Christmas Eve Prep and Santa's Visit

Here John is decorating Jesus' birthday cake!Clara with the cakeThe finished product Santa came to visit late Christmas Eve and I snuck a picture of what all he brought!

My favorite thing was the Little People Nativity Set and he left the kids a note that said "John and Clara, So you can remember the true reason we celebrate today! Happy Birthday Jesus! Love, Santa Claus"

Christmas Eve

Each year we get to open one gift on Christmas Eve, here is the Christmas Eve festivities!

Yes, we had matching pjs this year! I bought them after Christmas last year and my hubby was nice enough to go along with my idea.

John with Santa's cookies, eggnog, and the reindeer's carrots!

John's Musical Debut

At our Christmas Eve service all of the children get to play the color-coded handbells. I seriously didn't know if John would even go up there let alone play the bells. I actually think he was quite proud of himself because at one point I moved spots to take pictures he was looking for me. Looking at the photo, he is to the left of the director about 2 1/2 people over. You can just see his head. Just to the left shoulder of the director here.

Just Having Fun

The kids with Daddy in his new chair. This was his birthday/Christmas present that he picked out. Playing so nicely!!

Crazy kids! Abe was looking at me like, "Please, help me out! Get them out of here." For the record, they did put themselves in there.

John decided he was going to take the doors off of the little kitchen. He said it was because he wanted to put it in a box for his sister for Christmas. Pretty sweet, huh? The funny thing is Burt took the doors off of his mom's kitchen cabinets when he was younger too.

How sweet are these two?

Playing with blocks!

Sweet happy girl!

Charlie Brown's ICE

Last year we were able to visit the Gaylord Opryland and enjoy the Grinch's ICE. This year they put on a new ice sculpture exhibit with Charlie Brown's ICE.

My Crazy Boy!

Family picture!

The slide room

John coming down the slide

Burt coming down

Lori coming down

Snoopy's award winning display

Me and my babes in front of the manger scene

Clara could barely walk in this big coat but she was so cute!

Santa Pictures

The kids actually had their pictures made twice with Santa. I take advantage of a free picture at the Bass Pro Shop for individual pictures and had their picture together at the mall. They are pretty much the same except for they had their actual Christmas outfits on the mall pictures. Yep, you can tell Clara was thrilled with Santa! She loves to see Santa's picture and say HoHoHo but when it comes to seeing the big guy she is not into that scenario!!

Merry Christmas!!

Oh, Christmas Tree

We once again went to a local tree farm to pick out our tree. John and Burt had to survey the trees first. Clara and I posing in front of the trees.John proud of the handsaw.

Taking a walk.

Posing in front of "our" tree.

Clara wanting to help daddy.

Clara playing in the nativity scene.

John on the top of Lollipop hill.

Clara hanging out with Abe during the decorating.

John getting ornaments ready.

Daddy putting the star on the top.

The semi-finished product. I have put more beads on since then and Clara has taken a number of ornaments and beads off. As well as we have had a number of ornaments break this year. Hmmm! Wonder who to blame for that Clara or Abe? Both!!!