I love this time of year. I love that we have traditions that our kids will remember for a long time, and that they will maybe carry on to their children one day.
Of course - it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas with this beauty!
Of course - it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas with this beauty!
Our advent calendar - to countdown how many days until Christmas. Each little box contains a small treat for each kid!
Another tradition our kids love (and I LOVE LOVE) is Mr. Peeps! This little elf moves to a new spot each day (and sits way up high) to watch and report to Santa Claus if the kids are making good choices. He only flys at night when the little ones are fast asleep! This elf is magical and the kids know not to touch him - or else he can lose his special powers. On Christmas eve, he lands on our Christmas tree...and by Christmas morning Santa picks him up and takes him back to The North Pole.
We started a new tradition this year: This is our Service tree! After a really inspiring RS Christmas program, I really wanted my kids to serve others and see that it truly "is better to give than to receive!" Every time the kids showed an act of kindness by serving another, they were given an ornament to hang on our tree! They made the poster of the tree and were really excited to decorate it with different ornaments that they had to earn. This was a really great way for them to see what a difference it makes to serve and be kind this Christmas season!!
On Christmas Eve, we headed over to The Johnson's house for Brittany's world famous Belgium Waffles topped with strawberries, whip cream, and homemade syrup! We had breakfast for dinner and it was heaven!
Our host: Brittany Johnson!!
Grantham's, Johnson's, and the Weaver's! Ms. Jenn is Dalan's preschool teacher so he was pretty excited to have their family join us! (Also, he loves her boys and Hannah babysits my kids and they adore her!)
We watched "Joy to the World" to remind the kids the real reason we celebrate this season and remember Christ's birth. After the movie, the kids acted out the Christmas story using puppets!
Of course the tradition on Christmas Eve is to let the kids open just one present - and every year it is a new pair of pajamas!
Aren't they cute!
Our Family on Christmas Eve!
CHRISTMAS MORNING!!!!
Of course the tradition, Cookies for Santa - with beautiful artwork from the children!
Sugarplum fairies dancing in their heads....
(I could never get a picture of Khloe because she is such a light sleeper...)
I think this one is more for ME! I am in love with Orange Rolls. I never make them, but you bet ya on Christmas morning - it is our thing. However, I am a little bummed because I am pretty sure my kids don't love them. I know. How could they not???
A new tradition this year: The Christmas Pickle
We got this as a neighbor gift this year - and it is such a cute idea! On Christmas Eve, we hide the green pickle on the green tree, and whoever finds it on Christmas morning gets to open the first present! Look who got it....miss Macie!
The Mr. Claus
The Mrs. Claus
MACIE ALLIN ON CHRISTMAS MORNING!
Macie made this ornament at school as a gift for her parents!
This is what Mrs. Clause stood outside of Toys R Us for 2 hours in the freezing cold waiting for - this singing machine and I am happy to say it has been a total hit! Macie loves to perform and she looks good doing it!
Her FAVORITE gift this year is her American Girl doll. She has been taking little "Jenny" everywhere with her. Changing her clothes 5 x a day, having a tea party, tucking her in at night...meet Macie's new sidekick! I love that she is still playing with dolls - it keeps her young a little longer!!
DALAN CRAIG ON CHRISTMAS MORNING!
Dalan's wish list came true this year when he asked for "Molten Hot Lava!" Mom and Dad delivered with this volcano kit! He was sooooo excited :)
This present turned into a days work with his daddy!
Working hard - and Dalan couldn't be happier. This is CHRISTMAS for him for sure!!
The finished product!
Another favorite - his rocket ship!
KHLOE LIN ON CHRISTMAS MORNING!
Christmas Sunday Best! I love the tradition of getting the kids coordinating outfits for church. I don't know why - but I love this. I think they look so cute when they are all dressed up...and I am hoping by them feeling good, will make them act this way at church!!!
*** What a beautiful holiday and time of year this is. There is definitely something so special about Christmas. It is magical for the kids. It is a time for families to be together. There is a special chill in the air. I love so much Christmas music playing. The smell of my snowberry scentsy makes me so happy. Baking and holiday treats. There is a spirit in the home of goodness, kindness, and serving others. I am so thankful we recognize this and are able to take some time out of our daily routine to truly reflect on the birth of our Savior. What a beautiful thing. ***
4 comments:
LOVE you sweetie! Nothing is better than making great friends our family and sharing in all these great traditions.
A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.
our boys seriously need to get together. my kids got marshmallow guns too, and they would have LOVED that volcano! happy 30th birthday, looks like you had a blast!
It looks like your family had a wonderful holiday. That's a very unusual advent calendar. Did you make it?
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