Christmas in Review

I know Christmas was a week ago, I just got my photos to upload to my computer. I will do a quick run through of Christmas Eve and Christmas with of course lots of pictures.

Christmas Eve is always with my mom. After the 2 o'clock service at church, which was great, we headed to Post Falls. We had dinner of ham, my favorite, played the Just Dance Wii, (love!), and gifts. When we were young my parents got us PJs we opened on Christmas Eve and wore them to bed. Since we are older and have kids she gets the grand kids PJs. (I'll have to do a post on the PJ scrapbooks we have made my mom.) It's always a great evening. Then we are home in time to put some cookies out for Santa and get to bed. :)

There is one kid missing. My brother couldn't make in up from Portland. He was missed.

I love Christmas morning. We make the kids wait till we pour coffee and give everyone their juice. They open stockings and the gift from Santa first. I love how the boys don't really get it yet and just ate their apples while Summer opened gifts. We have a rule that I made when I had Summer, we don't leave our house till noon. We spend this time just us 5 together. After all gifts were opened we took a look at our Jesus box and thanked God for everything we does for us. Like I said I love Christmas morning. :)

Gifts? I just need my apple.

Here dog have some candy canes.

Summer got Reggie a pancake shaper.

Summer and her locket.

LOVE my gift!!

On to dad's. Everyone heads there next. We have a very yummy brunch. And of course gifts. My dad's is where my bothers and I also exchange gifts. So lots of gifts being passed around. The kids love it. Again the boys didn't really care to much about the gifts they just wanted to run away and play with Boo the dog. But Summer and Neaveh love it. They helped pass out the gifts. :)

After a little break at home we went to Reggie's parents. We are lucky that everyone lives so close. For dinner Darlene decided to do an nontraditional dinner and have tacos. I can eat tacos anytime so I was all for it. And the kids liked it. Darlene and Dean gave the kids great sweaters for winter, which the boys will actually wear. Todd and Sharon got them some very cute clothes. Ending Christmas at their house is the best way to end it. Very chill. :)

It was a great, amazing, wonderful Christmas!!

To the North Pole and Back

Every year my dad treats all of us three and older (family rule) to see the North Pole. The cruise on Lake CDA that is. We have been going for as long as I can remember. Before all of us kids started having kids. My dad is one of the most amazing people I know. We go on the boat then to dinner somewhere close. Every year has been a different place. This time was the Wine Cellar, which was very yummy. Anyway it was a great night. :)

Dinner with the Cooks

Last week we had dinner with the Cooks. They our amazing neighbors upstairs.Julie and Kara are like family and we enjoy the time we spend with them. I made lasagna, yes by myself. I almost messed it up if Reggie wouldn't have come up for lunch. But they turned out really good, (one for the meat eater and one for the veghead).

After dinner we exchanged gifts. Everyone got some cool stuff. But Summer getting her fish was fun to see. She named it Sam. Thank you Julie and Kara. We are blessed to have neighbors like family. :)

Christmas is Over

Christmas is over and we're still here. It was one of the best. Laid back and nice. Been busy and can't get my photos to upload. I'll go post crazy soon. Lots as happen and I want to get it all down. :) But sometimes other stuff needs to be done. Isn't that the way. =)

Baby Under the Tree

This is baby Jesus in our house. Yes the only doll we have is a girl. She is in a cloth diaper, wrapped in a blue blanket, in a basket under the tree. Summer set the whole thing up. I looked over one day and saw the above and had to take a picture. I know it's just a doll, but it's a great reminder of  the real baby who came to save us all.

Happy Birthday Jesus! Party

In honor of the season and what Christmas is all about I hosted a Happy Birthday Jesus! Party for some friends. We're been working hard this year to really hit home about the true meaning of Christmas. Guest list: Erica and her 4, Shaunna and her 3, Kaylie and her 1, and of course my 3. We made candy cane cookies, Shaunna read a book called J is for Jesus by Crystal Bowman, which tells the story behind the candy cane. We let the kids out a bit to burn off energy while the cookies baked. When back inside some of the kids made cards for Jesus. We sung happy birthday and blew out candles, one for each kid. Then made the kids go back outside to burn more energy off. I think it went well and would love to do it again next year. :)

Making cookies

Storytime

Birthday cards

A candle for each kid, cause Jesus loves everyone

love homemade cards

yum