MERRY MERRY

We had such a wonderful Christmas celebrating with our sweet boys! Sam was really into Christmas this year. I think it was the 1st year he really understood the "reason for the season". Cupid, our elf, came a few days after Thanksgiving and Sam spent every waking moment asking questions about Cupid. He wanted to know "do Jesus and Cupid talk?" Tanner was starting to ask us really hard questions about some of the "magic" of Christmas. I was really sad at first but then I realized through all of his questions that he understands the IMPORTANT WHYof the season...Jesus' birth. The closer Christmas got the less questions he asked but he is my serious and practical guy so I'm sure his wheels are still turning.

We started our celebration of Jesus' birth with the Phillips family.

 We spent the next afternoon with my parents and sisters. There is something so nostalgic about Christmas with my parents. I love the little traditions they have for the boys some of the same ones they did for my sisters and I.

See that excited face on my mom???

My parents are SO hard to surprise with GREAT gifts because they always just buy it for themselves.

This year I took the boys to a friend, the owner of MiniMasters, to paint a painting for my parents. Look in the photo below to see the painting...its the long rectangle in front of the other painting. We also had the boys do a painting for Mr. and Mrs. Phillips. I think they turned out really well!

It's hard work being so loved and spoiled with oodles of gifts. The boys were exhausted after round 2 and we still had more to go. They are so very blessed. I hope that the things we do like Christmas shoeboxes, baking for community helpers and writing down our gift for Jesus help the boys realize how very blessed they are.

BEST GIFT...SNOWBALL FIGHT

(below)

We have played with these at least 20 times since they opened them. Mom ordered each of the boys a "bucket of snowballs" from etsy. They were about the size of baseballs, made from really soft fabric and the boys just blast each other! BOY HEAVEN!

Traditions. When my sisters and I were little we opened new jambes every year on Christmas Eve. My mom still gives us all new jammies every Christmas Eve. 

Chris and I wanted to give the boys a gift on Christmas Eve also so we decided a few years ago to do a new Christmas book.

This year we got:

Christmas morning

I always love to see what's a big hit Christmas morning. The boys each picked a play-doh set for the other and they played with them for hours Christmas morning!

I absolutely love gifts that keep the boys outside...our house is small and their energy is big!

Phillips cousins minus one sleepyhead. It was so much fun this year watching all of the little ones at Christmas!

sweet moments

Tanner is our official "prayer" guy this Advent. 

Every night when we close he reads the written prayer then closes with his own prayer.

 I am so very proud of the young man he is becoming. 

He is so blessed to have such a Godly father who has taught him to pray.

tis the season

1st Night of Advent

Every night we read our scripture, then the story and say a prayers.

We use a (made up by us) version of the Jesse Tree. 

This year the boys are drawing a picture each night to add to our tree.

Weekly Advent Calendar

Sunday-Light candles and sing/listen to hymns...we like the Third Day versions

Mondays-Baking special thank you's: friends, teachers, service workers

Tuesdays-special treat/lunch note

Wednesdays-christmas craft...sewing, beaded ornaments, name of Christ ornaments, etc

Thursdays-writing cards/drawing pictures for people who serve us and mailing them

Fridays-family movie night

Saturdays-special family date to a Christmas activity

Westminster Christmas Program

1st grade recited Luke 2:1-15

It was beautiful!

For some reason Chris and I got the FATTEST tree on the lot. It takes up like 1200 feet of our 1660 foot house.

It fell...so now it is bolted to the wall...don't ask?!?!

And no worries...Sam emailed Santa and "Cupid" the elf his Christmas list!

pure joy

pure joy...this is what it is all about
it makes parking and shopping with the crazies worth it


To see the looks on their faces Christmas morning is so precious.  The boys were so excited they could barely contain themselves. 
We have a special tradition...each year before the boys rip through the stuff we stop to reflect on Jesus.  Each family member has to tell what our "gift" to Jesus will be.  What will work do or work on during the upcoming year that will glorify or honor God? We videotape our answers so they can be remembered!
Now it's time to bust into the toys!

gingerbread houses

We make Gingerbread Houses every year.
 It is one of my favorite traditions...maybe it's the candy and the icing! This is it went along with our ADVENT.  Tonight we talked about how Jesus is our "Rock" when we trust and obey him. Since we talking about "building" a solid rock with our faith, tonight was the perfect night to build our Gingerbread Houses. 
Chris was on "SAM PATROL". His job was to monitor Sams candy intake...it's a big job! Tanner built a village not just a house. He spent alot of time...over an 1 1/2 on his.  He laid nerds 1 by 1 on the sides, and pez 1 by1 on the roofs.

Advent reading Matthew 4:24-27

To make these EASY Gingerbread Houses you NEED:
a glue gun
graham crakers(generic works best)
your husband's candy stash
icing

...Hot glue graham crackers 1/2's (when you get the one big sheet break it...this is my 1/2) in PAIRS
...hold up for a few seconds when glueing to get right angle
...glue 2 pairs to make square for house
...add a pair on top for the roof

Advent...first Sunday

Celebrate Christ Cards...25 Ways in 25 Days

This year we are changing up our Advent a little since the boys are bigger.  A friend spoke this summer at 2nd Presbyterian about "Keeping Christ as the focus during the holiday season".  I was not able to hear her, though I wish I had, but she graciously sent me the information with some great resources. You can find it here...

25 Ways in 25 Days  Visit:  http://www.vinepropertygroupblog.com/2009/11/welcome.html

Simply print the cards...they include the scripture, concept and "gift" ideas.  We do not do gifts everyday...however we do something considered "special".  I love all of the cute wrapped gifts labeled #1-25, I have seen on PINTEREST but I do not want it to be about the STUFF...we are trying to get away from that.  My goal is to use games, activities, crafts or small trinkets to help make hiding God's word in their hearts very memorable. At the end of December, I hope to hear the boys talking about The Shepard, Jesus' birthday and God's word. I know they are little but if we don't engage those precious minds now and fill them up with God's love for them they will slip away before we know it.

(like this via Pinterest)

We will light a candle each Sunday, read from our cards and do our "activity.  Tonight we read the Christmas story from Luke, set up the nativity, talked about the many names for God and listened to Emmanuel by Amy Grant on the Ipad...this was the highlight (ei..."activity")!

I will try to share our ideas for Advent as we go!

(via Pinterest)

Yes...Sam is singing.  He did lots of "bunnser" shaking too...my wild man!

Just in case someone wants a fast, easy Advent idea...this is my post from Advent last year...it was great and very age appropriate for a 1 and 4 year old.  We did lots of crafts, baking and giving. It is very fast to print and make the Christmas chain.

http://familyofphillips.blogspot.com/2010/12/advent.html