Christmas in O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A! Oklahoma, OK!

I love going home. Love, love, love it.  I'm always so tired when I get there, though. Must be because I can fully relax and just be myself. The kiddo's love to be there also.  I love to see my family and am amazed how after only 30 short days, each niece and nephew grew 3 inches and their feet are a size bigger! :)

No "1st Christmas" to celebrate this year, but we look forward to the baby that will join us next year.  We love our ever expanding Levings' family tree. Just when you think Mom and Dad's house can't hold one more person, we seem to always find the room.

We opened presents mid afternoon watching each kid squeal after getting to sit on the special chair. Then we had our traditional hamburger supper (love that tradition).

It was a day of play and laughter, and a hot dice, grab the present game.  This might just be starting an annual tradition, making this our 2nd year.

Here are some pictures from our Christmas celebration.

Christmas Day!!!

Glorious day of peace, love, and new toys.  We try to talk a lot about the true reason for the season, but somehow, the excitement of Santa and his reindeer dominate, especially on Christmas morning.  We had a really great pajama day at home celebrating Christmas with our little family.

Santa brought Beau a John Cena autograph, a new John Cena shirt and DVD. Santa brought Brenley a new Princess Doll, and of course Mom and Dad got them a few other goodies. We played and cleaned and tried to praise His name. We are thankful that we are all healthy and happy this year.  We are blessed we got to visit one family and we looked very forward to seeing another family the following day.

Christmas in McPherson

Wonderful time at Grandma and Grandpa's on Christmas Eve. We had a great soup lunch, enjoyed stockings, then church, and finally home for presents and pie (and some leftover soup!).

It was Will's 1st Christmas. He is 8 months old and so cute!   Here are some pictures of our little cuties and their loot!

And we got to visit Laurie and Seth's new home!  It's awesome.  They are making a really great home for their new babies (two boys!).........which is our next big family affair!  Here is our pretty (and pregnant) sister......she looks beautiful!  And the way Seth likes to put puzzles together........he is set to be a fine Dad!

Brenley's Christmas Program @ NRA

Jingle Bells
Little Drummer Boy
Silent Night
What a performance! Not sure which song we liked better, but our singer belted each one out. Initially she was shy, but her brother was in the front row (no school for him) and he was encouraging her on. Shortly thereafter, she was getting into it.   Again, not great video, but the audio is decent.

Afterward, we went into her room for her gift exchange (a new puppy in a purse) and a story read by a fellow Mom. It was a fun hour spent!

Brenley Singing and my first video attempt

Brenley LOVES to sing all of a sudden.  She has taken an interest in music, as well as wanting to "wiggle, wiggle, wiggle." So we recently bought a very inexpensive small video recorder so I could test and play before we invested in something nicer. Bear with me and the quality, but if the audio works, it's pretty cute.

Brenley's 1st Haircut

So am I considered a bad Mom for not cutting my daughter's hair in 34 months?!?!?!

Well, her hair was so pretty and getting so long, but it was time. Time to cut off those ends and get her a little shape. So the hairdresser cut off maybe an inch to an inch and a half. It's all one length now. And still long, so mama was happy and hopefully it eases up the tangles.

Brenley did so great. She sat so still. Tucked her chin when she needed too. She was a big girl and we were very proud of her!  We ended leaving with a sucker, a certificate, and mama got some locks of hair. Sniff Sniff

The BEFORE PICTURES..........

The cut......tuck your chin down baby.  But wait, Toy Story is on.......I need to watch!

 Ta da!  It's over all done.

And now after her blowout!  Beautiful girl!