Ringing in the New Year

 We had so much fun ringing in the new year. We celebrated at Grammy and Pops' house with all sorts of activities and yummy food. We started off the night making 2013 posters. The kids had a blast and spent lots of time on them. In the picture below you can see the paper sacks with different times on them that contained the activity for that time. 

 After posters we each decorated our own sparkling juice/champagne glass. Also a big hit with the kids (and adults!)

 Finished products!

Then chef Daddy began preparing for our yummy fish fry. Mom and dad had just gotten back from Galveston so they brought back some fresh shrimp. It was all delicious!

 Someone really enjoyed the sparkling white grape juice! 

Then we played Chicken Foot...

 And goofed off a little. 

 We also had our own ball drop. We lowered it about every 30 minutes from 7:00-11:00. The kids enjoyed it and I think it helped give them a concept of time for the evening. 

We had s'mores around 8:30 and then little man went to bed (pallet on Grammy and Pops' floor...he couldn't stay on the pillow!!). 

We played some games on the Wii U... 

 And then it was time for surprise balls! (little goodies wrapped in crepe paper into the shape of a ball-mine turned out more like eggs- and then unwrapped)

 After a few more ball drops it was time to celebrate the new year!! (East coast style of course!!)

  Happy New Year blog friends!!

Grayson's Pet

Grayson got this large,squishy triceratops for Christmas. "She" is now the newest member of our family. "Chia" is 2 years old and Grayson is her daddy. Guess that makes me her grandma. :) Love this sweet boy and his fantastic imagination!!

Christmas!

 Christmas morning we woke up to excitement and presents! Kenny's parents spent then night at our house so they were able to watch the kids open their presents. For the second year, we gave the kids 3 gifts-1 representing the gold the wise men brought Jesus, one for the myrrh and one for the frankincense.  They also gave each other a gift. Santa brought each kid one gift and filled our stockings. We are trying hard to be more intentional in our gift giving and cut down on all of the junk that can accumulate! Here are the kids showing off their "gold gift".

The kids with Lala and Grumpy before they headed back home. 

After a morning at home we headed to my dad's side of the family gathering. Here is a little bit of chaos that occurred as presents were opened...

After that gathering we went back to my mom and dad's and did our Christmas with them (after a quick family picture!)...

Grayson said "You got me a BOX??" He was so funny! It was actually a box FULL of dinosaurs!

  

Christmas Eve

 This was our first Christmas back "home" closer to our families. We took full advantage of that and were able to see both sets of grandparents and uncles and both sides of my extended family. What a blessing to be able to see everyone that we love over the few days of Christmas!!

Christmas Eve day we spent at my mom and dad's house with my mom's side of the family. I don't have any pictures (boo!) of the festivities but I do have some pictures of my cuties and the 5 of us. 

We left my parent's to head back to our house to get ready for the Christmas Eve candlelight service at our church. Kenny's parents, brother and his fiancee joined us for church and festivities at our house afterwards.

A little someone swiped some communion bread after worship while we were waiting on Kenny for a picture!

 Putting out reindeer food before bed!!

 Oops! All gone!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

 Even though it is in the 70's this week, we are still excited for Christmas to be here! (These pictures are all from November, so I am playing catch up!)

Our house sat empty for a number of years before we bought it, so we hired a chimney sweep to come out and give our fireplace a good cleaning and inspection. Once he deemed it ready to use we had our first fire. The kids loved it and it kept us very warm that night!

 We decorated the tree the week of Thanksgiving. Brayden declared that this ornament looked like a piece of bacon! :)

 Decorating the tree!

(Please don't be jealous of the pink curtains. They came with the house and I haven't found what I like to replace them...)

The kids all have little trees set up in their rooms. Kenny came up with a genius idea to use those capsules that turn into little sponges for Grayson's tree. Dinosaurs of course!!

 Making ornaments!