Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was different for us this year. We always spend it at my mom's but this year, she had a really nasty cold. Since she had no desire to pass that along to her grandchildren (thank you, Mom!) we decided to wait to spend time with her for when she felt better. This Christmas Eve, we were on our own.

We went to our church's Christmas Eve service and our pastor had all the kids come up on the stage and listen to him read Luke chapter 2 to them which tells the birth of our Lord. When they got back to their families, we all lit our candles and sang Silent Night. It was a beautiful way to remember the precious first Christmas.

When we came home, the kids wanted to do something new. We've been helping the kids buy gifts for each other for a few years now and it's something they really look forward to. It's so sweet to see the thought they put into each gift. It's one of my favorite parts of the whole shopping craziness. This year, they even wrapped the gifts they chose but they still didn't want to put them under the tree right away. I thought this was a good idea as some of the gifts might have been guessed and I think that wouldn't have been a disappointment for the giver and for the recipient. But on Christmas Eve, they were ready to set out the presents they picked out and wrapped all on their own.

 Brandon was checking out the Santa Tracker online ;) He was addicted! Clicking on all those countries and getting all that basic info...it's like a geography lesson!

They had pretty strict instructions to not shake them! I hate when things get spoiled! :) And they did good! Everyone was so excited to do this.

Afterward, it was time to put out cookies for Santa and sprinkle the dust for the reindeer.

Now we're ready!

Kristen's church has a midnight Christmas Eve service that she had planned on attending with Jon. When he came to pick her up, I couldn't resist a picture ;)

Even though we really missed our usual activities for Christmas Eve, it was a good evening....an evening for rejoicing for our Lord!

Let the Celebration Begin!

We had our first family celebration of the Christmas season last weekend. I can't believe it's that time! Christmas is really sneaking up on me this year!

Todd's extended family gets together the Saturday before Christmas every year and parties ;) There's food (oh so much food!), presents, and lots of visiting and catching up on each others' business ;) It's a good time :)

This year, we had two elves getting the party started:

Then everyone HAD to be an elf!

In this picture you can kind of tell, but the hat had a button and when you push it the top wiggles back and forth while a Christmas song plays. Cute!

Grandma Judy and Megan:

Time for the presents. We play a game where everyone puts a $10.00 gift in the pile in the middle, then we all draw numbers. When it's your turn, you can choose a gift from the middle or "steal" from someone else ;) So much fun!

A few quick family pictures before we go:

It's great to get together with everyone!

Outtakes

I finally got our Christmas cards made! (now I just have to get them mailed! UGH!) The delay? Well, for one, I wanted all of us to be in it this year. Delay number one: trying to get six people all together when two of them work and one also goes to college and has finals. Lessons learned: take Christmas picture in August ;)

Delay number two: the first batch of pictures didn't turn out. Why? Mostly because I didn't like the lighting. It was after dark and most of the pictures have this yellow overcast thing going on. Yuck. But also, I have a little trouble-maker when it comes to picture time ;)

 He drug them all into his mischief there ;)

 Finally he smiles! But Kristen's face says she's been smiling too long...

 I thought it would be fun to get all the guys together....

 Never did get a good one....

I did get one later though:

 I just have to catch him unaware!

After looking through all the pictures from that night, I decided I didn't really like any of them. I did get a couple of cute pictures but like I said the lighting was just off, so I tried again a couple of days later and this was the very first picture I got:

 Are you kidding me???

Then I threatened ;)

 Much better!

Shining Star

Our church had their Christmas program this weekend and we had a little performer! Megan loves to sing and sadly, our church doesn't have a regular children's choir, so when the opportunity came up to participate in the Christmas program, she jumped at the chance! She worked so hard learning the songs and motions. Really, all the kids did a wonderful job!

The story was a group of stars witnessing the birth of Christ and glorifying God. It was such a sweet story :)

Our little star:

They performed Saturday and Sunday which made for a very busy weekend for us, but it was worth it ;)

Animals on the Farm

We also had fun seeing all the animals on the farm! This is a real, working farm set in the 1800's so all the animals are "free-range" which is a very sweet environment for both the animals and the visitors :)

 The big draft horses were magnificent and gentle. Megan wanted to bring one home ;) So did I.

 The boys headed outside the barn to where the ducks were roaming around. I followed because I knew exactly what was on Nick's mind...chasing them!

 I don't know what it is about chasing ducks and geese that fascinates him so, but he soon had everyone else doing it!

 They gathered quite a following when they started shelling corn for them. Then they turned and chased those poor ducks and geese again laughing out loud when they got honked at!

They helped fill the watering trough too. Little animal lovers :)

 Then it was off to the pig pens. UGH! It stinks there even in the winter!

Kristen and Jon:

 Caleb, Stephen, Nicholas, and Brandon:

 Megan was telling the pig to eat her corn cob first, that it was the best one ;)

 Nearly the whole gang visiting the turkeys:

It was so much fun! I can't wait to go back!

Swingers

One of the things that the kids love about this farmhouse is the toys! There are lots of old fashioned, 1800's style toys outside to play with. It's so interesting for them to see what kids played with once upon a time. A favorite is the swing which cracks me up because we have swings! Of course, they like their own swings too, but this one is wood and hangs from a tree which makes it very cool :)

 As you can see, even the big kids had fun with it! I can't believe how long these kids stayed outside swinging as cold as it was! I think I might need one of those hanging from the tree in my backyard ;)