Saturday, December 24

Merry Christmas!

The Birth of Jesus
At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiance, who was obviously pregnant by this time.

And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.

The Shepherds and Angels
That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior-yes, the Messiah, the Lord-has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others-the armies of heaven-praising God: 'Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to all whom God favors
.'

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Come on, let's go to Bethlehem! Let's see this wonderful thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." They ran to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. Then the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds' story were astonished, but Mary quietly treasured these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said.

Merry Christmas!

- The Kinnan Family

Monday, December 19

Dashing through the Snow!

Friday
We've been very forgetful when it comes to bringing our camera out and about with us, especially since Hayden has been acting like a celebrity lately with his "no pictures" exclamations, but we've got to tell you about an outreach event that Real Life Church held at our shopping mall on Friday night! The worship band played worship songs, including numerous Christmas carols for an hour Friday evening ... and dozens of RLC members came to join in the praise and worship and spread the GOOD NEWS of our Savior and His Son with our neighbors! It was such a blessed time and we are so very thankful for the freedom and opportunities He gives to share His light with others!

Saturday
I would normally say that without a doubt that I watch more news than anyone else I know. I love it ... not the dreary stories of destruction or inflation or unemployment ... but I appreciate being informed on what is going on in the world. My passion for gathering information failed me in a mighty way this weekend, though, when we woke up on Saturday morning to inches upon inches of snow ... and it was still falling! I didn't know it was even supposed to snow! :)

We made the most of it by taking Hayden out for his first official sleigh ride! He insisted that mommy ride with him, so I jumped in and we headed for the elementary school at the end of our block ... it's got some great hills to sled down! Please notice my awesome hat, by the way ... my Grandma Bush made it for me when I was in elementary school and it STILL FITS! If only I had the same good fortune with my jeans! :)


Now I am not one for speeding down a hill of snow that is quickly becoming an icy path of destruction ... but David definitely is! What a STUD!


After testing out the "slopes" he took Hayden for a ride. Despite the looks on their faces, they weren't going 50 miles an hour ... they had actually stopped, and Hayden officially decided that there would be no more downhill sledding for him!


When we returned from our snowy adventure, we relaxed with warm cups of cocoa and enjoyed a family movie. Hayden found his new favorite place to relax and stayed there until bed time! He was very tired after an afternoon of chilly fun!


Sunday
On Sunday evening David continued a month-long Real Life Church Christmas narrative by playing the part of Kimham, or Kim the Innkeeper. It's an incredible "series" that has included Mary, the mother of Jesus and one of the Wise Men. David told the story of Jesus' birth from the perspective of the Innkeeper, and did such an awesome job of portraying this character who played such a part in the birth of our Savior! It was a touching story with a message that speaks beyond just this Christmas season, the season to celebrate Jesus and his birth ... it's truly about making room (as the Innkeeper did ... literally!) in our hearts and lives for Jesus. It was absolutely amazing!

Candles, Colds, and Yummy Soup Bowls!

Life in the Kinnan household has been full of surprises ... and sniffles! Working with 6th graders all day is definitely never dull, and during this winter season it is marked by runny noses and colds. I think I have been sick all year, but this past week the icky feelings of being sick definitely hit me the hardest. I'm getting better quickly and although Hayden caught what I had and then some, he seems to be feeling better as well ... especially after a day today at home with mommy! :) David, being the stud of the universe that he is, hasn't seemed to have caught anything yet ... lucky guy!

Two weeks ago (has it really been that long since we've blogged!?) we celebrated the Christmas season with our Real Life Church family. An evening of delicious food (there are SO MANY amazing cooks), awesome fellowship, and a hilarious "White Elephant" gift exchange, complete with a headless tiger (a stuffed animal, of course) and a "Sweatin' to the Oldies" workout video. David and I didn't fare well enough to get those incredible gifts, but somehow managed to get matching candles without even trying! Great minds in love think alike, right? :)


Last week we were blessed with an incredible opportunity to share an evening with Pastor Eric and Robin and the Advisory Board of Real Life Church. Eric and Robin made a plethra of soups ... with bread bowls! YES! We had a great time of sharing and growing as brothers and sisters as we encouraged one another and enjoyed each others' company.


While we were eating, Hayden was living it up in the new nursery ... he was tired from chasing around the little girls in the nursery with his buddy Tanner!

Thursday, December 8

Michelle

Thanks for signing our guestbook! I was shocked! How do we contact you? E-mail?

Tuesday, December 6

Family

We don't have the "Aunt Martha" or "Cousin Mike" who annually disrupts the serenity of our family bonding times. Each Thanksgiving truly brings a high level of excitement because we get to hug...laugh...tell stories...love...and just be family.

Every year, the entire Kinnan family gathers for two days of fun. Thursday is always spent with the Kinnans and Friday is always spent with the Wolfs. A marathon of relaxation...does that make sense? That's what I think of when reflecting on our trip. Family rejuvinates our souls...the older I get, the more I crave that rejuvination.

I thought about creating a story line for some pictures, but I just worked for 12 hrs and Katy is sick...and I'm only doing this right now because I had a weak moment earlier in posting that I'd post. So, mainly for family who visit this site...pics are below:

Grandma & Grandpa Kerby:


Grandma & Grandpa Kinnan:


Hayden & Ailee on the Ivories:


Hayden and Ailee's dog, KC:


Do you understand me, Hayden:


Hayden and Kendra:


The annual "Height Check":


I love flowers:


Ailee painting Hayden's toenails:


Remember the "Little People's Table":


Princess Ailee:


Finally home w/ Abby:


That's enough pics for now. Family...if you'd like more, just ask.

Tired,
DK

Yes, we know...

It's been over 2 weeks since our last post. We have some great pics to share with you from our trip to Indiana. Please forgive our poor blogging efforts. As we wade through all the Christmas parties and events, we'll try to update our internet home a little more frequently.

If you check back on Wednesday morning, your blogging appetite will be satisfied in regards to getting a Kinnan update.

-DK