Christmas 2009

We have many reasons to rejoice this Christmas, among which is celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ! We are realizing more and more how difficult it is to keep this at the center of our focus, with the business and commercialization we see at Christmas. Although we enjoy giving gifts to Lydia, we do not want her to start to think that this is the main reason for celebration. Our prayer is that this Christmas will bring much joy to your family and that 2010 will be filled with God's richest blessings! Merry Christmas from the Winsteads!

Lydia posing with the Christmas tree...

Naming all of the characters n the nativity scene...

Christmas Morning at Uncle Paul and Aunt BJ's home...

Lydia with Karolina ... Opening gifts on Christmas Day...

Lydia with Nana

Brittany with Lydia

Paw Paw with Lydia and Brittany

Our very favorite gift of all!

Lydia ~ 26 Months

Okay, so I am a little late with this post... We have been so busy during the month of December, and I am just now getting around to posting Lydia's monthly update, while at the same time uploading Christmas pictures... In addition to this month going by so quickly, Lydia has continued to be a "trooper" in the midst of a hectic time. We know now, however, that she was just getting prepared for the crazy Christmas travels that were in store... :) We celebrated Thanksgiving together during this month, and decided to stay at home and just be together as a family. The day after Thanksgiving, I cooked a "traditional" meal for some of Mel's family, though, who came to visit for a few hours. Daddy and Mommy also celebrated their 8th anniversary this month, and did so with a nice family lunch and trip to Wal-Mart... ha ha... :)

Lydia is realizing that the weather is starting to change and she does not get to spend nearly as much time out doors. She often tells us that "it's too coooold..." to go outside! She is really beginning to pick up other skills, however, including being able to complete more complicated puzzles without assistance, and is improving with her letter recognition. She is also learning to form certain letters, which for now include "L", "D" and "O" and enjoys "drawing" all kinds of pictures, especially with markers! Another favorite activity for Lydia is Play-Doh; she will literally play with it for an hour or more! It is fun to watch her imagination at work with these different activities. Lydia has always loved music, but lately, she is definitely enjoying her own style of "dancing" with some of her favorite tunes and DVDs (mostly "Veggie Tales"). She continues to love to read and look at books and we often hear her "reading" to the congregation of stuffed animals and dolls which accompany her to bed each night! These are just a few of the many ways our little girl brings us joy each day!

Ready for Church!

Brittany and Lydia at the Allred Christmas Party ~ December, 2009

Hanging her special ornament, painted for her by her Aunt BJ for her first Christmas!

Running through the leaves with Mommy!