Christmas #1

Great Grandma Gates had Lincoln giggling and laughing after a long, stimulating and exciting day.

The first in a string of Five Family Christmases has now concluded. Donati Christmas was as fun and creatively amazing as always. The Rossmann Family's "T'was The Night Before Christmas" took the cake, with "Things That Go Together," "Sprouting," "Growing," and "Water" coming in a collective close second. But who's judging? Donati Christmas is always a treat!

Lincoln was an all star during the day. He was Little Mister Social, he napped like a champ, and ate like a little baby bird. This was the first time he'd seen the Rossmann Family and Uncle Keith and Aunt Linda Donati. Everyone was so generous and thoughtful when it came to presents for Lincoln. Of course he has no idea how to open presents, but the fun was seeing him play with his new toys and picturing him wearing his new clothes when he grows into them.

Good news from the Hopwood corner of the Gates Family: Jeremy and a buddy are back in the IT business as of the first of the year. Five Iron Technologies is where you can meet all of your business IT support needs in the middle-Tennessee area. This is an answer to prayer and a gift from the LORD. Praise God!!!

"With ma in her kercheif and I in my cap..." Uncle Keith and Aunt Linda play along with the Rossmann Family gift presentation.

The second leg of the Five Family Christmases is on for tomorrow with the immediate Gates Family. The Hopwoods got into town late Thursday evening, and we're locked and loaded for a RELAXING, LOW KEY afternoon and evening tomorrow.

Christmas is approaching.

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:1-7

Lincoln enjoying one of his Christmas presents.