...and to all a good night!

Unintentional psychadelic Christmas lights caused by an uber slow shutter speed due to me forgetting to turn on the flash! I personally think it looks pretty neat and artsy...who am I kidding right?

Each year, we are blessed to have my Aunt Mary as our pianist. She plays the Christmas songs and we all sing along. This year, my girls were having a great time adding to tunes and Mary let them have at it!

My Cousin Halley and her boyfriend Sean (aka Santa Claus). Every year a different guy has to dress up like Santa and this year, Sean unwillingly drew the "short straw." He was a good sport though and did a great job of convincing my kids that he was the real deal.

None of my kids wanted to sit on Santa's lap first. They all kept pointing at each other to be the first. My cousin Jack who is 10 sat on Santa's lap first. When Bria saw that this Santa actually gave Jack a gift she was all over that bouncing up and down yelling, "My turn!"

Avery receiving her gift from Santa Claus.

Bennett, a bit apprehensive of Santa Claus, opted to sit in the folding chair rather than on Santa's lap despite numerous urgings from the crowd and a kiss and cuddle for Santa from cousin Halley.

Christmas Morning was at our house. I have started the tradition of making monkey bread every Christmas Morning. Avery was the only little mouse awake with me so she helped me roll the dough in the cinnamon and sugar mix. We even added a little of our special cinnamon mix given to us from our new neighbor girls!

Bria loves blankies. If there is one in your house, you are sure to find her there cuddling up with it. She drags them around our house all day long and I never know what is dirty and what is clean. Santa brought her a new Princesses' blanket for Christmas and she was able to cuddle it even with the tags and stickers still on it!

Avery loved her cash register from Grandma and Grandpa Fowble. She exclaimed, "My friend Kiera has this same one!" She has been spending the day learning about quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies.

Hoops! Bennett got a basketball hoop from Santa and it was a sure hit in our house. Bennett and the girls were shooting hoops for hours! It was nice indoor rec time before we went outside to plow, shovel, build a snowman and sled in the gorgeous Christmas snow!

This was the view out of the back windows of our house on Christmas. What a beautiful sight to behold. I could not have wished for a more beautiful Christmas than the one we had this year! Cheers to a wonderful Holiday season and best wishes for 2010!

Shepherd's Flock Christmas

We were very excited last Thursday to attend Avery's Christmas program at Shepherd of the Lake. Her preschool puts on a show every year and all of the families are invited. Avery picked out this dress at the store and said it had gold and white just like her cross necklace. It was the second time that she has worn that cross which was given to her when she was born by our friend Amara.

The teachers led the students up to the altar and they all looked a bit dazed and confused at first. This is how we were greeted when her eyes locked with her Aunt Brooke. It was so darling to see the huge grin on her face.

They sang us 6 Christmas songs full of actions, shouting, and instrument playing. Avery was having a great time with her hollow sticks singing about reindeer hooves.

After the program, we got to take pictures with the kids. It is always an interesting task trying to get all 5 of us to smile on cue. All of the students had made their families a special gift. It was a hand made ornament and a special gingerbread Christmas card telling us how much they love us. Watching her up there singing brought tears to my eyes. My baby is growing up so quickly!

Avery's best friend at school is Adriah. They both talk about eachother constantly and if I didn't know better, I would think that she is one of two other kids who attend Avery's class! Looking at this picture, I see the size difference between these two four year olds and cannot help but laugh! She is indeed growing up...but not necessarily "up."

It's Cookie Time!

It was cookie making time in our household today.
The twins were still napping so Avery and I got started with the dough. She just adores dressing up in her apron and hat. We got the cutting board, dough and roller sufficiently floured up and went to work.














I wish that I could say that this flour on the nose was sponataneous, however, my child took it upon herself to decorate her face on purpose for this perfect photo opp!

Stars, Gingerbread men, stockings and tree's were what we were making. Bria woke up and came to join us. She mixed the green frosting for us and then began rolling her own dough.

Now, it was Bennett's turn to mix the red frosting and don the apron and hat to roll some more dough.













The finished products were so gorgeous that we all just had to decorate and dig in! I have already had my fair share of cookies but these memories are what my kids will hold dear as this time of season comes around each year.