Christmas

This year was our Hinman family year. Those of us not in the state headed to North Carolina where my brother and sister-in-law Jeff and Allie live with their 3 children. Allie's dad and brother Chris also joined us.

A quick note about the drive down.... it was awful and it was all my fault!  The day before we drove down I started taking a pregnancy medicine (diclegis) because I had only gained 4 pounds in the 17 weeks I had been pregnant and was experiencing constant dizziness and gastrointestinal pain. Anyhow.... after taking the medicine I because excessively crabby with everyone. Two days later I had the thought that I should look at the medicine side effects and sure enough, irritability was listed as a side effect. The next day I took half a dose and felt much better mentally and still enjoyed the physical relief that came with the medicine.

Sunday we attended and participated in my niece Emma's baptism. It's hard to believe that she is old enough! Congrat's Emma!

We decorated sugar cookies (Jacqueline loved it!)

Santa came through Jeff and Allie's neighborhood on a sleigh drawn by a truck. The kids were able to go out and tell what they wanted and receive a candy cane. Asher asked for a light saber, which he received.

We went with Allie and kids to a local Methodist church's children's nativity program which was really neat. All the kids chose a character to play and went up while the Nativity story was read. There was singing, prayers, brief sermons, it was great and really helped us all feel the spirit of the season two days before Christmas.

All the kids. My niece Emma is int he back holding up her angel wand.

Jacqueline as a shepherd.

Every Hinman family Christmas Allie prepares gag gifts for everyone. The best one was the fake mustaches.

Dad and Mom Hinman and Brother Sparks

Cowboy Rob

Alaskan Rob

The loot for 15 people

Jacqueline enjoying her new baby stroller

We watched movies, chatted, and cooked together. Family time is great!

Jacqueline loved playing dress-up with her older cousin Emma

The kids enjoyed playing Disney's "Just Dance" on xbox that my sister
gave me for Christmas. You can really work up a sweat!

Another great Christmas! I am grateful that we are able to celebrate Christ's birth with family and more actively show love during this season.