Christmas Eve

Josh and I hosted our family Christmas Eve party at our house. We had lots of tasty food. As you should know by now, I love food. It was dinner time, but we just had lots of appetizer type foods - meatballs, sausage cheese balls, hot ham and cheese poppy seed sandwiches, chips and homemade salsa, cookies, & bacon-wrapped water chestnuts - to name my favorites! We had plenty and it was fun sitting around the table eating and visiting.



When we were all stuffed, the kids put on the nativity. Josh and Mitchel had worked hard to build our "set" and the costumes. Although Josh did this every year growing up, this was the first year we did this with our kids and everyone loved it. Ashley was Mary and Annika was her donkey. Mitchel and Jacob were shepherds. Justin was Joseph and Davis was a perfectly still little lamb. Coleman had been talking all week about being a wiseman, but he just didn't feel up to it. He sat on grandma's lap and didn't move an inch.



We then watched the Nativity put out by the church, but I muted the volume and played a song in its place. You can check it out here.

Then it was time for the annual Christmas jammies from grandma. She always works hard to find matching Christmas pajamas. The task is getting harder as the kids get older, but she always comes through! As soon as the kids caught their bag, they were off to change.



All except Grant that is. He wanted no part in being forced to put on these pajamas or pose for a picture!



We then let the kids run crazy in the basement - we pulled out the gym mats and had all sorts of jumping and flipping going on. It was fun. Even little Coleman tried to get up and jump and somersault.

It was a great evening. Loved having my house full of my family. Just felt good.

When the energy was all spent the Millers left and it was off to bed for all the little Grahams. First checking the internet to see where Santa was and then going to bed dreaming of Christmas morning.

Christmas Eve Brunch

We had our 2nd annual Christmas Eve brunch at the Hormans. We did have more guests this year. Aunt Carol and Uncle Joe were in town as well as Paul and Annie and baby Aiden. My parents also joined in on the fun as well as Kendall and his family. We made breakfast for all 27 of us! Waffles, bacon, hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, and grits. And believe me, it was tasty.

I love good food.

I love living here and being able to spend time with so much of my family.

I love the noise of everyone visiting and being together.

I love hearing the kids laugh and play with all the cousins.

I love all these people. My life is happier because of them.




Time for Gingerbread Houses.







Sadly, my little Coleman woke up with a fever and was just not feeling well. He missed out on most of the fun, but did work for a little while on a house. He had been looking forward to this "party" for weeks. bless his heart.




This brunch kicked off Christmas perfectly. I left feeling totally merry and bright.

Over Already?

I just hate that Christmas has already come and gone. I am not one for putting up decorations before Thanksgiving, but when December comes and leaves so quickly maybe I at least understand why some people do.

I love the decorations that come with Christmas.

I love Christmas music.

I love the spirit of giving that seems to be in the air.

I love the search for that just right gift.

I love seeing the great excitement and anticipation in my kids' eyes.

I love the reason we are celebrating.

I love Christmas and I am sad it is already over.

Almost

My first semester of graduate school is over. Grades are almost official.

My house is almost as clean as I want it.

Work / School is almost over for the holiday break. Friday is the last day. And it does not resume until January 5!

I almost have my Christmas shopping done.

I almost have my Christmas cards finished.

I almost have time to update my neglected blog.

Ready for the "almosts" to be completed!

A little bit of Ashley

Ashley loves, loves, loves to draw. She has loved to draw and color for as long as I can remember. Now that she knows how to spell ( phonetically of course) Story writing is becoming her new favorite. She comes home from school most days and writes stories. She often has an illustration to go with them. Here are a few of my favorites from last week.


I am six by Ashley
I am six. When I am six I go to school. When I am six I can read and do math. I love to be six.



I am thankful by Ashley
I am thankful for my family and my cousins. I am thankful for my friends and grandma and grandpa.

Preschool Update

After 9 weeks of school, Coleman has gone from observer of group activities in the classroom to an actual participant. I am one happy mama.

Last week he made a very cool leaf mask that he painted and glued things on - this required him wearing a big smock which in the past, he refused to do.

Yesterday he made a morocco and actually participated in the march around the classroom.

And today, he made homemade tortillas with cheese and beans and ate it!
( they are studying South America)

Montessori does amazing activiites that are so educational and enriching and he used to just sit and watch. I am so happy he is marching and singing and cooking now.


Oh Coleman. I love you so.

Tagged Again

I am thinking I messed up the rules of the tag game :)

I suppose I was to tag someone else. I didn't.

So I will now.

I tag my sister in law Jill and my dear friend Karen. This is to help you get something new on your blog. It's been a while and I am missing you!

Rules: 4th picture folder, 4th pic in that folder.