Over the years, our Christmas celebrations became a struggle between extravagance and simplicity (we added a child about every other year, had a limited amount to spend, and felt obligated to make Christmas a BIG deal). As a parent, it can be easy to grade the quality of the Christmas experience by the number of gifts under the tree. In past years, we would purchase items and hide them away until Christmas Eve, when we would hide in our room, sorting and wrapping all of the gifts. Inevitably, we would find that some child had too many or not enough and then, have to scramble to get more things. On Christmas morning, the children would tear through the giant pile. One year, there were so many gifts, our children got bored half way through and some of the gifts went unopened for days after.

In our recent move, our VERY LARGE and lovely tree arrived

incomplete. I didn't want another tree, but the kids needed a place to put their gifts, so we made a paper tree. We worked on it together and little by little we continue to make and place ornaments. I think it is the best tree that we have ever had.

Then, there comes the issue of gifts. How do we give our children the Christmas morning present frenzy that we grew up on, and can't bring ourselves to deny our children of, without going into debt to do it?

We have faced this crisis every Christmas, and every year, I dread it.

This year, my husband slayed my dragon for me. He is truly a hero!

The seminary clothing co-op is a God-send as well.

Don signed up the children for the "Marketplace"

Each of the children were given the opportunity to shop and choose a gift for each of their siblings, and for each of their parents. Six children, each choosing 7 gifts (5sibs+2parents) makes 42 presents under the tree - WooHoo! That's a lot. Don and I each chose a gift for each of the children as well (that's 6 more) up to 48. Then, they each chose a present for grandparents. The gift pile keeps growing....

I love that all of the gifts are already under the tree, I love to look at the pretty wrappings, and I get to enjoy them all for a couple of weeks, instead of just one day. We did buy one big gift for the family (something we likely would have purchased anyway), and Don convinced Gramma to give us one big family gift as well.

When we see all the gifts already wrapped and under the tree, it reminds us that there is plenty and that we do not need to shop for more.

I think this may be the first year that I am truly enjoying the Christmas season.

Corinne

Family Photo

We don't have a lot of opportunities to get our photo taken together, usually one of us is holding the camera. So, it's a nice treat when someone else takes a photo of us all.
Here is a shot that our Pastor's wife Terry took of us - I think it's going up on the bulletin board with our names...
we're trying to learn all the names in the congregation, but I suppose it's work for them to remember all 8 of ours too...

So, in case you don't know us all
From left to right
Ethan (7), Jacob (3), Don, Tyler (9), Caitlin (11), Noah (11 months), Corinne, Summer (14)

Imaginary play

I love to watch the kids develop their own creative ways to show what they know (especially when it's stuff I didn't even teach them).

Today, when we had friends over, Summer wrote a script, Caitlin and her friend Elsie made costumes, and they performed their production for the other 8 kids who were here.

It was great fun for everyone!

SCIENCE CENTRAL FORT WAYNE

Gramma J. took the boys to Science Central to celebrate Ethan's birthday.


The train exhibit was a big hit!


























We also had a great time 'climbing the walls'

There were places to climb for everyone, even Mommy
Noah doesn't seem to sure about the wall climbing stuff.









Ethan helped Gramma make an upside down pineapple cake - he loves pineapple, but was concerned about having an upside down cake. It turned out pretty good though.

Here's a shot from the parking lot.

See the stacks up top?

It used to be a power plant.

Cool, eh.


This video is of the crazy room at Science Central. The kids walk in and all go crazy - they can't even stand up straight.


Here is a great clip from the water section at Science Central. Noah loved that he could play too.

Ethan's Big 7 pumpkin pie & cool co-op stuff

November 22, 2009
Ethan turns 7 today




We ate pumpkin pie
It even had candles on it



The Clothing Co-op at the seminary has some really great stuff to choose from. We found the matching hat and gloves (Sponge Bob!) there. And, this Pixtar handheld toy with two games included.

We are so grateful for the generous donations that are made to the co-op. Without them, birthdays and Christmas would be much more difficult for us.

You can make a donation to the co-op at any time.
You can also purchase gift cards at the bookstore in Don's name to help cover the cost of textbooks, or you can donate directly to us by using the subscription button on this page.

Housecleaning gift for mom

I love these photos that Don took while I was in Michigan taking care of some issues with out rental house there. Everyone worked hard to make sure that I came home to a clean house. Here, Caitlin and Jacob are working together to wash the wall going up the stair that gets really dirty with eight sets of messy hands.

Tyler's Cool Pirate Ship that he built from a kit he got for his birthday.