First: Sparkles and Sprinkles!

A few warnings: 

1)  This post is very long . . . I felt the need to start with Christmas Prep, because I am pretty sure that it took us 25 whole days to get ready for Christmas, and we were still up until the wee hours wrapping! 

2)  Please excuse my lack of blogging . . . I have been with my family and loving the time with my little chickens

3)  I have not even glanced at pictures from Christmas (much less downloaded them) so hold on to your hats . . .

This year, we did our decorating in stages . . . it was either that, or lose our cute little minds, so step by step is how we went!

After picking out the tree one day, we brought it inside the next day . . . I feel pretty certain that the boys thought that having a big tree full of STICKS in our house was astounding!  William kept screaming “TOWER!” . . . close enough! 

Helpin’ Daddy put the tree in the base

Please note the screw in Hudson’s hand.  Do not try to help Daddy unless you come prepared!

The next night, we did the lights . . . this is the only picture I have to show for it!  We strapped the boys in their high chairs and they watched wide-eyed as Daddy made the tree sparkle!

Then, the decorating officially began (the next night!)

Our snoozing decorator . . .

Mommy and Anna worked hard during the brothers’ naptime

We also pulled out the boys’ favorite Christmas Toy . . . Our Little People Nativity which, yes, comes complete with a cat who appears to have attended the Birth of our Lord.  We happen to be missing Mary, but no one seemed to notice . . . And, we tried to read the Christmas Story out of their Children’s Bible at night.  The boys are THRILLED to celebrate Jesus’ Birthday . . . and they are simultaneously concerned about Jesus not having a bed . . . it is so sweet to see what they learn and understand, and we are just thrilled that they are learning more and more about Jesus’ birth!

We all agree that the Shepherds keep watch of their flock from their post atop the palm tree . . .

To continue my family tradition of many, many years, we headed to the museum to see Santa and torture our small children in the name of Christmas . . . while we were there, we stumbled upon two precious snowmen . . .  

and, an adorable reindeer!

 

The tiniest loves!

Don’t our boys look alike here?  They love their Bumps!

WAAH!

Bumpa reminded Santa that we received a very special Christmas present this October!

And, with that, the baking and parties began!  We made cakes and cookies as a family for our church’s neighborhood Christmas party . . . birthday cakes to help other people celebrate Jesus’ birthday!

And, the baking continued . . . 

And continued . . . Sugar, anyone?  

double sprinkles . . .

  Why eat one cookie when you can have two? Anna got some special love from her Great Granddaddy—I love this! Anna with the Grans! And . . . MORE SUGAR! 

   

LOVING on Uncle J! our sleeping sweet one . . . 

And . . . gingerbread houses!  The perfect combination of SNACKS and CRAFTS!  

I love this picture of our little architect!

This one ate the entire bowl of pretzel sticks in lieu of using them for decorating!  I love his guilty look!

Mommy’s presents from preschool this year . . .  And, we rounded out the Christmas prep with a special visitor . . . William saw him first and we noticed him staring and staring out the window . . . then we saw him!  “Santa, AT MY WINDOW, MOMMY!  OVER DERE!”

Seeing Santa made Mommy laugh . . . it reminded her of that “goofy santa” who used to peer in her window as a little girl!  And, the boys’ simultaneous fascination and fear was hilarious!  (“Santa right dere, Mommy!  I sit Mommy’s lap!”) Oh, the wonder . . .

Lots and lots of prep and celebrating helped us get ready for a very sweet celebration of Jesus’ Birthday! 

More to come, of course . . .