Gnomey Christmas to you & lighthouses, too!

Our two recent posts, we're going on a gnome hunt and Bronner's, downtown and chicken!!!, made this post possible.  We'll start with the lighthouses.  While we were at Bronner's John and the boys suddenly had to go to the bathroom.  Turns out it was a secret mission to buy me the very cool lighthouse ornament in the first picture.  It's so cute.  I'm not sure if you can tell in the picture, but it's all decked out for Christmas!  It's also blown glass, so we have to keep it on a shelf this year (and probably for a few more).  The second picture is the tag that came on it.  I love what it says!

this is the tag that came on my ornament from Bronner's

The next picture is two more matching lighthouses that my mom and dad got me for Christmas. The boys love them, because they just happen to be in their favorite colors.  They are also blown glass and have to be kept on a shelf for the near future.  With three rough boys, two 5 year olds and a 2 year old, they would never have a chance hanging on a tree.  We love them on the shelf, though.  The last picture is an overview of the whole shelf with all three Christmas lighthouses.

Now, on to the gnomes!  Our recent gnome hunt, in Frankenmuth, MI, turned us all into gnome lovers, even John.  Here we are on Christmas day with all of our new gnome paraphernalia.  They all had them peeking out of their stockings on Christmas morning.  They boys love them.  Jackson (our two year old) calls his "Santa".  I think it may have been John's favorite gift.  His represents his two favorite summertime activities--working on cars and Detroit Tigers.  

this is how many stockings were hanging by the chimney with care,
 in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there

after Santa stuffed them he had to move them to the floor

Gnomeo & Juliet

not the best pic, but the 2nd from left is a lighthouse
and the 5th one is my new gnome--love them!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Merry Christmas!

Luke 2

 ¹And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

 ²(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

 ³And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

 ⁴And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

 ⁵To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

 ⁶And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

 ⁷And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

 ⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 ¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

 ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 ¹²And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 ¹³And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

 ¹⁴Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

 ¹⁵And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

 ¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

 ¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

 ¹⁸And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

 ¹⁹But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

 ²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

 ²¹And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.