Our Christmas

Will (on Christmas Eve) looking pretty pleased as he's checking gifts under the tree.

Our tradition for Christmas Eve typically is pretty relaxed and low key.
We attend the children's service at our church,
then come home
and unwrap a few family gifts with our oldest son and his girlfriend.

Milk and cookies are left for Santa...

This year we let Grace and Will stay up a little later than normal
and they slept in until 7:30 am, that was a first!

Santa left some awesome gifts for 2 children that were awfully good this year.  ;)

 

I spent about two hours Christmas morning just watching them enjoy their gifts,
 listening to them talk and laugh,
and play together.
Time that was precious to me.


I hope your Christmas was wonderful!

Merry Christmas!

Behind all the commercial-ism of the season
is the simple story about a family trying to get through difficult times.
And a baby born in a manger.

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

~ Luke 2:10-11

Merry Christmas!

 May you find the blessings of Christmas - peace, love and hope...today and always.

Favorite Photo Friday - celebrating the Holidays at school

Yesterday these 2 had their holiday programs at school.
I didn't take many pictures but got this one before we left
and we shot video of the performances.
If you pause the playlist at the bottom of my blog,
you can hear all six Kindergarten classes at Grace and Will's school
sing and watch Will. He's awfully cute!

50/52 - the adventures of Max and Elfred

This is our second December with these two

and their names were chosen by Grace and Will.

They show up in unusual places like among the wine

bottles (above).

Sometimes they're mischievous

and do naughty things like squeeze toothpaste out of the tube.

Occasionally I don't have a clue what to make them do.

Pinterest has inspired me with some of their adventures.

It's been great fun for us all.

The man in the red suit

(Taken yesterday afternoon).

There's been a great deal of anticipation

and talk about Santa around here lately.

Last year was our first visit

and it definitely was a huge success.
Previous to that they both were a little afraid to speak to him
and get up so close.

I think the best part for me is to listen in on the conversation...

whether they've been behaving well and 

what they'd like for Christmas.

Thankfully Santa's got it covered...Will is asking for a 'Ninja Castle'

and Grace a 'Holiday Barbie.'
I love seeing Christmas through their eyes, I know this stage doesn't last long
and it's just precious to me!

We have a busy week ahead with final dance practices, the rehearsal for the Christmas recital
next week and their school has it's Holiday program on Friday.
I still have my Christmas cards to address and send.

Favorite photo(s) Friday - in search of the perfect tree

In years prior when we visited our favorite tree farm in early December,
we have for lack of better words...
basically frozen our rear ends off.
This year was a pleasant exception.

I did notice that I didn't get a shot of Dan actually cutting down the tree,
but I'm sure you get the idea.
This is obviously one of our favorite Christmas traditions and after the tree is tied to the top
of the car, we go inside
the little house on the property to warm up and have hot apple cider.
I find that I look forward to this experience almost more than actually putting up the tree
and decorating it.
Grace and Will have so much fun here and can race up and down the rows.

Hope you all are enjoying this season
and taking time for yourself too.

(Will and his Daddy, they are best buds).

49/52 - tree kiss

Sunday afternoon we went to cut a live tree,

this is the first year there was no snow and the temps were fairly mild.

I have more pics to post tomorrow and the kids had a blast.

Will was quite taken with what I call the "Charlie Brown trees,"

the small ones, some of which were kind of scraggly and sparse.

He went around kissing a few of these little guys and I found it incredibly cute.

I've heard of tree huggers but never a tree kisser.

Favorite Photo Friday - Deck the Halls

'Tis the season.
For decking the halls, bringing out the bling and sparkle,
and putting up a tree or two with lights and decorations.

I  love Christmas time, and everything about it.
I love sending cards, listening to the music, looking at the lights and baking cookies.
I love my home at this time and how it looks, feels, smells and sounds.
I love our family traditions that bring back memories of my own childhood
and Christmas' past with friends and family.

(The important task of tree decorating requires close concentration for William).

My husband Dan was out of the country for work this week,
so I enlisted 2 helpers that happily complied.
This was the first year that the tree was decorated
in record time, without me finishing it by myself.
It wasn't completed in the above photo but
I think they did an amazing job!

(Grace even decorated Jack with a little Santa hat. 
Obviously it didn't stay there long!)






Our December is already filling up quickly.
We have cookies to bake, a couple of trips to Chicago planned, school programs to attend,
a Christmas dance recital,
Grace and I will be going to the Nutcracker
later in the month and Will's 6th Birthday is coming up soon.

I'm trying not to focus on the time frame and enjoy each of these special moments.
And reflect on the true meaning of this season...
of Jesus' birth.

(Each year I buy my kids a new ornament.
Grace is holding a handmade Paris inspired one for the little white tree in her room).

Please check out more Favorite Photo Friday images
on Lisa's Long Road to China blog.

While you're there see what's up for today
at the "12 Days of Giveaways"
to benefit orphans in China.
It's a wonderful cause.