Christmas #2

We celebrated Christmas #2 with MeMaw at our house.  Normally, we go to either Livingston or Estes Park for Christmas Eve, but because Connor's choir sang at our church and our family was the wise ones at our Christmas Eve service, we decided to stay here.  Here we are at church:

 The kids and I made a tray for Santa's snacks.  They helped me unwrap all of these peppermints, then we put them in the oven...

 And out came a peppermint tray!

 MeMaw and the boys baked and decorated cookies for Santa.

 Then before heading to bed, we sprinkled reindeer food in the front yard.

 

 Growing up, each year on Christmas Eve, my brother and cousins and I used to stand in front of my grandparents Christmas tree, in our pj's, and sing Christmas carols.  So carrying on the family tradition...

http://youtu.be/pTc3x4-Dp6I

 

 Unfortunately, this is the one and only picture I got Christmas morning!!! Reid was showing off his dinosaur hat.  Santa brought them a remote control snake and a fish tank complete with 2 orange fish.  Their stocking was stuffed full of all sorts of fun boy things!!

 

 The boys love doing puzzles and are SO good at them.  Here is a 50 piece floor puzzle that Nanny sent the boys.  There is no picture to go by, but Reid can easily put this together in no time. 

Up Next: Round 3

Christmas #1

We were lucky enough to celebrate Christmas 4 times this year!  First up, Christmas with Paw Paw and Michaela.

Hanging of the Greens

On the first Sunday of Advent our church has Hanging of the Greens.  This is a tradition of decorating the sanctuary with wreaths, garlands, a Christmas tree, and evergreens for Advent and Christmas. It readies the sanctuary (and church members) for the season, and is usually youth led or involves the children of the church.  As a youth in my church growing up, I used to participate in this, so it's fun to watch the next generation.  Connor's choir sang a song and Mimi came to town to see him perform.  

At the end of the service, everyone is invited one by one to hang an ornament on the tree. 

Josh lifted Connor to hang his ornament up high!

 It comes in handy to have a daddy who is 6'4"

 Look up high.  Now it's Reid's turn!

It was a wonderful program which definitely got us excited for Christmas!

Happy New Year!

Before I get into all the FUN we had at Christmas, here are some random photos to start off the new year.

Reid sat in Connor's lap as he read to him.

 Fun times with Papa Jud and Mimi.

 They built a gingerbread train and did a great job!

 Connor planted apple seeds, and would you believe two days later there was an apple in the dirt!  I love his expression; shocked and excited!!

 Dr. Settlemeyer and his assistant.

 Connor's teacher always has wonderful comments about him! I'm a proud momma! :)

 BAYLOR!! We had another fun season and enjoyed cheering them on this year!

 Connor had an advent calendar from school that we'd put a sticker on each day (until Reid got into the stickers...)

 They boys got to decorate and eat cookies at the YMCA.

 While Connor was at choir practice, Reid and I had a date at Chick-fil-a!

Happy 2013!!!