Christmas 2012

 As promised here are a few pics from Christmas.  We had a really nice casual Christmas Eve and Christmas morning here in Charlotte with my folks.  We ate our traditional Chinese take out after the Christmas Eve service, followed by Santa letter writing and cookie staging.  It is a fine process.  Maggie is now the elected secretary for the Dirks kids and she excels at her task by leaving words of encouragement and thanks to the jolly fellow.  Henry has become an expert cookie plate arranger.

Who needs portraits with Santa when you have your very own
Christmas Poppa?

 After we opened gifts, ate a delicious brunch and had a great birthday party celebration (for Jesus of course)  we jumped in the car and moved the party to Columbia to meet up with the Zaepfel side of the family. 

 First things first...we had a light saber fight.

 Maggie and her new doll, Rebecca.

 And here's Haven...haven' a very merry Christmas (in Grandma's arms)!

 This year Maggie enjoyed having her Aunts and Grandma to herself for a little tea party in the play house.  Being one of two girls in a group of boy cousins certainly has it's perks.  The boys tried their best to barge in, but Maggie handled herself quite like a lady.

 There were lots of gifts to be unwrapped and toys to be played with!

 This guy makes my Christmas very Merry!

And of course playing with cousins at Grandma and Poppas is always a great way to celebrate.  I just love the Christmas season and the fun of getting together with family and friends.  I love that we have a reason to celebrate in Jesus!  He is our hope and  ultimate gift and reason for every season.