Thursday, December 18, 2014

Christmas Fun

What a fun time of year, especially with a 2 year old!  I've been so careful about our schedule and commitments these last few weeks.  It would be so easy to be super busy and get caught up in all of the activities, which are great and all, but it's so important to me to slow down and enjoy this time with my family.  Everything has been so magical to Graham this year, and I love talking to him about Baby Jesus and his birthday!  We've had so much fun so far, and I can't believe Christmas is next week!

He LOVES looking at the awesome train display at church!



Looking with Nora one day after we left the gym!

My cute reindeer at Target!

My boys have worn lots of cute Christmas outfits and jammies!






Dear Santa, My brother did it! :)

Graham loves finding Elf's (so original on his name!) new hiding spot every morning!


Please note Mary perched atop a palm tree..

My personal favorite! :)


We had our 3rd annual Christmas dinner with some of our best friends!

Madison and Graham - just 5 days apart!

The big kids eating dinner!

Colton, Madison, Bennett, Ella, Luke, and Graham!
We missed sweet June who was home sick.

The kids drew names this year to exchange presents!

Love these girls!

We had a Christmas play date with our besties!
Decorating Christmas cookies was a huge hit!

Sweet Libby!

Grace and Graham just wanted to eat the icing by the spoonfuls! :)

Graham and Nora hard at work!


Ahhhh I love looking at our tree and the presents!

Our nativity scene that we add a piece to daily...Graham thought the cow needed a prominent position in the picture! :)

Reading LOTS of Christmas books!

 Last night I got to go see the Rockettes with these sweet friends!
The show was amazing, and it was such a fun girls' night out!


 And a fun play date with Grace today!

While Stephanie worked her magic and helped me make these awesome wreaths for our front doors!

We have a busy and fun weekend planned with a Christmas show at church and our family Christmas before we go out of town!

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Weekend Wrap-up: Just the 3 of us!

Our weekend started on Thursday when Trent left for a long weekend at the ranch to go hunting.  I was on my own with the boys for 4 whole days...we all survived and did great, but of course we were so excited to see Trent this evening when he got home! :)

 We did some Christmas shopping on Thursday morning!

 And we made M&M cookies after nap time.

 My little helper!  He kept saying, "Graham want to lick that!" 

 Just trying to make it through the 6 o'clock hour - Bennett's face says it all!

 On Friday we had a lunch date with Leah and sweet Ellie!

 Cute babies!

 And we made peanut butter cookies on Friday afternoon after nap time.  And Graham was so excited to deliver cookies to a few our of neighbors on Saturday!

 My taste tester!

 And sweet Bennett!

 G was my Friday night pizza date!
After the boys went to bed that night, I settled in on the couch addressing Christmas cards and watching Miracle on 34th Street - it was a nice, relaxing few hours to myself!

On Saturday morning we were up bright and early to beat the crowd at the mall.  We went to see Santa and to finish up some shopping!

 My little elf!

 First stop at the mall - Starbucks!

 Graham was so excited and all smiles while we were waiting in line!

 And then he does this!  He absolutely refused to smile!  Oh well, at least there weren't tears, I guess?!

 My kind of Saturday night - puzzles, playmat, and watching The Santa Clause!

We were up and going again early this morning to get to church on time!  It was my first Sunday to teach Graham's class, and we had to be out the door by 8:15.

Not only were we on time, but we even had time for a quick picture!  Cute boys ready for church - Bennett's first day in the nursery!

We came home for lunch and naps...

 "Nap time..."

And then Trent got home!  And not 30 minutes later I was sitting in the nice, big, massaging chair at the nail place enjoying a mani, pedi, and a glass of wine! :)
I think I deserved a little me time!

 This evening Trent and Graham made some sugar cookies for our play date tomorrow!

We have a busy and fun week ahead!  Happy Sunday!