I had a lot of pictures here so I thought I would give this it's own post. I let the kids get really really messy- tried not to let myself get too anxious, ya know?! And it turned out to be one of my favorite activities with them!
I couldn't really decide if I wanted to do one big Christmas post or separate them into different posts... but in the end I decided to combine most if it into one post because I've already posted so much today!!!
So in no particular order here are some fun Christmas memories!!
Catching a few snowflakes with our tongues... this was really funny because it has been such a MILD winter this year with barely any snow! The snow didn't even stick this particular day but the kids were so excited that we got all dressed up and played in the falling white stuff.
This year I bought a few new books that really added to the collection... since I had more than 25, I put a few in a basket that was out all year long and I think I will do the same next year. A very sweet friend of mine just donated a bunch of Christmas books that will get added next year too- I think we are already set!
I really really wish I had taken some pictures of the kids reading these books. I loved reading these to them and was surprised at how intently they listened to each story every morning. My FAVORITES from this year were The Nutcracker (it's a beautifully illustrated book), a Christmas Goodnight (illustrated by the wonderfully talented Sarah Jane Wright- who also sent us a personally signed book plate!!!) , The Tale of Three Trees (this one is sure to make you cry if you are religious) and a Wish to be a Christmas Tree.
I was determined to try and be a memory making mom this year for Christmas and I've got to say I did better this year than last with our christmas activity advent calendar. Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures of everything but all the little things we got to do together was really really fun. Having something to do that the kids enjoyed made it a lot easier for me to stay sane during this particularly difficult month for me. A couple of years ago I picked up a little shelf that I thought would be perfect for an advent calendar. There were more than 25 little cubbies but I made do. Next year I will probably repaint this again and leave out the numbers. Don't look too closely but I actually skipped a number, lol. I made do by covering some of the numbers up with the presents. It was also hard to find little boxes that would fit the cubbies... so next year I'll probably go out and collect match boxes (why I didn't think of that this year I don't know) or make a few of my own.
I already have fun new things I want to add to the list next year. It's going to be fun with 3 little ones!! I've always had newborns at Christmas time so it's going to be different having an almost 8 month old baby instead!
A few things in the picture I will some day blog about- my new cabinet in which all of this sits that I inherited from my mother!! (LOVE it so much) and the Family Rules I made a few months ago!
Our church had a fun little breakfast with Santa activity this year! There was a belgian waffle bar and a hot chocolate bar and I must say it was pretty much perfect :) The kids had a lot of fun of course... Adam and I didn't do much because Joselyn wanted to hang out with Alli (her babysitter) the whole time! Once breakfast was done with, a shepherd visited with kids to tell them about the true story of Christmas. I have really tried to drill this into the kids heads this year. OUt of curiousity a few weeks ago I asked them why we celebrated Christmas and they said "SANTA!!!" Not really what I wanted to hear... so I have tried to focus a lot of attention on Christ this year, and I'm glad they added this little portion into the Santa Breakfast. Not to mention brother Shultz is quite good with the kids :)
The kids each got a little beanie baby bear... Joselyn was especially excited about hers!
THen Santa came :)
Landen asked him if he liked trucks, of course. Then said he wanted lots and lots of them. I guess Joselyn was pretty obsessed with her little bear because she told Santa she wanted another big bear. (we do not need more stuffed animals in this house!!)
We were shopping at the flea market (a favorite place, really!) for an ugly sweater for the ugly sweater party when the kids saw him. Santa. It had to be him- he was wearing a santa hat, had a big bushy white beard- and sure enough!! He WAS santa and the kids asked him all sorts of questions. I guess you could call this a Kentucky Santa portrait :) He was super nice to let us take a picture with him off hours!
This year I decided to get a little craft and create an activity advent calendar using a little display shelf I had found at the flea market. I painted it a distressed cream and filled little boxes with strips of paper describing the little activity we'd be doing for that day. Some boxes have a few treats in them but most of them are just the strips of paper. I've had a lot of fun with this this year although it seems we never quite get to EVERY activity I've planned, but that's ok! I'll show pictures later- I've somehow managed to misplace the ones I've already taken at the moment, of course.
Our very first activity was to go and see a Live Nativity at the Baptist Church at Andover. We started this particular tradition last year and it was SO MUCH FUN!! This year was actually even better in my opinion, although it definitely helped that the kids were both 1 year older and the fact that it wasn't NEARLY as cold as it was last year!
Instead of the sermon which they had last year, they had free food, drinks and choirs singing as you waited for your turn. Then a quick story time about the Christmas story, and a hayride took us to Bethlehem! Joselyn and Landen were really into it this year and loved seeing the nativity story coming to life. We journeyed through the little town as we asked the townspeople if they had seen Mary and Joseph. Finally we were led to a little stable with a few live animals and Mary and Joseph with their little baby Jesus.
After the nativity scene you are led through the town market place which is also pretty fun! Just like you would imagine it might be back in those days...
This isn't the end of the fun though. They have a game tent, train ride, pony rides and all sorts of fun things going on after you go through Bethlehem! The kids loved candy land!
WE will definitely be back every year as long as we live here!
Adam and I were recently invited by our friends Kauti and Josh to our very first ugly sweater party! I've always wanted to go to one and Kauti is a great party thrower so I was a little more than excited!
Obviously not the actual invite we recieved, but it's the same design- got it off of Kauti's blog. Cute! Problem was, ugly sweaters are hard to find this time of the year- at least at Goodwill! There are a lot of people out there wearing ugly sweaters! I searched at 4 different locations and only came away with a few red ones that could pass. The only one that fit me, the zip up one, was the only one Adam would wear- so he got that one. I ended up going to Gabriel Brothers and bought an ugly sweater that zipped- and I will return it.
Yeah, I know... Adam's sweater doesn't look all that ugly on him. But trust me- he thought it was ugly and it took some major bravery for him to wear a woman's sweater!!
Lots of good food, fun people and a white elephant gift exchange made this one of the funnest things Adam and I have ever done together!
The white elephant gift exchange was hilarious. We got an amazing gift- a cute mug (nevermind the wacky saying on it) But at the last minute it was stolen- and we were left with the last gift sitting on the table. I opened it and immediated handed it over to Adam- I was pretty sure it was a scorpion. Adam thought it was a spider- but upon closer examination we realized it was just a cute little crab.
So we now- once again- have a little crab pet. The kids were very intrigued- but unfortunately we will be taking this little guy back to the pet store where hopefully someone who wants him can take good care of him!
Very fun party Kauti! Thanks for letting me steal your pictures :)
We started a new tradition last year when we discovered there was a charming little Christmas tree farm about 5 minutes from our house! We paid a visit and fell in love with the place and I couldn't wait to wake up on Black Friday and pick out our Christmas tree! I won't mention the small meltdown by Joselyn... we don't really want to remember that although I did take a picture just so I could show her later. Is that mean? Maybe I'll post it right smack in the middle of this post that way I start on a good note and end on a good note- since that's pretty much how it all worked out anyway!
One thing I remember from last year was that it was SO COLD. It was the first snowfall of the year I believe and the kids did NOT have fun. Instead of picking one out and cutting it down ourselves, we chose a pre-cut one so we didn't all have to be miseable. This year we were blessed with BEAUTIFUL weather, which made the whole experience so much more enjoyable! The kids ran up and down the rows of trees in search of the perfect tree.
Occasionally, we would find a cute little one- and Joselyn ALMOST talked me into getting one of those!
And the meltdown happened... can't even remember what triggered it, but most of the time a specific trigger is not needed.
We finally settled on a smaller tree we thought would fit perfectly in our little space and Adam cut it down. He said it was very satisfying- I think it is too! I love that we picked it out together as a family and that we get to enjoy it's freshness throughout this Christmas season.
One thing I love about this place is that they take a picture of everyone who comes to pick out a tree and displays their picture the following year in their barn. The kids and I had fun searching for our picture from last year on the large wall! And here's our picture from this year :)
After our picture, the crew shakes out the tree, drills a whole in the bottom and attaches it to the stand then helps you load it up! We tie ours to the top of the Jeep and since we just live down the street practically, this is no big deal and quite fun for the kids!
We waited until that evening to decorate the tree, and now we have it all decked out. It's amazing how a simple thing such as a Christmas tree can bring such the Christmas spirit into our home! WE kept it really child friendly, and I love the eclectic look of the soft ornaments we've collected (or made) over the years. Pictures of the tree coming soon!
