nativity set

I was reading back to last year's posts from around this time of year, and just love reading the 'journal' of how things went! Something I haven't posted this year is about Alexa and my trip down South again for Black Friday weekend! She took some pictures, so I should get them from her!
We had a blast and shopped even longer this time around!

One thing I picked up from Toys R Us, was this PlayMobil Nativity Set for the kids. I have always wanted one that they can play with safely and usually had my eye on the Little People Set - but when we spotted this one for $20, I got it once and for all.
I gave it to the kids on Monday evening - I thought I would work it into a daily "advent" countdown thing, but I didn't get to it --- and the countdown begins (or continues I guess) - only 8 days until Christmas!

cookie decorating

On Monday I had Rachel and Sara and non-school kids over for a cookie decorating lunch-date! (Sorry to those who weren't able to make it!)

It turned out really well - we had a nice quiet lunch with just the small ones around (Isabella, Marty, Jaxon, Sammy and Gabi). My kids LOVED having them all here -I never have people over, so this was such a treat for them! They were soaking it all in!
Then we got out some gingerbread stars and let the kids ice, sprinkle and smartie them! Yum!

A King is Coming to Town

This year our volunteer Mom stepped up the plate again to lead our kids in a Christmas Musical - Jodie! Since doubling the production from last year's 20minutes to this year's 40minutes, practices already began before Halloween! Just on Sunday's before Church started for 45minutes. We actually really loved that because then for that 45minutes, we'd run down to Timmy's and have great fellowship with other Moms and Dads!
They did a great job - and had a lot of fun!
Here is Sammy's group, age 3 and 4's, singing one song first:and then this seems to be the only picture I got of Elijah and the actual Musical:

Family Reunion - of sorts!

On the weekend Toby Mac was in Town with Reliant K for a concert in their "Winter Wonderslam" Tour - Jason went (his 6th concert this year I think we counted) with Kurt. Anyway, that's not my point! Because of this concert, it brought into Town Laurel-Anne & Family and Colin & Family. Both Siblings of Rachel! So Rachel opened up her home for an Open House type thing to come and visit both of these Families... of course, we went! Jason pretty well lived at their house in his High School years, hey?
It was great to meet all the newest kids added to these Families and see how big the others have gotten - AND of course, visit with Colin, Kelly and Laurel-Anne! (and yes, you too Rachel!) Laurel-Anne has an Elijah too - so that was weird for my Elijah to hear his name said when not in reference to him - we actually don't know any other Elijah's!
Here are two pictures I got...
Rachel's boys and my boys: Marty, Elijah, Max and Sammyand here are two of Laurel's kids (out of 5 so far): Cara and Clay and of course, my two.It was so nice to visit! Thanks for opening up your home, Rach!

o tannenbaum

We went on the 7th to get our tree - put full snowsuits on kids due to the very cold wind we had been having...

annual "friends" Christmas Party

Year after year we have had a Christmas Party and Jason and I have hosted quite a few of them over the years. I never end up taking pictures, but this year I was sure to!
We always do a potluck dinner, usually appetizers galore, but this year I decided upon a Mexican Themed Dinner. I made two chicken enchilada dishes and rice... and others brought a Taco Salad, Bean-Avacado Dish, Mexican Spirals and Green Salad. It was a wonderful dinner! There was talk of having another theme next year and having 'best dressed couple' to go with the theme. I did have that in the invitation this year, that people could come dressed in their Mexico-best, and Aaron did! He was great with mustache painted on and heavy, authentic, large hat on his head! Thanks for your enthusiasm!
For dessert we pulled out a Chocolate Fondue Fountain that Jason's Cousins gave us (Georges and Micheline) - it worked out well with the assortment of dippers we had (cherries, pineapple, bananas, pretzels, cookies, cream puffs and more)
Here is Dana - and Jason, Steve and his new Bride, Jen (there were 3 Jen's here that night!) and then our tradition is to bring a 'white elephant' gift (something used, gag or re-gift) - we got some good stealing going on this year! Makes it more fun!
Here is Aaron with is painted on facial hair:and Sara picking a giftand Kurt opening a little teapot and teacup setand Jen opening this crazy fish that can actually swimNathan stole that as fast as he could!It was another wonderful evening of visiting!

I didn't get pictures of everyone! Sorry!
And we missed you out, Brian & Korinne, Paul & Rachel, Paul & Lisa! Next year!

Spirit of Christmas

On Friday December 4th, we dropped off Elijah at my Parent's so they could take him to basketball so that we could take Sam and Gabi to this event at TWU. We had a great time - facepaintingpetting zoomusical entertainmentoutside drama
And as crazy as we are, we picked up Elijah, stopped at home for snowpants (for warmth, not for snow) and headed to the Candlelight Parade in Mssn. It was a late night for the kids, but so fun!

The illustrations in this book are fantastic, using soft sculptures - not what you typically see that's for sure!

great story

I pulled out our Christmas decoration totes and inside were most of our books that are Christmas-themed. I thought I might share some of them on here -Merry Christmas!