Loving Mamahood

What we were up to in December...

What we were up to in December...

Looking for that perfect "Grizwald" Christmas Tree

Thankful for our friends in Auburn that let us hunt for a Cedar Tree on their farm...

"Dad, did you bring a saw?"

The tree. FYI...it was a very warm Dec 1st which is why there are no hats or coats...

"It's not going in our yard Russ, it's going in our living room."

A tuckered out boy...

our sort of decorated tree. We ended up just decorating it with all of Hannah's homemade ornaments and all of our Christmas cards we received...

And to end the night...hot chocolate and "Polar Express" movie...

This and that leading up to Christmas...

We used the "Truth in the Tinsel" E book that I downloaded to keep us focused on Jesus during such a busy season. Several of my friends recommended it, and I would highly recommend it. It is easily adapted for all ages and gives great ideas for conversation starters for all ages. It can also be as detailed as you want with things to do and ornaments to make for every day in December, or easily simplified depending on how much time your family has or the attention of your little one. We ended up doing a a couple of ornaments a week picking the ones that tell the basics of Jesus's birth. We did a candle ornament because Jesus is the light, a crown ornament because Jesus is the king of kings, an angel ornament for Gabriel telling Mary about Jesus, a Mary and Joseph ornament, and Jesus in the manger. We were going to do a shepherd and wise men, but ran out of time, so we just did coloring sheets instead.

"Helping" wrap presents...

Making birthday cupcakes for Jesus...Funfetti style...

Sickness hit our house around December 9th and didn't leave until Christmas day, so we didn't get to travel to Springfield like we normally do the weekend before Christmas. We missed going to my dad's and the Carney Christmas. But we were thankful for the Christmas traditions we did get to enjoy and more than anything, we are thankful for God in the flesh, who was born on Christmas day. Our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Our family Christmas...

We started the morning with my traditional gingerbread pancakes, then Bryan read the Christmas story out of Luke. We went to opening presents, playtime and nap time. We munched on spinach dip and bars of goodness throughout the day and then we had meatloaf for supper. Then more playtime!

We started with stockings...Derrick got a big elephant, a slinky, a toy story activity book and a 2012 rubix cube. Hannah got some hello kitty panties, hello kitty stickers, hello kitty notebook, a slinky and a 2012 rubix cube.

Hannah opening her "Very Hungry Caterpillar" book that Derrick got her...

Derrick got an old MacDonald puppet book from Hannah...

Old MacDonald...

The slinky's were the stocking hit...

Then it was off to the two big presents...

A big red wagon!

Derrick was infatuated with the handle and wheels...

And a Kitchen! Woo hoo!

Cooking up something good...

Derrick having slinky fun...

Even all our friends got a ride...can't wait til' it's a little warmer and all the runny noses are gone so we can ride outside...

Pick a boo!

Bryan got some new arrows for his bow from me, even though they weren't under the tree...he has to pick those out himself. I got a "mommy moment box" from Bryan and the kids. Maybe my favorite gift of all time. It was a little pink treasure box that had little pieces of paper with things written on them like foot massage and 5 minutes of timeout for mommy. It also had a Starbucks gift card in it and I ended up putting my sun suite salon gift cards that my mother-in-law and Bryan's grandmother got me. Can't wait to dip into my goodies!

Christmas at Papaw and Grandma Keene's

We arrived for an awesome breakfast...I think Linda's cheese danish was the favorite, then went to the Bible story, presents and play, play, play!

Papaw reading the Christmas story out of Luke...

Listening to the story...

Grandma reading the story of the candy cane...

Team work!

Christmas with Grandmama...
Everyone came to our house for breakfast, we read the Christmas story, danced, laughed, opened presents, played games, watched movies...lots of family fun! We had lots of munchies throughout the day and then had Chili, chicken salad and pimento cheese for supper.