Christmas Celebrations at Home...

Before we left for Shaver Lake, we celebrated our little family Christmas with our traditions that we wouldn't be able to easily duplicate up at the cabin. 
Drinking coffee out of my 1983 mug from my parents:

On December 22nd, we had our big breakfast with cinnamon rolls, sang happy birthday to Jesus, read the Christmas story and opened a few gifts.
Breakfast is always so GOOD!
Eden helped me decorate our placemats:

We read the Christmas story and we talked about the gift that God gave us in his son Jesus, and that's why we give gifts at Christmas, to remember God's love in his gift of Jesus:

Opening gifts:

The kids primarily opened their gifts at the cabin so they just opened a few things:

The kids had Christmas PJs and we took our photo by the tree.

We took our time. We didn't feel rushed. I felt like it anchored us in what the whole season is all about as we went into our Christmas Eve services.

It was so special to have those moments together as a family.  I hope that the kids will cherish them as much as Kit and I do...❤︎
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Now we are off to play in the snow and have some family fun in Shaver!

Merry Christmas!

We will be in Shaver Lake this year for Christmas, but before we left, we wanted to say:

From our family to yours, we pray you have a very Merry Christmas!

"For to us a a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on His shoulders, 

And he will be called Wonderful Counsleor, 

Mighty God, Everlasting Father, 

Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

Christmas Eve 2018

Our church did our Christmas Eve services yesterday and I am so thankful each time that we get to be part of them.  It is truly a sacred celebration of the birth of our Savior!

 The Magi following the Star, which led them to worship the Savior, the Light of the World...

"But the Angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you GOOD news of great JOY that will be for ALL people. Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord!'"

Luke 2:10&11

Christmas Vacation, Here We Come!

Today is the first day of Christmas vacation for the kiddos and they are OVER THE MOON to have two weeks off!

We have spent the last two days doing all sorts of holiday festivities at their school and it was been so sweet to be a part of it all...
Like wearing pjs to school for extra coziness:

Eden's class party was on Wednesday:

It was all about crafting memory books, photo booths, decorating cookies, and pizza!

The moms in this class are the absolute BEST!

(The grandmas too❤︎...)

I love our teacher...

...and I love getting to be with my girl:

Ryder's class party was on Thursday:

His teacher was sick and we were so sad that she wasn't able to be there...
There was ornament making:

Cookie decorating:

 #nailedit

There were human snowmen and bingo:

And making edible Christmas trees with ice cream cones:

It was so fun to know so many of the kids from over the years and to get to be part of the celebration!

When they got home, they shed those uniforms and settled into the vacation with playing games, watching Christmas movies, and a pasta dinner!

 Joy to the World!

We are ready to unwind and enjoy some MUCH needed family time together!