Christmas Morning Smiles

We had an amazing time together as a family. We sang 'Happy Birthday' to Jesus and ate cupcakes for breakfast, played games and watched movies....peaceful!!!

Peace

For to us a child is born,to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder,and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas from the Self's

Samantha looses her first tooth!!!

This is her letting her brother wiggle and wiggle and trying to pull it out. She didn't want me anywhere near it at first but her brother could do what ever he wants...funny girl!

SUCCESS!!!! After a little reverse psycology she decided she wanted mommy to pull it out. She stood in the family room and yelled to the tooth fairy to please put a barbie under her pillow. Well my darling, the tooth fairy is also having to scale back in this economy...hahahah!

This is her calling all her Aunties and her Uncle Rich...she doesn't look super excited or anything?

Such a special night...oh the memories!!!

Self Family Christmas 2009

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Such happy faces!!!

Always have time to wrestle and horse around with all the kids

Loving on the Grandma

Just being silly!

Aunties and Uncles are the greatest

Rock, paper, scissors for a gift from Uncle Lou

Cousins playing a new game...so fun!!

BASEBALL!!!! (He is so happy!!!)

Napa Valley/ San Fran at night day 3

Ever since I went to Portland Wine country Oct 09 I have been wanting to go back and see more vineyards. They are so beautiful to me. I love the way the hills roll and roll and the fields seem to go on forever. In Portland, I was there right before the harvest and of course in Napa all the vines have been dormant for a while now, but I still find them extraordinary. I love the dormant vines contrasted with the beautiful green grass. I can close my eyes and see these magnificent plants begin to come back to life in the spring and bear fruit again. I just love the way God makes all things new again.

On advice from a wonderful friend I went on from Napa to Sonoma...wow, beautiful!!! The downtown is small and historical and I would love to walk all the streets and shops with a couple of girls friends.

Then jsut because I thought it was so funny that they included horses and not to climb trees...hahahah, won't find anything like this in AZ.

So last night we made our way back to San Francisco to eat chowder in a bread bowl, ride the cable car up and down some amazing streets, drive down Lumbart street and buy chocolate!! I decided not to take my big camera, sometimes you just need a break, so we took Shane's point and shoot which had the battery die right after this picture. So, no cable car photos, or chowder or craziest street in the world, our memories will have to do. Anyway, we just missed the rain and enjoyed the much less crowded city and all the holiday lights.

A good shot from the botanical gardens on Sunday...

Redwood State Park

This place just left me speechless. I already know we serve and worship an amazing God, but seriously to see His creation, to see Him in this place...awe-inspiring! Some interesting things I wanted to note, because it really does confirm His plan and His understanding of how His creation would work. First, these giant trees are not really all the far from the ocean...I would estimate from our church to maybe Tempe Town Lake...that alone amazes me. Also, there are many parts of this forest that never sees the light from the sun. There is a mist that rolls in and doesn't seem to ever leave. Sand from the beaches covers the path I walked. God places these giant trees in these hills purposely and with that intention created a life that would grow, thrive in wet, sandy conditions. Amazing!!! I fall on my knees humbled again by His glory and purpose for my life. I cannot wait for the day when I can take all the kids to see the glory of His creation here in this forest.