**updated: Santa was here! and (new) Merry? Christmas

Click for slideshow of Christmas pictures. Too many to post on here. So those not family probably don't care much. Kids are having a good time with their toys and being together. They are playing very well together, and Blakely is even letting Tate push around her new carriage. We set up the blocks to have target competition practice. We had 5 different stations, and took turns shooting a block at each station. Once again, not real sure these presents are for the kids. hehe.

Merry Christmas.
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added 10:26pm:
What a joyful day and season it is. Right? Isn't it supposed to be filled with joyful songs of Christmas, oh and Jesus, and the light shining on and in our lives? But I'm sure everyone out there in blogger-land knows and has experienced some not so joyful events that makes this day, especially this day, not so merry.
My heart is heavy and filled with sorrow and grief still for a dear friend of mine who lost her brother 1 year ago today to a drunk driver. It brings my "joyful" heart pain to recall what has been lost and missed in not having those family members around; grandmother, pappy, nanny, Noah....though they all have a place in my life.
In the celebration and excitement of Christmas, I think we need to give ourselves permission to set aside a moment to remember and lament. To weep with those who weep. For this day is no different than any other day for those who have lost loved ones, or those who have lost health, or those of us who just wish things could be a little bit better this year. And we sigh in pain with our brothers and sisters in Christ, hurting from that piece that is missing either in our expectations of what today should really look like or the inability to bring back that tight hug from a friend, brother, mom, dad, grandparent or child.
John 1:5, The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
Even in our darkest moments, the hope, the joy, the peace and the love of Christ our light is able to be found. I pray that light of Love to shine tonight for you.

Twas the...

Night before Christmas and all through the house ... and so begins the mass assembly lines of carriages and high chairs, blocks and toys, to try to be done in time to sleep.

We had our own Christmas eve service at home tonight, including some centers for people to do crafts and such. Yes, that was Blakely's idea. We wrote down on a pad what we were thankful for, and then got to color and stamp it with her new materials. We then tried to have a candlelight service with songs and scripture .. but that really doesn't last long for 3 kids under 6. Hopefully it will be the thought that counts, as we try to continue that tradition thru the years.

Ok, back to work. (Stay tuned for pictures and another post I've been thinking about concerning the merriness of Christmas)

Christmas cookies

Guess what Jackson wanted for his birthday dinner?
Right > Hotdogs.














The hardest part of Christmas this year may just be the disbanning of the cookie party. Long ago and far away, this party was just us kids; me, brad, julie, tiffany, john mark. Of course some others were invited in as the situation called for, but I think (I hope) that was really the core group. So for years we gathered at Christmas time to decorate cookies. Yell and cuss when diabetes plagued our habits, and still licked the spoon of icing (as I did tonight). And so the years passed, and we grew up. At least in age. And no matter where we are, I'd like to think we all continue this tradition of gathering together to see who can make the most vulgar looking Christmas cookie. I recall the year Mr. Hanky made an appearance, as well as human anatomy class. I think it was then that mom quit making snowmen and reindeer.
Today, we also had some coloring time before lunch. Oh yeah, and those who know, will notice some new chairs around the table. That's right, ladder back with arms... all 4 of them. Jen found them at an antique store the other day.
So no matter how you have passed down your traditions, it's the cognition you have as to why you do it. Not really why those before you did it, but why do I like to decorate cookies at Christmas. Well, it brings family together around the table. You get to enjoy sugar in new ways. You're able to display artistic ability, and then later, just mass produce cookies caked with icing. And you pass down your memories of long ago, sitting around the table with family, thinking about how one day we will no longer be at the table, but it will be our kids. (Pooey, not at the table). Merry Christmas cookie pals!!!

Jackson is 4

Here are pictures from this mornings festivities, celebrating Jackson's 4th year of life.






































Last night we had popcorn & Charlie Brown night in front of the tube. It was great fun. And I do believe Tate already has the eller popcorn addiction. Symptoms of this addiction are unstoppable urges to grab handfuls of popcorn and stuff it in your mouth. The inability to sit still as bowls of the white stuff are brought to the kitchen. And finally, the need to have more and more, and even eat them off the floor. Oh, and I just noticed another symptom, needing popcorn for breakfast.

Who celebrates Christmas

Last night we went out to Cracker Barrel for dinner. We picked up some little candy sticks and sat out on the porch to enjoy them, and each other. Well, while we were sitting and talking and playing checkers, we were discussing how many more days till Christmas. Blakely then asked, 'so does everywhere have Christmas?" I said, "you mean like other states and countries? yes, I reckon they do all celebrate Christmas at the same time we do". To which she replied.... "So everyone except hell?" HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Ahh, I was so proud. There I sat on my rocker out front of the CB. Saying, "thats right Blakely, pretty much everyone is celebrating Christmas except hell."
So if you ever wonder if those talks work out like you plan them too...this just proves they stick most of the time. Hell is a place without Christmas, I don't think you want to go.
-elroy

It's a bird...it's a plane... it's JACKSON

We had Jacksons 4th Bday party this morning and a few of his friends showed up for the celebration. Definately much smaller than usual, but not any quieter. Go figure. We had a superman pinata, which took about 15 minutes to bust. Noone got hurt, but Granddaddys car may have a ding from where Daddy let the bat slip while trying to "help" out.
So here are some pictures.
Click here for some background music while looking at pictures.

Ahh, sweet memories

Here's a never before released VLOG from 2002. The funny thing about this video, is that the day I left this job, this song was playing in the car as I drove out of the parking lot. Not kidding. It was awesome. I felt like I was in a movie. Enjoy... its 12mb in size, and windows file (sorry iToogoodMacs)
See VIDEO here

PS. The building this was filmed in no longer stands....Rest in peace DCH 14

It's too quiet...

That's the thought that went through my head tonight as I was trying to read stories to Jackson. I knew Blakely was in the playroom and Tate had wondered off, but it was way too quiet. Jen has been sick all day, ache/fever/crap, so she's been in bed. We were doing our best tonight to manage, so I figured, what harm is there in letting Tate wonder around while I finished the book. I come in to the kitchen, and this is what I see. Apparently, he really liked the look of Blakely's leftovers.

Festivities of Christmas

Lots to do around the house during the holidays. I'm thankful for the ability and willingness for such effort in our house. Lately Tate likes to lay down on the floor like his brother and sister, so it's funny to snap a couple of shots like that. We decorated the tree. Undecorated. Redecorated and it goes on and on with a 15month old. Blakely took one of her best pictures yet of us Eller boys. For 3 whole seconds, we all rested today in Jack's bed. And as we loaded up tonight for Chilis/Walmart/Christmas get-together at Johnna & Rebekah's, we got the orange sunset. And 3 beautiful kids.

OHHHH Tannenbaum

Today we went to get our tree. Apparently, I was the only one who really wanted to do this venture.. well Jen too, but the other three decided this was the time to throw fits.
So here's the tree.


We got home, put the tree up. Blakely ran in and said, "we can hang this up!" Tonight Jen was telling me that she said she was just standing in her room, and looked at the wall, and there was the ornament. She said, I remembered him. So we hung Noah's ornament.
So tonight, as I was putting more lights on, Jackson apparently wasn't ready for bed, and came out to watch. So I took his picture.


We also pieced together a little ginger bread house the other night. I think we're starting to wonder why we can't eat those things.

Merry Advent. May you focus on the HOPE we have in Christ. The HOPE in his coming. The HOPE in our homecoming.

Tis the Season

Thanks to our friend Joe, I was introduced to the concept and tradition of advent. It's funny how after you hear a new word or phrase, how often it comes up. Well today in church, they had a bag of advent books and wreath and candles, so we decided to start something new in our home for the season. Tonights candle and thought was that of Hope. At the dinner table, we read over some of the scriptures and prayers for Hope, and talked about what hope means. Which pretty much sounds like this to children under 5: You know how you 'hope' Santa comes and brings you gifts? It means wanting something really bad to happen, that will make you happy. So in simple terms, that's what this season is about, desiring Christ to dwell in our daily breaths, and to be seeking His arrival. If you don't know much about Advent, I encourage you to look it up. I think it will be some very special now in our family, as we remember Christ and his true purpose in coming. "To seek and save the lost."
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Now - some pictures of recent happenings around the town.
1st - A huge Xmas parade, attended by Santa.
2nd - The hanging of Xmas lights
3rd - A trip to Houston for Thanksgiving
4th - Ticklin' ivories and a picture of us