Christmas at Our House

A big part of our family was missing this year, of course you all know that. But thankfully we were able to see and chat with Jesse. He was able to watch the kids open some of their presents. I didn't get as many photos as normal but that is ok. You can actually slowly watch our front room become just a whirlwind disaster, lol.

Kids had a pretty nice Christmas huh!

As Jesse posted before, he got a little gift of the IPod Nano, and yes he would have gotten it anyway, the move money just made it possible earlier. In addition to that, I also got something we had be planning to get for awhile too. A new camera! Can you tell the difference in the photos? With this new camera, I was able to take some video as well, and it has sound!




Then in the afternoon we went to a friends house and had Christmas dinner. She made a wonderful turkey! And if you can believe it, it was her first one.


The Stuffing and Pie I made.


That is my friend Sara, whose house we were at.


We all had a lot of fun!

Holiday Greetings!

Who Looks Like Who

I thought these would be so much fun to see. You know how everyone always says she/he look more like mom or dad well I've seen these done and thought how great to really see, lol.

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Genology

MyHeritage: Celebrity Collage - Geneology search

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

WOW, can you believe it!?!?!

Christmas is in the Air

Our tree has been up for some time now but I finally finished the tree skirt the other day. Yup thats right, I made the tree skirt. It doesn't lay all perfectly flat like I was hoping (hey, I'm still learning) but I'm happy with it.

Close up of the tree skirt.

Here are a few pictures of the kids helping decorate our tree.

Even the outside of our home is decorated. Thanks to my friend's husband, Sean.

21 Stockings

Hand crafted, filled with love and shipped off to Iraq!

These are pictures of the stocking Jesse is getting.


I know so many of our soldiers are putting their lives on the line day in and day out and don't receive a single piece of mail. With Christmas around the corner, I was determined that at least those serving with Jesse from his unit would not be forgot or ignored. So, I tracked down the perfect material, cut out my stockings and sewed them all together. I shopped ever so carefully trying to get items they could use and enjoy (I hope I exceeded in this).

I packed each of the stockings carefully. Made a bitty little card for each of them. Packed them all in one big box, with some extra goodies of course and shipped them off to Iraq yesterday. I know I'm past the guaranteed ship date, but I'm hoping and praying it will arrive in time for Christmas.

Military Christmas Poem

Christmas Poem

Twas the night before Christmas
He lived all alone
in a one bedroom house
made of plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney
with presents to give,
and to see just who
in this home did live.

I looked all about,
a strange sight I did see,
no tinsel, no presents,
not even a tree.

No stocking by mantle,
just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures
of far distant lands.

With medals and badges,
awards of all kinds,
a sober thought
came through my mind.

For this house was different,
it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier,
once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping,
silent, alone,
curled up on the floor
in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle,
the room is such disorder,
not how I pictured
a United States soldier.

Was this the hero
of whom I 'd just read?
Curled up on a poncho,
the floor for a bed?

I realized the families
that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers
who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world,
the children would play,
and grown-ups would celebrate
a bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed freedom
each month of the year,
because of the soldiers,
like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder
how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas eve
in a land far from home.

The very thought
brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees
and started to cry.

The soldier awakened
and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
this life is my choice;

I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
My life is my God,
my country, my Corps."

The soldier rolled over
and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it
I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours,
so silent and still
and we both shivered
from the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave
on that cold, dark night,
this guardian of honor
so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over,
with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa,
It's Christmas day, all is secure."

One look at my watch,
and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend
and to all a good night."


This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
The following is his request. I think it is reasonable...........

PLEASE, Would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S.service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.
Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. Please, do your small part to plant this small seed

Chris' Party!

I decided not to do anything really big this year. We had a nice day at home with a couple of close friends. We started out by having some pizza, then cake and on to the presents. All the kids had a fun time together.


I stopped by the Commissary this morning and got the cake. I planned on just picking up a plain cake and adding the cars I had for him to it. Well I decided to ask if they would just spray a road on it for the regular decorated price vs paying for a novelty, since I already had toys for it and all. The gal got a cake, spayed and decorated it just like their "Cars" cake for me with no additional cost! How nice was that?!?


I had no idea, but the frosting turned out to be the whipped kind. Which it actually tasted pretty good. The kids sure loved it! Marble cake with whipped icing!


Chris received clothes, pjs (shown), sheets and a "Cars" picture/sticker book from his Grandma and Grandpa Hand. And yes, he went to bed in those pjs tonight!


He got a Dino playset, Hot wheels cars with dinosaurs on them and a bunch of dino babies from his Grandma and Grandpa Jones. Of course has asked to open them right then.

In the morning before school, I gave him a stuffed Mator that talked. If you pushed his buttons, he would tell jokes. That rode with us to and from school today. In addition, Jesse and I gave him a Mega Blocks set with Lightning McQueen, My first Tool caddy (a little project by Craftsman) and a Write and Learn Letter Pad by Vtech.


Needless to say, Christopher had a very happy birthday!!

Chris is 4!

Christopher James Pahman
November 29, 2003
8lbs 2oz


Christopher you are such a sweet boy and we are just amazed at how grown up you are getting. It is so hard to believe you are 4 already. Wherever did the time go?!? Although Daddy couldn't be with you for this birthday, he loves you with all his heart. I am so happy for both of you that you were able to connect tonight via webcam so Daddy could see you and tell you Happy Birthday Big Guy, and you were able to see him as well.

We love you Christopher! So thankful you are our son!!


And Christopher, it looks like you did it! You are officially potty trained by age 4! Way to go Big Guy!!