Advent!

Wow we have had a very crazy year it seems, and this blog has suffered because of it. I really don't want to get into the details here. I do want to say though that God has really been teaching me some hard things this year and I hope that I am actually learning them. I'm hoping 2013 will be a bit calmer and I can get to blogging a bit more. Today I just wanted to share some of the things we were able to do for Advent this year. Since I am posting the entire month all at once I think I will go ahead and put up a slideshow. Once again we used our wooden Advent calendar and had daily activities planned. I tried to take pictures of all of them but I did miss a few things. It seemed this December our kids really got to learn about and practice giving. The pictures aren't in any particular order and include all sort of things i.e. baking, frosting, light parades, Advent wreath time, live Nativity, making bracelets for Wally, St. Nicholas Day, my birthday, etc.Some of the things that I forgot to take pictures of were an Angel Tree lunch that we helped at, Drive Through light display, Getting warm things to donate to a local place that helps the homeless, etc.

Christmas 2011!

Wow I can't believe Christmas 2011 is pretty much over! We had a wonderful Christmas weekend, but this week is basically a blur. I have been sick since Monday night and so far two of the kids have been sick too. I'm really hoping that we are able to have a good New Years weekend! Anyways I wanted to share with you some pictures of our Christmas!

Last Thursday we had some fun learning about Hanukkah!

 

My husband is the champion Dreidel spinner!

On Friday the kids were in charge of Dinner, and dessert! They made pizza and cupcakes!

 

They put on a wonderful Nativity performance for us! I told them earlier in the month that they would do one on the 23rd and that they had to plan it all themselves. Buster was quite the little director. Mary!  

I forgot to take a picture of Sweetpea as the angel. 

After the performance they each sang a song for us. Sweetpea has been practicing The Christmas Shoes all month(she loves that song), and she completely floored us by singing the entire song all on her own without any music. It was beautiful and it brought tears to my eyes! After the performance we drug out a couple of the kids mattresses, and they got to sleep in the living room. We watched the Nativity Story and the Grinch Who Stole Christmas!

 

Christmas Eve was spent at my mom's house. 

Christmas Crown from the crackers! 

 

Present time!

 

After we left there we went to my Sister in laws house for a bit. My husbands cousin sewed these dresses for the girls! Sweetpea with cousin S, and M! Unfortunately Buttercup was hiding behind the tree.  

Christmas morning we got up bright and early.  

I searched high and low for this music box! 

 

Baby Jesus makes his appearance!

 

The girls got some new ornaments. 

 

Waiting at church for Buster's play.

 

The play was super! 

 

After church it was on to my in-laws house!

 

Christmas story with Moogy.

Advent week 3/4!

6 ‘ But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;

For out of you shall come a Ruler

Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

Matthew 2:6

The Advent season is coming to a close, and we are drawing very near to Christmas! I hope that you are all able to spend time with loved ones and makes some memories! We had a beautiful weekend full of lights, and this week we have been blessed to be able to bless others, through Angel Tree and Caroling. We went Caroling on Monday evening and the kids loved it. they can't wait until next year! It was such a blessing to see them filled with joy to spread the message of Christ's love and to hand out some packets! Here are some pictures of things we have done!

The kids put on a Christmas Parade for us! This was completely their own idea.

The girls turned our candy canes into hearts! Once again this was their own idea.

What a beautiful way to symbolize Love!

My husband cut out some wooden ornaments, and the kids painted them! Buddy was very precise with his.

We put on a shadow puppet show of the Nativity! Daddy read from Luke and Matthew and I moved the puppets. I had never done anything like this before, but I think it will become a new tradition.

The kids did one for us afterward!

We drove to the coast for some Christmas lights!

 

It was the most perfect of nights! Not too cold, and not wet.
After enjoying the lights we walked up to the ocean in the dark. It was so amazing to be able to see the power of the waves by moon light and to see all the stars. It has been awhile since I have see so many stars without any light to drown them out.

The boys trying to bunk together.

 

The next night we went to a light parade! It turned out that the best part was watching two groups of deer spontaneously leap down the center of the street while we were waiting! God's creation is a wonder. Buttercup also caught a teddy bear that was thrown from a fire truck. She has been carrying it around ever since!

On Sunday we went to a Safari for some lights and fun! The kids got to make houses.

And we saw a little animal show!

 

Yesterday we went to my sister's house and made these candy Nativity's! I found the idea on Pinterest, and I loved it!

 Buddy's

 

 Buttercup's

 

Sweetpea's

 

Buster's

 

Yummy!

 

Three more days!

 

 The time is drawing near!

 

 Right now we are just finishing up a few things for Christmas and will do a little baking. Tomorrow the kids will do a Christmas performance for Mommy and Daddy, and then we have plans to bring out their mattresses and watch the Nativity Story together on Friday night. It is so nice having Christmas on Sunday this year. We will have a Celebration at my parents house on Christmas Eve starting at 1, and still have time in the evening to draw close and remember Christ's gift of love. On Sunday morning after our gifts are opened we will be going to church and Buster is going to be in the Christmas play. For lunch we will visit my in-laws!

Merry Christmas!

 

"Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 “ Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Luke 2:10-14