Christmas festivities

Our friend's annual Elf party, a lot of last minute sickness cancellations this year, here are the elves that were there, growing up!

Went to a Nativity play and outdoor activities with my parents.

Took my kids to a ornament craft making event at the library. 

Holding my baby niece Rose at my parent's Christmas choir concert.

August at school (it was pizza and pajamas day)

It was my turn to work Christmas this year, so I worked my weekend Saturday, Sunday, and then Christmas. I missed my family, but we had potlucks everyday with my co-workers, and saw Doug's family on Friday and my family on Tuesday, so it was kind of interesting to spread it out like that. 

Christmas songs on the piano

August had 2+ weeks off school, and we took a break from Jeanie's homeschool program too, and have been having lots of free play at home, library books, sorting old and new toys (my job!), and playdates and it's been a nice break. 

Nativity

 I'd been eyeing some Nativity sets on Etsy. The cutest little handpainted peg sets. However, I started to think they'd be too chewed on and $50 was more than I wanted to spend. 

Then I stumbled upon this set at Walmart when I was getting wrapping paper. 

The girls, especially Jeanie, played with it for hours the first day. "Mom, mom, it's Mary and Jo-fess!!!" For $16 I guess I didn't really notice the wise men were like several heads taller than Mary and Joseph. And who cares the sheep really looks more like a dog. And that baby Jesus has a little hot dog body when he gets pulled from his swaddling cloths. 

But this part does make me laugh:

It's more like Abraham and Sarai instead of Mary and Joseph :) 

You guys couldn't find anymore brown yarn, had to use gray!?!

Christmas celebrations

This year I had to work Christmas, and the 2 days following so we celebrated early. 

First a Christmas dinner at my parents with my sister and her husband. 

Christmas Eve day we had Doug's parents over for lunch and presents.

Mama got her her first doll. And she ended up loving this Feliz Navidad singing and dancing cactus that was from G & G V to big brother.

Hoping this helps to jump some of his jiggles out!

Christmas Eve we went to the traditional church service at my parent's church. It was nice. It ended up being very healing for me as well, as this summer I had written a letter to someone that I had wronged as a teenager, and I saw her after service and we talked a bit. I asked, "did you get my letter? I'm sorry" and she said "you are forgiven!" It was one of those things where I could've just let it lie, but I had felt the Holy Spirit prompting me, so I had to obey! It is really an amazing feeling to be on the receiving end of grace and forgiveness. It is very humbling. 

The next day was Christmas and I had a pretty slow day at work. 

The next 2 days I was supposed to work, but it's been so slow at the hospital I actually got called off both days!

So Saturday we went over to Doug's parents to sled in their yard and see his brother. 

snowball fight shield 

She liked being held by grandpa more than sledding.

Sunday we went to church and had a pretty relaxing low-key day. Doug saw a movie with his brother and my parents came over for dinner (after they had also seen the same movie!) And now it's back to reality :) But it was a very nice break and wonderful to have those extra days with my family. 

Christmas

Some pics from our Christmas festivities

Elves at the annual Elf party (Jeanie's face, lol!)

Doug and I went on a date to see Mannheim Steamroller, it was awesome I loved it. Bought a new dress. Fun date night. We almost never go on dates and this month we had 3!

Christmas:

Got Doug some kangaroo runner shoes for Christmas, I hope he has fun and doesn't break anything!

That evening we had my parents and sister and brother-in-law over for dinner and games after the kids went down.

Thanks for making my new hat Aunt Elizabeth!

We played this new game Quelf, it was crazy and pretty fun.

The next day made a gingerbread house with August, aka spent the entire time trying to keep him from eating all the toppings.

And in the evening we had dinner at Doug's parents with his brother. It was a very nice Christmas!

baby's first Christmas

Both of my siblings and their kids have been in town for the holidays and it was great for August to meet his aunts, uncles and cousins!

We spent Christmas eve with my parents and went to the candlelight service, next morning opened presents and had a nice meal together, and then in the evening went and had another nice dinner and opened more gifts with Doug's parents. August got lots of stuff!

Pictures from our family time:

with my niece Elliana

mani/pedi for Molina

Christmas outfits

friends with sons

Dad friends with sons

siblings with spouses

siblings

cousins!

he was more excited to gnaw on his fists than for his presents

he's our best present this year!

love this little man