Monday, December 30, 2013

Tula's 2nd Annual Christmas Cousin Breakfast

 Tula's annual cousin breakfast didn't disappoint!
2013
2012
What a difference a year can be.
The kids enjoyed snowmen donuts for breakfast. Audrey and Benjamin had trouble waiting to eat while Luke prayed.  Boy that kid says some long prayers... so sweet.
They LOVE the singing angels.
Christmas carols by the fire.
The party ended with a viewing of The Grinch.  We are already looking forward to next years breakfast.  Thanks Tula for being such a fun, joyful, thoughtful Grandma!!
 

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Christmas Traditions!

 Christmas always brings lots of fun traditions along with it...
We sit on Santa's lap.
Ho Ho Ho.
 My sweet friend Hayley threw the most amazing kid party I have ever attended.  That girl puts a lot of love into the details!
 
  Rebecca loved playing with two of her besties Devon and Savannah.
 Hayley was so sweet and made embroidered aprons for the kids to decorate.  Sitting on each of their aprons were cookies to decorate.  Benjamin cracked me up the way he perfectly lined all the green M&Ms up. Such a rule follower.
 Yes, the shirts were also made by Hayley. :)
 And yes, Savannah is the best baby ever.
 Santa showed up to read stories to the kids.

  Another tradition I grew up doing was having your own tree in your room.  I LOVEDDD this part of Christmas.  Benjamin was being extra awesome that day (sigh). 
 Christmas cookies!
Benjamin was SO excited to bake the cookies I had to post a ton of pictures to document.
 Joy!
 Joy!
 Joy!
 He helped with every step of the way.
 Rebecca enjoyed some sweet potatoes for the first time while we baked.
 When he woke up from his nap we decorated them.
 Will got in on the action.

 Our elf on the shelf returned this year...
.
 Benjamin was so excited to see "Elfie" and discover every morning where he moved to.  Elfie was joined by "Mama Elfie" a few days later.  I think Tula told Santa he forgot to send an elf for Rebecca.

 Benjamin also loved decorating the tree with me.

 Will's grandmother gave the kids this precious nativity scene that they can play with every year.  
Benjamin loved wrestling with the wise men. :/
 Jesus is the reason for the season!
 Stay tuned for Christmas posts!

Monday, December 23, 2013

Christmas Card Photos 2013

 Family photos are proving to be more and more challenging the bigger my family grows.
Success!
 Love this one and it wasn't used.  I copied the pose from Amanda. :)

A few outtakes...
 
 The kids faces...
 Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Benjamin's Christmas Party

 Benjamin's class party and program were yesterday.
Here are my two elves dressed to party...
So hard getting them to look at the camera/smile together!
Thank you Miss E for the new outfits!

 Close up of our girl.
 Will and I walked in to his classroom for the party and he was SOOO excited to see his Daddy!

 Circle time started and Benjamin couldn't handle the freedom...
 This kid LOVESSS to wrestle.
 All. Boy.
 Miss Kathy finally got his attention and we was ready to participate like a big boy.
 "Nigh, nigh."
 Lunchtime!

 Throughout the party Benjamin kept looking for Will and would yell "Daddy!" and point to him. It was so so darling to see how proud he is of Will.
 My Guy.
 Classic Benjamin.
 You can see his little mouth telling us this is "Rudolph."
 Blessed.

 After the party we met the rest of the gang in the sanctuary for the program.


 Luke was first on the stage and did a great job.  He is getting so big and just so precious! It is such a blessing to have the privilege of watching him grow.

 Benjamin was next...
 He started out a little shy.


 Eventually he sang his heart out.

I pray that Benjamin has a heart for the Lord! I feel so blessed to have him surrounded by examples of Christ's love showing him the way.
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
3 John 1:4