Christmas Eve

Joel had to work so we played most of the day and then after nap we got ready for Christmas eve service. I knew it would be busy so I made a point to get there early. I got the boys dressed up in their Christmas best (as best as it gets atleast), and we were off to church.

When we got there it was like a fair! There were pictures with a snowman and snoopy, real snow, and a petting zoo with Nativity animals.
There were also yummy cookies.

After being side tracked with all of this, we finally got inside to find there was nowhere to sit. So, we opted for plan B - more playing! Nothing says Jesus' birthday like a bounce house!!!

After Church play we were off to my parents for dinner and Grandpa's "Twas the night before Christmas" reading. I also wanted to start a new tradition with our kids that they would get to open one present Christmas Eve, and they would get Christmas PJ's.

Opening their presents.

Kaden, wasn't thrilled at first, but then he called them his "magic jammers"

Then Grandpa read him "Twas the Night Before Christmas," just like he used to read to my sister and I when we were little. Gavin wasn't interested in the story this year, but hopefully we will have many more years to come of the tradition.

Then off we went home for the boys to go to bed. Little did I know it would take kaden till 10pm to fall asleep. It must have been that darn book about Santa!

ZOO LIGHTS

We were supposed to go monday with some friends but we got rained out, so we went yesterday instead. All in all it went well, especially considering my Husband HATES crowds, and he didn't kill anybody or run anyone over with the wagon!

It was pretty cold (for us anyway, 50 degrees - brrrr) and I thought Gavin would be in awe of the lights because he is so into lights right now, but he was super antsy and kept getting out of the wagon, so I had to hold him most of the time. Oh well, extra workout for me. After eating all of that kettle corn, I needed it :)

On the way in:

Kade looking at lights on the way in

Dad and Gav checking things out
waiting for the carousel

cheese!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Finally!

Well I finally got a new camera, and I love it. I have had it for about 5 days and have already loaded up almost 150 pics on it! Can you tell I have been missing my camera?

Anyhow, thought I would display some of the things that Crazy is up to, and also showcase some super cute pics of Chunkers!

Enjoy!

One of the best things is I used my camera to take this video, and it is much easier to upload than my video camera!

That kid is crazy!

Then Gavin wanted to try:)

I am in sooooo much trouble!



That is better:)Riding his bike...

Look close folks, no training wheels!

3. YEARS. OLD.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhh

Christmas trees and cookies

We got our Christmas tree on Wednesday, and I love it. It always finally feels like Christmas once we get our tree.

Do you like the bright blue ornament? Kade made a snowflake in preschool and told me it had to be in front.

An attempt at capturing it at night.

Today I had my first annual (with hopefully many more to come) Christmas Cookie Exchange.

Here are Jodi, Tawnya, and Kristin partaking in the goodies :)

Kristin and nephew Kit

Me , Robyn , Tawnya, and Jodi. We didn't start taking pics till the end(of course) so Cathy is not pictured, but she made some really yummy cookies too.

Then I had some stuff for the kiddos to do. They made their own Christmas trees out of ice cream cones and frosting.

Drake's tree....I think he ate all the ornaments!

Kade's finished tree, after eating A LOT of candy/ornaments! :)

For those of you who couldn't make it, I hope you can come next year, we had lots of fun! And if you want to be included next year, let me know. The more the merrier (and the fatter we will all be with all those cookies!)

Gettin' crafty

Have I mentioned that I LOVE this time of year? It is so fun now that Kade is a little older and we can start sharing some of the traditions I grew up with around Christmas time. One of my favorites is making Gingerbread houses. We do it the old school way, with graham crackers and lots of frosting.

Kade had so much fun, and of course ate lots of candy, but he was able to get a few pieces onto the house. I may have taken a few pieces of candy for myself, thus setting the bad example.

look at all that candy!

Kade's house

My house

Kade decided he needed to add more right before bedtime!

so thankful

So I realize that Turkey Day was a week ago, but I was so excited to decorate for Christmas and sing Christmas Carols that I haven't posted about Thanksgiving!

I don't have any pics from the day (all on others cameras :( ) but I can show you how I started off my day:

My good friend Kristin and I got up and dragged our butts down to Red Mountain park and ran the Turkey Trot! The race is a 10 k and a perfect way to start out a day of feasting!

Joel had to work, so the kids and I joined my parents over at my sisters. We had a nice time with family, though neglected to get any substantial pics of the event. I am so very thankful to have such a loving close knit family. I love Thanksgiving...just the feeling of togetherness and love makes me so greatful for all that God has blessed me with. It is so easy to get caught up in the swing of things and it is nice to stop and just look around at all that we have.