Christmas 2018!

Merry Christmas everyone!! What a wonderful year this has been. We're so grateful to spend this time of year with family and friends. The kids were so excited for Christmas morning and all the joy it entails. Last night, Will talked to Daniel about all the traditions he was looking forward to...

piling up on mom & dad's bed, reading about Jesus' birth from the Bible: check 

 pictures on the stairs: check

 opening presents, of course, that didn't even need to be stated

 emptying stockings: check

 pancake breakfast and staying in our pj's all day playing with presents: check

I love that lil man! What a wonderful Christmas. I so enjoyed spending it with my wonderful hubs & kiddos. I'm very blessed. Love you all!!! Merry Christmas!

Allie's Christmas Program

Where Allie attends MDO and both she and Jake attended last year have an annual Christmas program where the kids sing and it's adorable. I don't think Allie is very comfortable on stage. In fact, I know it, because I've asked her, lol. I had a hard time getting pictures and video because she kept hiding behind other kids.

I've had the day/time on my calendar for awhile but for some reason I had 11:30 in my mind as the start time. When I arrived, the kids were already on stage- early to my thinking. I saw one of the teachers and she said it started at 11! Oh my gosh, I felt so bad. They were already about halfway through the performance when we arrived about 10 or 12 after. Aghh, I hated missing the first half and felt so bad for my baby girl who was probably looking for us the whole time. Daddy is already out of town and had to miss it, then I missed half too. :( Well, at least I didn't miss the whole thing. I love you my sweet pea baby girl!!!

Christmas Tree

We finally put up our Christmas tree! Some may think it's still plenty early but I like to have it up no later than Thanksgiving weekend (by the end). I put up all the other decor before Thanksgiving this year! But he we are with our annual tradition of hot chocolate and tree trimming.

 Maggie looooves Christmas and decorating, so decorating for Christmas is pretty high on her list of all the things (wonder who she got that from?) She was stoked to put up the tree and worked so diligently on fluffing the branches. Then she'd say "ready up!" and Jake would grab the branch to put on the tree. It was adorable!! Daniel and I fluffed our own branches, until I started on the lights and that was my sole job. I love that girl!!

 Time to put on the ornaments! Will & Allie weren't that into putting up the tree but definitely like adding the ornaments.

Merry Christmas!!!

Kids' Christmas Program

Wednesday, Nov. 28

Every year the 3yr olds-  Kindergarten kids dress up like people and animals who were in the manger when baby Jesus was born and sing. The older kids: 1st-5th grade perform songs as well but not in costume. This will be my first and last year to have all 4 kids in the performance so it was pretty bittersweet!

Will and Maggie's group was first and I couldn't get great shots. I moved to the other side of the church, but even there couldn't get Will at all b/c the angle and other kids blocking him. :(

I did a little better when Jake & Allie took their turns and paid attention to the screen. Jake was Joseph (!) and Allie an adorable little sheep. Such a cute night. We normally see this performance on a Sunday morning but this year they scheduled it on a Wednesday night and I liked it. 

 At one point Allie was looking back at Jake and he was waving at her but I couldn't get a pic. Then I had them pose afterwards (didn't think to do that with other 2 or all 4- I'm sure the costumes prompted me) and then we all headed home. It was a great night!

Joseph and my little lamb. Then they wanted to pray. Cuties.