Christmas 2013

This was such a quiet and relaxing Christmas.  The boys were off-the-charts excited about presents and all the magic around Christmas.  It was a great celebration!

The boys raced downstairs once we gave them the "ok" at 7am.  We woke Eden up too and the boys were quick to show her how to check out her stocking.

Santa left a note because he had some special things in the basement for the kids this year: basketball and a couple fun things for Eden, too.

Eden's Hop Along Pony was a hit!

We spent most of the day like this...

and this.  It was so peaceful.

Merry Christmas!

December 23 & Christmas Eve 2013

Its been a busy season.  I didn't even decorate the house as much as I usually do.  It is still nice and festive, but I haven't had to urge to do all the work - when would there be time?  Anyway, this year we did not even visit Santa.  The kids don't seem to mind, considering last year they weren't totally sure about Santa anyway.  See that photo by clicking here!  Instead, the boys wrote letters to Santa, which seemed to take the place of a visit, no problem.  Its kinda fun to do something different.  We asked Zippy the Elf to take these notes back to Santa for us...and he did!

We had a silly white elephant gift exchange with our high school small group of 11th and 12th graders.  John came away with this helmet that the kids are having a great time with.  

I wasn't so sure about making Eden the bobsledder...but she seemed to like it.  Safety first at this house, folks.

We made our trip out to Irvine Park for the Christmas light display on 12/23.  By the time we arrived at the park, 2/3 of the kids were sleeping!  But Logan enjoyed the park and stories.  Right after we took this photo we realized Logan and Bennett were wearing each other's coats ("I thought this felt so tight"! said Logan!).

Christmas Eve before Dad went to the first service at church.  We met up with him at the 3pm service since weather was supposed to be super snowy by the 5pm service.  We all got ready and set before John left so I didn't have to do too much getting set without him.

Cutest girl and cutest outfit!!

Trying hard to get a few photos of the kids before church...I even got a few where they are all looking!

Photo with mom before we left for church.

We started a little Christmas Even tradition - the kids open one gift: including an ornament for each of them to hang on the tree, and some washed-up pjs to wear that night.

They were clearly all thrilled about their little gifts.

Happy Christmas Eve!  And to all a good night....

Cookie Day with Amy & Andrew!

We were lucky to have some visitors...all the way from Virginia!  :)  Amy and Andrew are home for Christmas, spending a week in MN and then another week in Florida with Andrew's family.  We invited them over from some Christmas fun and it was FUN!

Eden sorta decorating a Christmas tree...mostly eating sprinkles.  

We had a serious task: look at all those cookies!  When Amy and Andrew arrived, we made them help us out!

The kids love doing a little decorating and we don't often bake cookies to decorate, so it was fun!!

Showing Andrew our wall of Christmas cards.

Thanks to Amy and Andrew for coming over to the crazy house to have some Christmas fun!  We're looking forward to seeing them and spending some time with them after Christmas in Stillwater.

Oh, and thanks for these amazing decorated ginger bread men!  We had a contest and they are pretty freaky looking....my favorite is the "one wearing a onesie", Andrew!

Bennett's Christmas Party Program 2013

Today we had Bennett's Christmas Party Program at Noah's Ark!  This is always such a fun day.  I always think there is nothing cuter than a bunch of preschoolers singing about Jesus.  :)  Bennett's been having such a great year at Noah's Ark.  We are so proud of him all the time, but this year he really has branched out and grown in his confidence.  He was excited for his party program so I couldn't wait to see him singing the songs he's been practicing at home.  

What can I say?  These two and their crazy antics.  They are two peas in a pod sometimes.  We arrived a bit early and then we found....

Papa and Nana!  Ready to get their Party Program pants on.  :)  Bopbop arrived later, too, so Benny had quite the audience.

Eden was pretty interested in the whole set-up...I could tell she was wondering what was going on.

Then the kids came in with their cute hats!  We sat right in the front row by Bennett.

We were so impressed with Bennett - doing such a good job with all the words and actions.  He was having a great time!

"Glooooooooooria....."

The kids each went over to hang a nativity ornament on on the tree when it was their turn.

Benny was so into his performance he forgot to sit down  :)

Time for a little photo with Sissy...

Goofballs!  We then enjoyed a lunch altogether!  It was weird not to have Logan along since he was in school all day!  We have had Party Programs for four straight years.  Next year will be our first gap while Benny goes to 1/2 school and Eden is not yet in preschool.  It will be strange not to be a part of the preschool for a year.  We always enjoy being a part of such a great program.  Thanks to our family for coming and GREAT JOB Bennett!!  Merry Christmas!