Christmas Morning

First, I must express my gratitude for my family. God has blessed me with an amazing husband (and father to our girls) and three precious daughters... They are gifts that I daily discover...

Hopefully, this is our first of many Christmas mornings together. We began our day with a delicious pancake breakfast made by Chef Daddy. Yum!

Next, Michael read the Bible; I am still in awe...God, Himself, became man... He grew from infant to toddler, boy to teenager, young man to adult; He came under human, parental authority; He dwelt among wretched sinners; every moment of His life complied with God's Will; He perfectly endured every hardship, pain, struggle, test that we have or will ever know; and, then He chose to die (the most horrific death) to save those whom He has called. Wow! I humbly rejoice at His miraculous birth, life and death!

Which leads to our next activity... the giving of gifts... (quite an awful segway, I know)...

Jane displays her musical bug book.
Claire looks intently at her Sesame Street musical storybook -- complete with "CD" player. :)

She, then "tries" her hand at the "tri"angle.

And, then, there was one; Rory is quite happy to see a gift targeted to her artistic tendencies.

Then, she, too begins playing a musical instrument, the violin -- expertly... Even though she is holding the violin as though it were a cello... never mind that.

Familiar melodies flowed beautifully throughout our home; the pre-programmed songs are music to my ears, literally.

And, yes, we are planning our own musical group -- The Thatcher Trio. Jane has already begun to clang the maracas.

After much play in our pajamas, we promptly took an afternoon nap... to ready ourselves for our Christmas evening...