happy to be His children

The month of December is usually filled with celebrations;

opportunities to rejoice in the gift God gave in sending His Son to this earth.

But being so full, the celebrations often fly by without record.

So here, for the record, are a few of our memories of Christmas 2013.

Clockwise: - Kuya Ronnie and Michael happy to be celebrating together again this year.

- Elise and Amy share a piano and flute duet at the church Christmas party.

- Mark and Elise win the 20 questions type game!  Great teamwork, guys!

- Neil and a friend sing a beautiful Christmas carol duet for us, accompanied by Vic on the guitar.

L-R: A sweet handmade gift from a sweeter friend, 

feasting at the Church party; 

Michael and AJ give two delighted little girls a ride on the table as they set up the room for the feast!

Clockwise: Games at the high school Christmas party; 

 Enjoying an Italian dinner at the high school Christmas party; 

an Agdao Violin Institute benefit concert; 

a staff Christmas celebration with our co-workers.

Clockwise: - A Christmas Eve home celebration of Lessons and Carols

 - our traditional Christmas cookie feast on Christmas Eve

- stockings on Christmas morning (with candy canes!  thank you, A and J!!) 

- a delightful Tolkeinish Christmas surprise from Michael to his sisters

- father and son tinker with their Christmas R/C motor kits

- Elise helps prepare Christmas brunch.

We missed out getting lots of other photos... like our Christmas dinner with a co-worker, 

and Christmas night movie and snacks with friends.  

But we treasure the memories, and rejoice in the reason for all of our celebrations.  

We are so happy to be His children!

Oh, God...
help us rightly to remember
the birth of Jesus, that
we may share in the songs
of the angels, the gladness
of the shepherds, and the
worship of the wise men.

May the Christmas morning
make us happy
to be your children.

~Robert Louis Stevenson