Ready to go to the Christmas Eve service in honor of Granny and our Christmas Eve tradition with her. 

 

Thanks to Andy and Michele, Drew and Noelle had a blast at church!  Thanks guys for hanging out with them in the commons.

Christmas Eve dinner was so delicious!  I was about to dig in but decided to take a quick picture, however, I forgot to move my fork back into place – haha!  Rara even made us cookie place cards – so sweet!

 

We draw names with the Banks family for Secret Santa gifts that we exchange on Christmas Eve.  Michele drew my name, and to my amazement, she painted Noelle a canvas!  Thanks so so much Michele; you’re the best, and I LOVE IT! (she even put a clock on the castle, and Noelle totally noticed)

I drew Dad’s name and made him a personalized calendar, and guess what?  The kids’ pjs still fit!

   

 

 

 

Alphabet books from Aunt Joe!

 

Noelle’s new baby from the Felts – she loves her new pink princess!  Drew and his mommy snuggle for his bedtime story.

Out of the 26 alphabet books, Noelle found the clock in the "C" book – she never seizes to amaze and surprise us!  She was showing everyone her discovery.

 

The Days were the best carolers we’ve ever heard – thanks for coming to wish us a Merry Christmas!

Family tradition of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas reading.

Night night!

Noelle learned the word "buzzard" on the Yule log hike Monday.

Buzzards!  Great word.  Everyone point!

Bank on Banks found the Yule Log that we used to start the fire on Christmas morning.  Dad taught us about the land in East Texas on our hike and how this natural spring has water year round.

 

The guys and Michele made it to the top of the peak. 

Bonus Yule Log goes to Bank on Banks… and it all comes down to Pictionary.

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

2007 Family Christmas Olympics!

Introducing… Bank on Banks!

The Ebert Gang!

Team Pond!

 

The whole family finally got our baby girl to smile for a family photo!

 

Go Team Pond!

Wow – Noelle got really into the cheering!

Wha hoo!

Boo!

 

Sweet girl!

 

Kissy kissy!

Let the games begin!

Spades tournament!

 

Bank on Banks is already losing focus!

Rifle and Pistol class

  

"In Flight"

Our funny funny parents seem to constantly crack themselves up!

 

The kids got to open some first presents Sunday night!

 

 

The cousins together again!  Auntie Chele is the best!

If only this picture had a soundtrack!

Yay!  What a fun birthday surprise!

Making a very important wish!

Waiting for Rara and Jax to come back inside.  It’s cold!

 

The Pond store is officially open.  Mike and I brought seasonal snacks for the gang this week; popcorn and m&ms were our staples.

Watching the Cowboys game out at the family center.

Oh the cheese!  What are you guys going to do with me?

Drew gave Noelle’s bouncy seat back from borrowing it.

I think it’s too small for you silly!

 

This is my all-time favorite nativity scene, and I wanted to share it with you.  Mike and I love Latin culture–the festive colors, the simplicity, the beauty–it’s all so great.  I love the imagery of this scene, the love of music and life in the midst of the Christ story; it’s not sacred vs. secular, life events vs. quiet-time moments – for our family, it’s all sacred, and it’s all an expression of our love for others and Jesus.

Quick story: Noelle says, "Hi puppies," and "Hi Jesus" when she walks by the nativity.  Last week, Mike was carrying Noelle upstairs to bed, but she really didn’t want to go.  She yelled out, "Mommy, mommy" but she realized that wasn’t working, so she pointed at the manger scene and yelled "Jesus, Jesus!"  Mike said, "You’re already calling on the Lord!"  We had to say one thing that we love about our child last week at MOPS (that was hard), and mine was that Noelle is FUNNY!

 

Our child is extremely tactile and inquisitive, so this year, I decided to do a table tree.  I had so much fun.  I told my mom it was like having a little model to play with.  I don’t think I’m good with interior decorating at all, but I love my little tree this year!  

Here’s to the best wife and mommy in the world!

 

 

We are so blessed to have you in our lives! You are truly a beautiful person, inside and out.

We love you! Happy Birthday!

– Mike & Noelle

Every single time we ask Noelle, "Who do you love?" She always replies, "Puppies!"  and then she giggles.  We take Clifford and        Pink dog everywhere we go, especially when it’s time to color.               This child is a serious animal lover! (she also loves glasses)!

Noelle’s new zig-zag art!  She was doing this beautifully on her  coloring book sheets, so we decided to give her blank paper to       create whatever she would like.

Noelle takes her art work very seriously.  She will grip the crayon   really hard and get her head right down close to the paper.              This is the first thing that has truly entertained our busy body!

Right in the middle of saying "cheese!!!"  I love it! 

This is one of my favorites – Noelle chooses which colors to use         and goes to town.  We think it looks really cool!

Noelle loves Jamie’s bow!

Some of the girls playing after eating lots of chicken!

Noelle having a blast at play group.