Last Minute Gifts

While goofing around on the internet today, I found the greatest thing. A 2006 gift catalog for Samaritan's Purse (a relief/mission organization founed by Franklin Graham. You can "purchase" everything from 12 baby chicks that grow up to lay hundreds of eggs ($10) to sewing machines for vocational training to plane tickets to get a sick child the medical treatment he/she needs. If you're looking for a creative way to get in that last tax deduction of the year, check it out. https://www.samaritanspurse.org/Giving_CCat.asp# At least take a look and keep it in mind for next year.

Merry Christmas! I can't believe it's come and gone already. I will miss my Christmas tree.  

This Christmas we also celebrated the safe return of Alysun, Jeff and Emmaleigh from Africa. They had a wonderful time, but were glad to be home. We had stuffed french toast, scrambled eggs, hashbrowns, sausage and fruit for "lunch" after church before we opened our presents. 

Snowman book from Mommy and Daddy 

The jet-lag caught up to Emma and she took a rest on her mom's new towels. 

Benton's cousin Lisa knows him well. She couldn't decide weather to get him Curious George or a big empty box, so she got him both. Benton and Emma had a great time playing in the giant box. Uncle Mike even cut a door in the side so they could get in and out by themselves. It was far and away the most fun present this Christmas. 

Grandma, her grandkids, and great grandkids--plus two more little boys coming this spring. 

Benton patiently waits for his breakfast Christmas morning. 

A stormy Christmas morning kicked off the Ewert Family Bi-annual Christmas at the beach. It was beautiful!  

Usually when it's too quiet in the house, I find something like this: 

But today, I found this! What a good boy! (Even if his socks don't match his shirt) 

Hippy Holidays from the Lundes

Don't worry. We haven't given up personal hygene and moved into a bus. But you know us, we just couldn't stick with the status quo!

Hippy Family Photo #2 

And the Unveiling of the long awaited anual Christmas photo of Benton Thomas Stone Lunde and Emmaleigh Danielle Peters: 

My friend Soren came over the other night and we watched a movie. It was terribly exciting. 

Here's our handsome boy! 

I was looking at pictures on my camera the other day and stumbled across these pictures from Bauman Farms. We took a day trip back in October with the Taylors and the Rowles. We had so much fun soaking in all the fall atmosphere (and the apple cider donuts). 

McKinzie helped Benton down the slide. 

Jazzmine shared her Pumkin Ice Cream. 

Resting on a pumkin after a long day of playing. 

It's a...

Brother!!!

Benton's brother is due April 17th (which is the perfect date, incedentally. "Not too hot not too cold. All you need is a light jacket." Name that movie for scads of bonus points). Anyway, we're very excited about having another little boy to love and clean up after. I'll try to get some pictures of him posted in the next day or so. Or maybe not.

We spent Thanksgiving out at the Browns this year. It was a full day (emphasis on full). It was good to spend the day with family, though we missed the ones who couldn't be there: The Peters in Africa, Drew across a pond or two, and Jessi holding down the fort in Virginia. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

"More cranberry!" (He's not my kid). 

"Punky-Pie. Mmmm. S'good." 

Benton wasn't the only one enjoying Thanksgiving dinner! 

"Just one gumball? C'mon. Gum is a pallet cleanser, right?" 

Peek-a-boo!