Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent at church. We decided to go to Crossroads in Earlham because Matt and Tiff have been going there AND we have a ton of friends that attend. Plus, it was an hour earlier then our church's service, so it worked better for us.

After church, we went up to Matt and Tiff's house for dinner. The kids loved Owen's new tent!

I didn't get a great picture of Brynna's skirt, but I purchased it from Baby Gap while I was pregnant with her...planning that she would wear it this year for Christmas :)

When we got home, we did our annual tradition of opening one gift, a new Christmas book, and read it before bed! We do not do Santa at our house, so I don't get to use that excuse to get them in bed early :)
It's not that we hate Santa, we just decided not to do it at our house. We, instead, will focus more on Jesus as the reason for the season (not that you can't do both!!!!) Also, I remember how SAD I was when I found out about Santa...not because of the loss of that...but because my parents had LIED (as I saw it) to me for so long :)

Putting up the Christmas Tree

Another big thank you to Matt and Tiffany for helping put up the Christmas tree and getting all the decorations down from the top of the garage!!!

Owen trying to "fit" under the tree...it was SO funny!

Grant making sure it was JUST right.

Brynna didn't like it when her hair got stuck :)

First snow

I'm SO thankful that, so far, winter hasn't been too bad!!! I'm equally as thankful for good neighbors. Kevin and Liz have been SO great since Lee has been gone.

Without my dad and Kevin, we'd be in trouble around here.
Those two are going to need a vacation by the time Lee gets back :)

I didn't even have to call and ask him to come move my snow, he just did it!!!!

Catch up...

I know, I know I'm WAY behind on blogging, AGAIN!!! I'll try to get slowly caught up.

The week before Christmas the kids and I were going stir crazy. So, we took a "trip" up to Ames. We spent the night at Uncle Wade, Aunt Steph, and "Baby" Whitney's house. I always HATE spending the night away from home, but it went okay. Grant slept on the couch and Brynn and I slept in their spare bed. They/we didn't got to bed until 10:00pm so I didn't get much complaining when I said it was bed time. B did okay sleeping with me, but she is EVERYWHERE when she sleeps, I was afraid she was going to roll right out of bed...multiple times!
The next day the kids spent the day with Grandpa Brian and Grandma Paula so I could finish up my Christmas shopping.

Christmas Program at church

Grant was in his first Christmas program today at church!!!

His part was a stable animal, we got to choose WHICH stable animal.
A friend of mine had a cow costume, so Grant got to be a cow :)
He, obviously, didn't have any lines, but he was center stage almost the entire show! He didn't sing many of the songs, but just having my shy little boy up on stage is a HUGE victory!!!
The program was SO cute and we were especially grateful to have Kevin, Liz, and the boys come watch it too. Sam wanted to see Grant in the play :)

Lee, I REALLY wish you could have been here for this too.
They video taped it, so I'll get a copy to mail to you!!!

Getting ready...she did NOT want him in the picture with her.

When did she get SO big!?!?!?

The cow is ready to go, B is still brushing her teeth :)

Getting ready in the preschool room at church.

During the performance...see the spotted cow next to Mary, behind the manger???

Joseph, Mary, cow, donkey, sheep, sheep


Singing.


This is getting close the end...he's getting restless :)



They did an amazing job...VERY cute!!!!

First Christmas celebration of the season

On December 5, we traveled to Ames (Wade and Stephanie's house) to kick off the Christmas celebrations. We celebrated with Grandma Cathy and Roger, Great Grandma Audrey, Uncle Wade, Aunt Stephanie and Whitney, Uncle Matt, Aunt Tiffany and Owen.

We had a great meal and a fun day together, even though we missed Lee, A LOT!!!!!!!!!

Opening a remote control Jeep!

Her new baby stroller.

Fixing the baby's hat.

Grant teaching her how to feed the baby :)

His new sled!!!!

I had to wake her up from her nap to open gifts.

Owen, Tiffany, Brynna, me, Grant, Stephanie (+ one on the way), Whitney

That night, after getting home!
She's ready to go...

him, not so much :)


Thank you to everyone for making it a fun day!!!!!!!!!!!
(and for spoiling the kids)

Blah

I know it's been FOREVER since I've blogged. I have things I should post, our first Christmas celebration of the season, putting up the tree, the first snow, the great neighbors I have that moved the snow, my new 'couponing' adventure, cute pictures of the kids...I just don't feel like it.

The days and weeks are ticking by (Christmas is NEXT weekend!!!!) and life is fine. No major issues, no big problems, nothing out of the ordinary. I'm just feeling blah! I suppose that happens when your husband is on the other side of the planet. One of these days I'll get my act together and get the blog updated, for now...this is all I've got.