacation." So, each year we seem to inch our way closer to that goal (that's right....start up the John Deere and bring it right up onto the lawn!) Have a blessed week!











Our house at night.









Big Dan showing little Dan the ropes!









Savannah being silly!

The Good News Christmas Cruise

It's the Good News Christmas Cruise! This past weekend the girl's school performed their annual Christmas Musical. Savannah was thrilled to play one of the lead parts and McKayla was so excited to shake her maracas and sing!! Here are a few pictures from the girl's big night! We also thought you may enjoy seeing the kids pose in front of our giant Frosty the Snowman, as well as with our neighbor's inflatable Shrek (he, of course, is a huge hit with the neighborhood kids!) We pray that your Christmas season continues to be blessed. Love to you all.









McKayla sings as one of the passengers on the "Good News Cruise."












Savannah sings her heart out as "Kimmy" the ship's activity director.











Waiting patiently for her line!











A sweet angel in the 2nd act.














Waiting in the wings!!!














Frosty and Friends in Traceside!














Shrek and the little ones.

Gingerbread Geranimo!

Tis the season for holiday baking! What would this season be without Christmas cookies and gingerbread houses? The other night, after the kids helped Dan put up the lights and our inflatable Frosty (thanks mom) we decided to make our own gingerbread house. Quaint, you say? Perhaps, however attempting to balance 6 pieces of gingerbread upright with only runny, white icing, while appeasing the growing uprising over the fact that there is only one piping bag is another task entirely! After carefully "gluing" together the sides of the gingerbread abode we had to quickly shift it to the freezer because 2 year olds really can't wait the recommended 30 minutes in order for everything to solidify. After several minutes in the freezer we returned the house to the table in preparation for the roof....a moment we had all been waiting for. Although somewhat lopsided, Savannah managed to ice the roof together and then place it on the sides of the house. We all stood back and beamed at the completion of the home awaiting it's candy decorations. Yet, ever so slowly the left side of the roof began to slide down one side while the opposite side started to cave in. We watched as our masterpiece oozed icing from every side and collapsed into a broken heap. There was a very long moment of silence before, what I thought were going to be tears, but turned out to be hysterical laughter. The kids thought it was the funniest thing they had ever seen! (whew!) So, instead of a gingerbread house, each of them picked a side, iced and decorated it as one giant gingerbread cookie. I guess when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade! Hope you enjoy!!! Blessings to you.

Team Titan and other news!

Go Titans!!! This afternoon Dan and Savannah headed out to watch the Titans play the Chargers! Savannah has become a true Tennessee Titans fan, following in her daddy's footsteps! Our wintery weather has (momentarily) turned into what feels like a spring afternoon. So, I guess the saying of the south holds true...If you don't like the weather, just wait 5 minutes. Fortunately for those at the game, they won't be run out by bad weather. =)

Some other family news.....last week JJ finished her Master's degree in Education. It has been a little over two years in the making but it's finally done! We are so grateful for our amazing family and friends who have been so supportive and encouraging. Also for the gracious staff at Our Savior Lutheran Academy who was a huge part of JJ's experience and training. Most of all, though, we are grateful for the Lord who was more faithful than we could have imagined! He put the seemingly impossible before us, a number of times, and through Him made it all possible! "Because of the Lord's great love, we are not consumed. For His compassions never fail they are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness!" Lamentations 3:22-23.

Finally, we are excited to share that we will be out in California for the holidays! We are thrilled to be able to spend time with our family and friends. So be on the lookout for new pictures in the next couple of weeks.
We pray that you are blessed this Christmas season and that you are all able to spend time with your loved ones. Most of all, we pray that you remember the gift of love that was given to you over 2000 years ago, Jesus the King! Love to you all.
----The Francis 5