Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve Services at Christ Church  It was the first year where the whole family sat together and no one was in the nursery!

Christmas Eve Dinner - grilled filet mignons, twice baked potatoes in crispy potato boats, and creamed marsala mushrooms.

 Leaving cookies for Santa

and a reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Oh, how I love thee, Christmas Eve! Delightful anticipation, great food, family togetherness, and faithful hearts looking toward the celebration of Christ.

Gingerbread House Party

We had a great time with the Cordovas, Harveys, Mitrans, Eglites, and  Highfills at our Gingerbread House Decorating party.

Unfortunately, an earthquake struck the next day...

Oh well. The kids didn't mind eating chunks of Gingerbread carcass!

Elfin' Fun

My friend Steph posted a hysterical video of her family that she made. We laughed so hard that we had to make one for our family too.
Here ya go... http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/pb6ZEZGWfKRLKw3B

Christmas Party at Preschool

I was one of the "party moms" for Clayton's preschool Christmas party. We had 2 crafts, games, Christmas stories, and a fun decorate-your-own-sugar cookie snack. I was (big surprise) in charge of the crafts. We made baby-in-the-manger ornaments and lace-up stockings.

 

Spreading some Christmas Cheer

I took the kids to the Winchester House Nursing Home to spread a little Christmas cheer. They handed out candy canes and sang a few Christmas carols.  It was very sweet to watch, and nice to see the eyes of some of the elderly light up when they saw young children ...something I don't think they get to see very often.

Cookies and Crafts Childrens Party

Last Friday, I hosted a "Cookies and Crafts" Childrens Party.  It was lots of fun and not nearly as chaotic as last year! What a difference a year makes! Thanks to Steph for taking some great pictures.

We started off making a baby-in-the-manger ornament. 

 We then moved on to cookies. I've learned from experience - it works best when dealing with little kids and frosting , that they each get their own cup of frosting and spreader!

Steph and 2 of her 3 - Cooper and Jackson



Steph and Grant




Kate and her twins, George and Patrick




Lindsey and Caleb




Laura and her daughters, Sophie, Charlotte, and Senya



And me and my three!

Lessons and Carols

Our family got to light the Advent candle at church during the Lessons & Carols service. The whole service had such beautiful music. I wish I had a video of at least parts of it! Sean Harris, a blind singer, sang beautiful renditions of O Holy Night and Little Jesus Boy.

My parents joined us at church and then we went to Kevin's Place in Deerfield for brunch. It's definitely one-of-a-kind!

BB took Caroline to "A Christmas Carol" at the Citadel theatre.

And we've been BAKING for the holidays! Peanut blossoms, Almond butter blossoms, chocolate crinkles, frosted sugar cookies, and frosted devils food cake cookies.

The kids donned their holiday aprons to help out!

 What's more fun than rolling dough in sugar?

Poppy Seed Bread for teacher gifts this year (with ornament cards that the kids decorated.)

And Saturday's activity was making (and playing with) gingerbread playdough!  Here's a link on how to make it! Gingerbread Playdough

Preschool Christmas Shows

Both Clayton and Austin had their preschool Christmas programs last week. I love seeing little children singing Christmas carols with their sweet, baby voices!

And here they are in action...

Clayton sings Baby Boy

Austin "singing" Jingle Bells

Oh Christmas Tree...

Searching for the perfect tree...

Decorating the tree. I LOVE this part! The kids had so much fun decorating. And I love to see the bottom of the tree where they hang like 6 ornaments on the same branch!



"Show me the star up close, Daddy!"



Video of us decorating the tree!