After our visitors headed home, we got ready for Christmas Eve church service. This is one of my favorite things about Christmas! There is nothing quite like sitting in church (kids in tow) worshiping and reflecting on the birth of our Savior! This year, our family was asked to lead the Advent moment during one of the services. We lead the congregation in a scripture reading, reflection and a prayer. Ethan was determined to read a portion and he did amazing! And Nora was so good on stage as well. She stood still and quiet just like she said she would :). (Atley was in the nursery during service)
Scripture reading
On the big screen!
Our annual family Christmas Eve photo after church.
So blessed to call these 3 ours!
After church, we headed home for some dinner and fun Christmas traditions :)!
First up: Reindeer food!
Sprinkling it out on the yard
Nice form, Ethan!
Cute kids :)
The kids each got an ornament that represented something from the past year and they hung them on the tree.
Nora got a gymnast on a balance beam since she took tumbling for the first time this year.
Ethan got a football ornament. He loved his first season of flag football this summer!
Atley got a soft angel because she is the sweetest little angel ;)! (And I couldn't find a dog ornament I liked since she barks anytime she sees something resembling a dog!)
3 excited kids ready for bed on Christmas Eve!!
Chocolate milk and hand decorated cookies for Santa!
The kids and I made some yummy cookies for Santa on Ethan's first full day of Christmas break! I forgot to take an after photo of the final product, but trust me, they were very delicious and full of sprinkles :)!!
Cookie cutting!
Ethan's turn
Now time for the icing and sprinkles
Cute kids making Christmas memories (Atley was napping, but she could enjoy a bite or 2 of the finished product!)
We had a great Christmas Eve! Grandpa, Grandma Karen, Dustin and Amanda came up to our house for our family Christmas. We had soup and snacks, presents and a lot of fun!
Atley and Mama
Ethan- playing some games on Grandma Karen's phone
I had the privilege to attend 2 Christmas class parties on the same day (December 21)! Nora was first, then Ethan! I feel so blessed to be able to be involved in my kids classrooms! It was a busy and fun day! Enjoy a few pictures from each party!
Santa made a visit to Nora's party! Nora's preschool class with Santa :
Playing Pin the Nose on Rudolph! (made by her father and I)
Cute girl!
Atley and Nora chatted with Santa!
Cupcake decorating time
Photo Booth fun!
Story time with Mrs. Ryan
I helped out with Ethan's class party a little more, so I don't have as many pictures from his.
I snapped a picture of Ethan's "Tacky Holiday Sweater" he made in class
Ethan had his 1st grade Christmas program last week. He did great! Grandpa and Grandma Karen came up for the performance. The place was packed and we weren't there an hour early! But we could see all we needed to see! They asked the students to wear "winter clothes" for the performance.
He's ready to go!
Nora and Grandpa
Ethan had a speaking part! He knew his words!
Where's Ethan?? :)
Great job, Ethan!
The kids with Grandma & Grandpa
Here's a video of Ethan and his favorite song from the night :)!
Nora's Christmas program was also last week. She had to miss it though :(. She had been sick and I didn't want to chance it. But she was feeling good enough to put on a performance in the living room! We even FaceTimed with Grandma Terri and Pop for her songs :)!
Happy Angel
I'm glad I picked up her costume early! She was excited to put it on!
We spent Thanksgiving with family in Salem. It was a great weekend and we ate a ton of food! We started the feasting with Jared's family at his Aunt Doss and Uncle Ed's house for lunch and finished with dinner at the Puricelli's house.
Yummy!!
Jared, the turkey carving master!
Sweet Nora girl, enjoying her food
Puricelli Thanksgiving
Atley started really walking while we were in Salem. She still chooses to crawl the majority of the time, but can walk across the room if she wants to. I'm working on getting a better video :).
While we were in Salem, we met up with Sara and Jason and their sweet twins, Mary Charlotte & Elizabeth. We even got lunch at Chicos with them (minus the 5 kids)!
Atley and Ethan riding in the cozy coupe
Ethan and Elizabeth- saying goodbye
The best shot we got ;)
These pictures make me laugh! Thanks for a great visit, Sara and Jason! Can't wait until next time.
