Christmas at the Carlson's

Christmas Eve began with dinner with Kristen, Taylor, and the grandkids and Jim's mom (Gan).  James got called in so he came later and had some dinner once he was there.

 Kristen and Jonathan

 Kristen, Victory, and Taylor

 Jim's mom (Gan) and Erin

 Gail and Jim

 Brooklyn, Terrel, Preston and Dylan (left to right, back to front)

Gan opening her gift from Kristen and Tayor - new pictures of their family.

 Brooklyn got play food from Grandpa and Grandma.

Erin with nail polish and fake nails.  Every girl's dream.

 Kristen is helping Victory open his gift from us.  It was a package of match box cars.  He was very excited!

 Preston, Terrel, and Dylan opening their gift from us.

 They all got Nurf guns.  The only problem is their papa (Taylor) didn't get one.  They'll have to share.

 Everyone got hats from Gan this year. 

 The grand kids had made cookies to bring over.  Yummm....

 Christmas morning began just after 8:00. I think that's the latest we've ever began. Here is Erin with her big gift - a nail art kit. She was very happy.

 And Jonathan was very pleased with his new video game.  (Thanks to great sales)

 James opening presents.  Now I think he has the right idea, opening presents while still laying in bed.

 Jonathan began his right of passage into becoming a man - his first shave.  We have been noticing quite a bit of dark hair on that upper lip.  So, "Santa" brought some razors and shaving cream.

 I am really not sure how ready I am with all this growing up stuff but I guess I will need to deal with it.

We hope that you all had wonderful Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior.  We pray that you have a wonderful new year and that you come to know the Lord in a deeper way throughout the year.

The Christmas Tree Lot is just a few weeks away!

For the past four Christmas seasons, Jim and I have run the East Hill Christmas Tree Lot fund raiser. This year will make five years. The tree lot is the big fund raiser for missions at our church. In the past the money has gone to short term mission teams and last year it went to our long term missionaries. This year we are hoping to train someone to take our place so that the tree lot will continue in future years when we are in Mexico. We are also hoping to partner with My Father's House which is a local shelter for families. My Father's House has just opened their new facility which has been built entirely debt free. God has truly blessed them.

The past few years all of our Noble Firs have been generously donated by a local tree farmer who has agreed to generously donate trees again this year. We want to thank them so much for their giving hearts.

During the tree lot season, we also run the Trees of Joy program as part of the tree lot. In this program, people can donate $20.00 for a tree that will go to a family in need. In this season and in the economic times we live in, this will be a great blessings this year to many.

If you live in the Portland area and would like to support the tree lot and East Hill Missions, we encourage you to stop by beginning Friday, November 28 through Saturday, December 20 and pick out a tree. We are open 9 AM to 9 PM daily. Our trees start at $20.00 and go up depending on size and type of tree. The tree lot is totally run by volunteers and all proceed go to the missions department for global and local outreach.

May God bless you all as we enter into the holiday season and the celebration of the birth of our precious Lord and Savior.