Christmas # 3

On Christmas morning, after opening up and playing with our new presents, we hopped in the car and headed to College Station to meet up with our cousins!  The boys had SOOOO much fun!!  I just love watching them play together.  Here is the foursome:

 Denton helping Reid open his gifts.

 There was a lot of wrestling going on!

 Mimi played Christmas carols with the help of Connor, Sam and Reid.

We can't go to the farm without feeding the cows and horses!

 A serious conversation taking place.

 Everyone in their pj's, but still full of energy!!

 Monkey See...Monkey Do!

 Add in the newest addition--- a GIRL!!!  Clair's going to be tough to put up with this crew!

We can't wait to all get together again in March for Colton's wedding!

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!