Bushwar Christmas Festivities

Since we were in Minnesota for Christmas, we celebrated in Texas the Sunday evening before...

And then we stopped over at Memaw and Poppie's the next night for some more Christmas cheer!

T'was the Weekend Before Christmas

Quite possibly the busiest weekend of year.
Three birthday parties.
One ABF Christmas party that we hosted.
A Christmas program at church.
And our Bushwar Christmas celebration.
Phew.  It was fun but so, so busy.
R.I.P. December 16-18.

This Christmas

This Christmas was filled with lots of questions about naughty and nice,
Hoping nice would win and Santa would visit,
Worshiping and reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas,
A few sniffles, sneezes, and stuffy noses,
Little hands frosting cookies for Santa,
Playing outside on the playground with no snow on the ground,
A table of food stocked with ham, Swedish meatballs and sausage, Swedish potatoes, salads, fruits, cookies, and Yule Log cakes,
Leisurely visits with family,
Late night boardgames,
A few squabbles over new toys,
Eating chocolate from stockings for breakfast,
Lots of time to play and cuddle with cousin Avonlea,
Little and big ones ripping open packages,
Peace, Joy, and Love.

Merry Christmas!

Waiting for Santa

Christmas at Sloan

Today was Liam's Christmas party at Sloan School.  The kids had a book exchange, read the Christmas story, ate breakfast food for lunch, and concluded with a visit from Santa. Jon surprised Liam by taking the day off of work to attend.  I met them during my lunch break and caught the tail-end of the celebration.  So much fun to see all the excitement in the room!
  

Liam loves his teacher, Ms. Amy.



I love this picture...such a typical 3-year-old shot.  One kid biting her tongue whilst looking toward the right.  One smiling right at the camera ready for a picture, and the other one happy as she walks away because whoever is behind the camera is taking way too long, and she's ready for her next adventure.



Jon took the day off of work, and I left during my lunch, so we were both able to be at the class Christmas party. 

Christmas Trains

  This is the first year we've made it to the Trains at Northpark exhibition during the Christmas season.  Liam loved it!  If you have a little (or big) guy or gal who likes trains, this is the place to be in December.

Advent

This is the first year that we've done an advent calendar at our house.  In fact, we actually are doing two different types of advent calendars.  Jon and Liam are working on a Lego one, and it's been a hit!  Liam (and his Daddy) can't wait to build the next part of the puzzle.  Did I mention it's a Star Wars Lego Advent?  I need not say more.

We're also doing a family one each night.  I wrapped 24 books (ones that the kids already have but aren't on the hit lineup, so they are kind of overlooked, but great).  Each night before bed, the kids unwrap one, and we read it to them.  We're saving the most Christmasy and special ones for last.  I got this idea from my latest obsession, Pinterest, and it's been a great, free way to count down the days to Christmas.



The Rock

With the motto, "Complete, Not Compete,"

On Sunday morning,

In pouring, freezing rain,

With none minimal training,

In 3:41 wet hours,

Mike and I finished the White Rock Half Marathon.

13.1 miles sure is a long way to walk in one morning!

(Almost) Everyone Loves Santa!

Ellery and Liam loved sitting on Santa's lap at the mall last night.  Liam told Santa that he wanted a motorcycle, a gun (huh?), and snow for Christmas.  Marin, on the other hand, was less than enthusiastic to visit old Saint Nick.  Poor thing, she was not a happy camper.

Let's take a closer look...

Oh, how I love the Santa pictures every year, and some day so will our Marin!

The Halls are Decked

A little elf helped me decorate the house this year.

He liked to layer the ornaments on the tree, so I had to rearrange a few.