lights

Christmas lights are a FAVORITE at our house. Between putting them on our house, on our tree, in our bedrooms, and looking for them in surrounding neighborhoods, we just can't get enough.
I was preparing to hang some lights and had to check to make sure they all worked and were a long enough strand.  The kids were mesmerized:
First it was Ryder:

 then his sister wanted to get in on the fun:

then I told them I would be putting the lights away:
(The look, "Are you being serious?")

then came the pouting:

We REALLY like lights at our house...
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Here it is this year:

We are big fans of the c9 multicolor lights.
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We went to look at lights the other night after dinner and bath time. We bundled up in our jammies and hopped in the car to head to one of our favorite local neighborhoods that goes all out.

There is a house that syncs it's lights to music and it is just beautiful!  It's one of our favorite stops.

It was so sweet, when we had seen the whole cycle of songs and we were about to leave, Ryder said, "Thank you mama for taking me to see these lights!  It's so beautiful!"  It's moments like that that make motherhood so great! I love that kid and watching the look of sheer wonder and awe on their little faces was priceless.
Plus, I was informed that the Grinch is one of his favorite Christmas stories, so seeing the Grinch on the roof just made Ryder's night!

Eden liked the lights, but after a few minutes, she wanted to know if I had brought any snacks.  Gotta love a growth spurt...

She said over and over, "Nack, peese!  Mommy, nack peese!"
Goodness gracious... 
So I hope you have  a day that is merry and BRIGHT!

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas around here...

We are having lots of fun this year with our preparations for christmas...

It has been a fun work in progress. I still have some projects to add.

Here are a few views from around our place:

Computer area:

Kitchen:

My warm mulled cider candle is a new favorite!

Dining room:

Living room:

Eden's room:

Last year I made the pink ribbon tree so I decided to run with it this year and add silver and glitter.

Ryder's room:

(garland from Target)

 Thanks Mal for making this tree!  

It is a favorite tradition to pull it out and decorate it!

 Where all of our advent ornaments go:

(I put them on a ring so we can review the stories a little bit easier...)

and the best view in our house:

Yep, these faces are by far the best view♥.

family photos

We recently had our friend Alex take our family's pictures.  

It was a beautiful day...  

Thank you  Alex Pavone for capturing our family perfectly!

advent

This year our church is doing the Truth in the Tinsel with our kiddos.  It has been such fun experience and there has been such sweet moments with the kids and reading the bible and prayer.  

There are all sorts of fun create activities, but Ryder has been very satisfied to just color the ornaments each day.

Here he was a few days ago after we read the passage in Luke about Zechariah.

We cut them out and out them on a ring so that he could have them on the tree in his room.  

If you are interested to know more about it or if you would like to do it with your Littles,  you go to ohamanda.com.