Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was so much fun!  3 young kids make Christmas morning magical!  Ethan and Nora came to our room around 7 and Atley snoozed for another 45 minutes or so until I decided she needed to wake up :)!  They were all so happy and excited to see that Santa had come and check out all their goodies!

Christmas morning selfie (from those of us who were awake)

Stocking time with E and N

Atley found her ball pit!  And loves it :)!

Nora loves her microphone and she loves to perform!

And Ethan loves his Star Wars Nerf Crossbow

3 happy kids in the ball pit!

Christmas Eve: Night

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!

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!)

Christmas Eve: Day

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

Atley, helping him

Checking out the presents

Looking for all the "Nora" ones :)

Finally it't time to open!

Grandpa and Nora

Chef Nora and Grandma Karen

Daddy and the girls- opening some gifts

Merry Christmas from the whole Collier family!

Silly picture with Grandma and Grandpa!

Christmas Class Parties

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

M&M Bingo

Ethan took some selfies on my phone :)

Photo Booth fun

Such a fun day!

Christmas Programs

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!

Enjoy her 3 songs! (Each video is quite short)