The Wedding!

My sister had a beautiful wedding last weekend. It was a great day for it. The weather was wonderful, and the kids had fun getting all prettied up to be in their first wedding! Ada even got to throw snow out...just like Elsa! ;) It was a lovely winter wedding! I had to share some pics that we got, and so many more to come, I'm sure!

We wish them 100+ years of happiness and love <3

Christmas Came!

Christmas came, with all its joy and wonder, it came. Along with it, came illness and a wedding, so I am so behind on my blogging!

My little boy visited the doctor for his ears, and got some good meds for that, so hoping he will be all better very soon! My big boy started feeling ill Christmas Eve, but with all the excitement he could muster, he tried his best to hang in there with us and enjoy it all he could. And then Ada was caught by the illness within a day of Christmas. It was such a busy weekend that we had to just keep plugging along best we could and they were such big troopers!

So here's a post to catch us up, before we jump into our new year...warning that lots of photos to follow!

Our elves had a few more days with us since my last post. Here's what they were up to..

Sunday they got into our sprinkles and reminded us how important it is to be sweet! This is also the day, that Grady, in his little innocent two year old way, got a hold of the elves! oooppss!! The big kids were quite bothered by this, but Santa's helper quickly got some inside information on what to do...we ended up sprinkling some cinnamon beside them for a little vitamin boost to help them get back to the North Pole so the elf doctors could check on them. ;) Happy to report, it worked perfectly! And they safely arrived  back at our house the next day!

And of course, because of their doctor visit, they got into Ada's doctor stuff the next day...and left a great letter on faith and forgiveness...they were upset a Grady for a bit but quickly realized he didn't know! ;)

We said good-bye to our elves on Christmas Eve! It was kind of sad for the kids, but they were absolutely delighted that "Santa" allowed them to get a hug before they flew back to the North Pole for the last time!

So, until next year! ;) 

Christmas Eve is traditionally spent with my side of the family. We started this after we got married, just to cut down on the traveling each day and helps us feel less stretched out. Due to illnesses, we were unable to make our usual rounds, but Grady and Daddy played elves for us and went to deliver our little gifts to close by family. My mom and siblings came over to our house and we ate food, played and spent time together. It was wonderful to all be together, I'm not really sure the last time I saw all my siblings on the same day, so it was a treat. Once the crowd died down, the kids and I made Santa's cookies and Jesus' birthday cupcakes. This too is a tradition I treasure. We have made a birthday cake since we had children just as a tiny reminder of who's day it is. Before we open presents and marvel at Santa's goodness, we must first sing happy birthday to Jesus. And Grayson was all into how oooolllllddddd he would be this year! Very cute. ;) 

   

My mom and all her grandchildren! :)

 Making cookies and cake! :)

 Reindeer food :)

They colored beautiful pictures while I read some of my favorite Christmas books (Room for a Little One, The Birds of Bethlehem...and the list goes on ;) ) to leave with their cookies and milk.

Christmas morning, was wonderful. A pitiful big boy, but I could see his excitement even if he couldn't show it much! ;) We are "those" parents, our children are well taken care of but we try to be very careful about just giving giving giving all the time. And Christmas gives us that chance to fulfill some of those wants and desires that our children have, while keeping it very reasonable too! To get those little things that we try to contain throughout the day to day life. We allow them to earn things or work towards different things throughout the year, but it sure is fun to give them a couple little things just because we love them! And that is what Christmas is all about for us. We didn't earn Jesus, we didn't even deserve Jesus, but God loved us enough to send the most wonderful gift ever given. I see the wonder and awe over Christmas in the face of my children (and not just because of the gifts but because of Jesus!) and I can only imagine how awe filled the stable was on that amazing night.

We appreciate the three gift rule...they typically get a small toy, a book to read and something to wear from us and Santa also brings their one wishlist item (if possible), a book and a small "surprise" as Grayson calls it...and stockings! Which Santa's helper really enjoys! I love little treats ;)

  Each of the children with their Santa gifts :)

 Stocking treats :)

Books!

Their wishes came true this year! A remote firetruck with real working water hose, an art set for Grady...he loves to color and paint. and an Ariel dress and doll for sweet Ada! Happy babies!

 Enjoying their morning! But Mommy and Daddy had one more treat! It's been months in the making, and we are so so excited for our family vacation this year...

None of us have been before, and I have attempted to plan some really special treats! We will spend 6 days at Disney and one day at Legoland! So excited! We seriously can't wait to make some amazing memories...not to mention my princess will get to celebrate her 5th birthday in true princess fashion! ;) 

My Christmas babies! <3

"Don't you get the sense tonight
That for now the world is right
And as another Christmas ends
My mind drifts and once again
I'm thinking like a six year old
Only 364 days to go..." <3

Countdown to Christmas!

The last couple weeks have been so full and so fun. We have Christmas-ed all we can, loved all we can, given all we can, and had all the fun we can. 

We added a quite fun choo choo this year around the tree. The kids love it! Especially my little conductor. ;)

Christmas get togethers with family have started. They add so much excitement to the season. Just being together and sharing the joy. 

We spent one Sunday of Advent in the woods! Church clothes and all. It was such a wonderful morning. Just us, trees, and God. It was just what we needed. :)

We also hit our first ever Aiken parade! It's probably been 20 years since I have been and Chris and I have never gone. 

Grady was in his first preschool program, and really did great! I really expected him to run the other way and say no thanks! But he stayed up there the whole time. Not much singing but he did give daddy a few waves. He did great :)

The kids and daddy went and got us a load of fire wood. They really enjoyed this and so did dad! :)

Lights at Hopeland Gardens with the cub scout pack. 

It wouldn't be Christmas without Christmas hair and Christmas nails! ;)

More family gatherings :)

And of course some Christmas baking :) pumpkin cookies! 

We are loving every minute! The energy is high, the excitement is building, and the love is overflowing. These people, this house, this love, I am so very grateful for. They make my Christmas so happy. I can only imagine what the first Christmas was like. <3