12.13.2014

this Christmas...


we've spent too much time here


we completed our operation christmas child mission


carter fell in love...


...with this "cute little fella"


and it was love at first sight for this girl


candy cane night at awana was EXCITING


we froze our boo-tays off at this fun christmas parade...brrr


lots of christmas movies have been watched and lots of christmas cookies have been eaten


we journeyed to bethlehem



we've also eaten a lot of pizza


especially, when kids eat free


how's your christmas going?
crazy?
busy?
fun?
all of the above?

12.10.2014

our merry & bright home

this year, i wanted to change things up a bit by adding some more color.  i had bigger plans than i was actually able to accomplish, but there is always next year.  right?



the kiddos made this fabulous gingerbread house with grandma and grandpa and have already eaten most of the candy off of it and part of the roof!


our frig is decked out with lots of christmas cards from some of our favorite peeps!


an oldie, but a goodie!


love this poinsettia...it's pink! ish.


our mantle got more color this year with star glitter ornaments on a silver tinsel tree and my mawmaw's colored lights!


some of our favorite Christmas stories sit out for easy access.



the stockings are hung and waiting to be filled!


this sweet nativity welcomes us every day as it sits in our entry way.


our ledge holds all of our santa pics.


this nativity gets played with daily and never actually looks so perfect.  it has had many visitors...including spiderman, snowmen, lightning mcqueen, and flash.  also, baby Jesus is usually on the roof.


our tree...i really do love it this year with all it's imperfections and construction paper and foam ornaments!!!





us.


we've been slacking on our little Christmas sock advent.  but, we did get this book and we've been using it for family devotions.  it's a little over their heads, but we are making it work for us.


a glitter reindeer, vintage bulbs, and the most amazing candle out of all the candles in the world...volcano by capri blue.  you're welcome.


and this guy.


and that's our merry and bright home!!!

12.08.2014

our visit with Santa


of course, these kiddos were super excited to visit with Santa!


they both sat in his lap with no problems and when Santa asked what they wanted for Christmas...Carter said, "a Barbie!"  Grace laughed a big and nervous laugh...because a Barbie!?!  seriously???  you don't joke about stuff like that.  you will get a Barbie from Santa!


Grace nervously asked for art supplies.  then, Santa asked for something!


he would like this little artist to draw a picture for him and leave it beside his milk and cookies.  she agreed and went straight to work on her masterpiece as soon as she got home!


12.07.2014

a north pole breakfast


we welcomed jingle, our elf, back to our home this christmas season with our annual north pole breakfast.



as usual, the breakfast contained a sugar overload.


hi-ya, jingle!



jingle's notes are so special to this girl.



jingle brought a couple of christmas books and some elf chapstick for the kiddos.




this is such a fun way to start off the christmas season and the kids love it!




we are super excited to have jingle back, especially when he brings donuts!!!