Making Gingerbread houses

I am sad to say that this is the FIRST year that we have ever made a gingerbread house.  Thanks to my friend Jill, we were both able to make one.  We used empty milk cartons from her school children and other items we had around the house.  We both had a blast and enjoyed every minute of it!!

 

getting started

 adding some goodies

 concentrating on her masterpiece

 Caroline's finished product

 Mommy's finished product

 

Christmas with Tyler

 We were so excited to get together with our sweet friends Jill and John and their two little ones-Tyler and Nori.  Sadly Nori wasn't feeling well and slept almost the entire time we were there.  Jill made us a yummy breakfast and then the kids headed outside to play.  Loved watching them interact...thankful for sweet friends!

Caroline figured out how to climb on Daddy's car

 had to include this sweet picture because Tyler lost both of his front teeth this Christmas!

 this little sweetness decided to wake up just as we were leaving...to precious!!!

Nothing like it...

One of my favorite things to do during the Christmas season is to spend some time on the couch with just the lights from the mantle and the tree.  Something about the soft little glow from the lights just makes my heart smile.  I have especially enjoyed a cup of coffee and some quiet time with the Lord this year...gonna miss these early mornings in the den come tomorrow...

Christmas tradition...it's not too late!

Several years ago (7 to be exact) some sweet friends shared with us a Christmas tradition that they celebrate each year.  We loved the idea, but modified it to fit our needs.  Each Christmas morning, as we unpack our stockings, we have a letter that we wrote each other the year before.  In our letter to each other, we summarize the previous year and write about what we are trusting God to do in the coming year.  It's so much fun to look back at where we were and where God has brought us. 

It's not too late...it's super easy and very inexpensive.  Grab a sheet of paper and begin writing.  Then place the letter inside your spouses stocking and wait for next year!

Happy 81st birthday Great

 This morning we got to celebrate this sweet lady's 81st birthday!  She is a true example of a Godly woman and we are so thankful for another year with her.  Someone asked "does she mind telling us her age" after she quickly answered she was 81.  Let's all be honest, if we look like this at 81, we will gladly tell anyone how old we are!!!

 

Merry Christmas!!!

I was so excited this morning I could hardly sleep!  I got up, got breakfast together and in the oven.  I woke up a good 2 1/2 hours before the rest of my household.  Finally I couldn't take it any longer and woke them up at 8:15.

Needless to say our girl was pretty tired!

She saw her doll house first

and a few seconds later found her bike..."A BIKE!!!!!  Santa brought me a bike!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

trying out her new bike inside

She loved opening presents

So excited to have the same Bible that Mrs. Harriett uses at church

digging deep into the bottom of her stocking

And she's off...it's hard to believe that just 2 short years ago she received her tricycle and now she's on a big girl bike...

of course it HAS to go through the water puddle

"If we were in a room full of girls and we got to chose the one for us, we would always choose YOU!"  Merry Christmas baby girl, so thankful God chose you to give to us...couldn't think of a better gift if we tried!

Celebrating Christmas-Round 3

Next we headed over to Andy's parents to celebrate Christmas with them.  Sadly Aunt Katy and the kids hadn't made it home from a Christmas party...but we opened presents and loved everything we got!  Caroline LOVED her Doc McStuffin's puzzle from Aunt Katy as well as her camper from Pop and Peep.

Santa needs to work on a few things and then it will be time for bed.  We have had a wonderful day but we are exhausted!!!

Celebrating Christmas-Round 2

We drove back from my family's Christmas in order to attend our Christmas Eve church service.  It is such a beautiful service and such a great way to prepare our hearts and mind for Christmas day.  Afterwards we headed to Tomi Jean and Greg's to celebrate Christmas with them. 

Our little Santa helper

She was more than eager to help other open their gifts!

After opening presents, we enjoyed vegetable soup and corn muffins.  Just perfect for a COLD evening!

Celebrating Christmas-Round 1

First stop on Christmas Eve-Christmas with my family!  My brother Bob BBQ's each Christmas, something my daddy did for many years.  However, he was old school in the beginning.  I remember daddy and his friends staying up ALL NIGHT LONG with logs burning under the pit.  Anyway, thankfully my brother Bob continues the tradition but it's a little easier.

We (Bob, Daniel, Jennifer and myself) surprised Mom with a Kindle Fire, she was shocked!!!

the boys with their annual Hess trucks

an awesome light for our campsite, now we just need to go camping!

Not sure who was more excited about the NERF gun, the little kids or the big kids!

so thankful for this non blood sister, she caused quite a stir in daddy's obit!!!! :0)

How many people does it take to figure out Mom's Kindle?

love these girls and they LOVE Jenna!

Bob and Andy working on the BBQ

These boys can sleep anywhere, anytime!

these two might be dangerous in a few years

the boys thinking about their next move

so proud of this young man!!

somebody was exhausted!!!

 

Small Group Christmas Bonfire

 Tonight we held our annual Small Group Christmas party, which included a bonfire!  It was the PERFECT night for fun with friends!  The weather was super cool!!  We were all bundled up and cozy by the fire. 

The girls LOVED the banana swing

 my little monkey enjoyed the tire swing

Rhett, Rylie, Farrah and Liam...the flash was a little much for the kiddos 

 ready to roast marshmallows

 working the fire 

 The kids had a small pile to use to roast their marshmallows.

 JV and Gray

 staying warm

 hot chocolate by the fire

 the fire was too "bright and warm" for their eyes

 Amy and her sweet boys Gray and Griffin

 John and Susan

 The girls-Charissa, Beth, myself and Susan