December Odds 'N Ends

headed in to see big brother play his trumpet in concert
{he's the soloist about 17sec in}

another family tradition is to get in our pj's, grab a blanket, swing through the DQ drive-thru and drive around to check out neighborhood Christmas displays

these two were early getting ready and camped out in the hall eager to get going

added this pic just to prove our second was with us but just a bit grumpy that night. the oreo blizzard pepped him up real quick however.

we weren't expecting to get this lucky and even went back a second night to see this house!

this was our second helping to serve dinner during the church Christmas musical. i was nervous, but neither brother dropped anything and they are psyched to do it again next year!

and then here's our First Lady singing her part during the musical. unfortunately i was taking the video and it's blurry:( you can still hear her sing though!

this concludes our December, stay tuned for a Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve

milk and cookies for santa is not the only Christmas Eve tradition in this house. Before we get to bed we make sure we find the pickles in the tree. Each kiddo has a hidden pickle to find which allows them to open one gift if they find it.

every year, this one is the last to find a pickle





still looking
ah-ha!
texting someone that he found the pickle. sheesh.
and every year they pretend to forget that it's new jammies they will open.
and a certain someone every year is so excited he changes into them right there under the tree.
i love this picture! peeking outside to catch a glimpse of santa.
another tradition is throwing corn out for the reindeer.
luckily it wasn't so cold this year

So this was Christmas morning on the steps.
and this, well, this was the excitement of seeing what was left under the tree overnight.

yikes. the elves must've been pretty tired when they wrapped this. i don't think the boys noticed
the following is simply fun and frenzy!

truly the best part of Christmas

is celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus

and gathering as a family to sing happy birthday to Him.

we hope you enjoyed spending time with your family

this Christmas season and wish you a healthy and happy New Year.

"the very purpose of Christ's coming into the world,

was that He might offer up His life as a sacrifice for the sins of men.

He came to die. This is the heart of Christmas." - Rev. Billy Graham