Off to look at the lights

Do you have a tree up? The majority of you would answer yes while we would answer no. Only three days til the move begins. So being with the season, we are loading up and driving around listening to Christmas music and looking at all the lights around town and in Sioux Falls, it should be fun and a nice way to conclude our time here. I have several get togethers left via preschool and with friends before the last box is packed and loaded.

Sending you warm wishes- The Freeman

Preparing to face the cold

We have overnight bags, suitcases, bags of DVD's, wipes, books, pull-ups, snacks and loads of Christmas gifts- divided by state all ready to be packed into Kyle's truck for the long haul ahead of us today. We will be leaving this afternoon for the trip home to Oklahoma and Texas. We will be spending the night with friends south of Omaha and then on to Oklahoma Saturday night for a quick stop, our niece will be baptized on Sunday and then down to Texas for the Xanthus Family Christmas til Christmas Eve, then back to Oklahoma for the Freeman Christmas on Christmas Day.

It will be a busy week, with loads of travel, family, food and fellowship. Should be fun, the miles seem to fade once we arrive and can settle into one space for a while. I am excited to see my nieces from both states and them get to play with Ella.
Ella is ready to get in the car and go and was not excited about having to go to daycare today instead of getting in Dad's truck and watching a Dora DVD. I am picking her up early this afternoon, in hopes that she took a good nap and have her set to go.

This trip might be more interesting, or not. Since Miss Ella is potty trained now, only wears a diaper to bed, I have purchased another set up pull ups for the car ride. I cleaned the potty and it will be coming with us, but in order to make better time and we haven't taken a lot of long trips, I am hoping the pull ups don't revert her back. But then, we don't give her a option, she doesn't get to wear a pull up or diaper during the day when we are home, so this rule will apply at both grandparents house! I love not having to buy diapers for a almost three year old, I have accomplished this much! Yeah. I am proud of Ella and she loves to tell us she has to go, we always thank her and get a loud "YOUR WELCOME" in reply!!!!

So wish us good luck, should be a good trip, hopefully the roads will be ok and not too much ice.

Christmas Cards

I hit the jackpot with Christmas cards last night, I think a even 12. Wow, I was impressed and had even noted over lunch with KMoss, that is seemed like Christmas cards were something that people were not participating in as much this year. Well, I was wrong about our dear friends and family, the cards came from as far as California to Mississippi, Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma and beyond!

This of course injects guilt into me for not getting a Christmas card or letter completed before the holiday is over. I am planning a New Year's card and letter, so friends and family afar, know that I will be sending details of the three of us soon. It just is going to take me a little longer this year. I am thinking I might be able to sneak in some me-time over the holidays and begin to write. I was thinking of giving a summary of each month and maybe a brief explanation of our residence.

So be looking forward to a letter from the Freeman's in 2009!

Christmas time at the Freeman house

Ella's first (of probably many) church Christmas performances was last night. It was exciting. I had a first row seat, one because I am one of the first grade Sunday School teachers, and second, I didn't want to miss seeing Ella in her glory.
She was great, I say this as a proud mom and teacher. She loved it and smiled big at both of us. I had to wipe a tear of joy, pride and love from my eye and I think Kyle did too. Ella showed us what a beautiful young little girl she is becoming. It makes all the drives to church each Sunday even more rewarding after seeing her in front of church singing along to the Christmas songs.
The only down side was the negative temps were faced coming and leaving church, wow it was cold.

And last but not least is some shot of Miss Ella and the tree, she loved decorating it this year!