Bethlehem Inn

This year our church did a Christmas dinner theater called, "Bethlehem Inn." It started in our fellowship hall. While you ate your food you got to watch the family who owned the Inn talk about the arrival of Joseph & Mary. It was very light hearted and funny.

Then at the end of the drama the cast led us to the stable, located in our Sanctuary, where our choir presented Jesus' birth through song. This year the kids choir Grace and Faith are in were a part of the music. They got to wear costumes, although Faith was very disappointed that she didn't get to be Mary.





A funny story about Grace and their Kids Choir music. We listened to their cd constantly in the car. One day Grace requested the "Crocodile Angels Sing." I was so confused. However, I figured out she was referring to "Hark the Herald Angels Sing." Her and Faith still refer to the crocodile angels.

December= Food Fun

If I didn't blog in December it was partially because I was too busy cooking/baking/candy making. We spent some quality time before Christmas making, sharing, & eating food. Probably the biggest project was an Exam Snacks night our small group hosted for one of the girl's dorms at our local college. I spent an entire week making goodies and dips for that. It was a fun way to encourage them and get some of those Christmas treats out of my house before I ate them!

We also made trains for preschool for "L" week with the book, "The Little Engine That Could."

For the Preschool Christmas Party we made mangers complete with a baby Jesus cookie. :)

Another one of our bigger cooking projects was to make homemade pizzas for all of the kids' Sunday School teachers. We had fun delivering them as a family. (Minus the fact we discovered the transmission was now going out on our "new" van...emergency fund here we came!)
I also made 19 dozen (228!) cupcakes in a period of 3 days for my Sweet 2 the Soul business. My oven definitely earned its keep in December.

First Snow

Well, when I took these "First" snow pictures I had no idea they'd be such a rare sight in this crazy mild winter we've been having.

My kids were VERY excited to wake up to snow and so we decided to seize the excitement and walk Grace to school.

Titus after walking to school. We had yet to get his hat & glove set to go with his coat. This hat is for next year and he had to wear my gloves...
When we came home from walking Grace to school the only tracks on our street were our family's footprints. I loved the visual image...and while I ran in to get my camera my neighbor backed our of her driveway. Oh, well...

After school Grace & Faith got all bundled up to go outside and play.

I love how having little ones in the house reminds you to enjoy life. So many people are bummed by the snow, complain about it, etc. But when you see your kids light up and squeal with excitement you can't help but join in the fun!

Disney On Ice

The girls were excited to get to go see Disney on Ice with Nana again. I was surprised how much they remembered from when we went two years ago. I was simply thankful to navigate the driving, parking, walking, and stairs without being quite pregnant. :)

The first half of our show included The Incredibles, Alice in Wonderland, & Peter Pan. The girls haven't actually seen any of these movies, but they enjoyed it none the less.

The second half of the show included The Lion King, Snow White, Alladin, The Little Mermaid, Rappunzel, Tienna, & a finale with all the princesses.


The girls' favorite part by far was the song from Rappunzel. I think they were a bit sad they didn't do more of this movie's storyline as its their favorite.

This part was pretty neat when the lit the lanterns.
I love taking the girls to do things I remember loving as a child. I still remember going to see Beauty and the Beast on Ice when I was little. (And my sister's stubborn stand to convince my mom to buy her a Chippy cup, which she still has.) So, I used some Birthday money to let the girls pick out these princess cups.

Hoping to make more Disney on Ice memories over the years.

2nd Annual HCC Auction

My brother, Cody, and his wife, Erin, had their 2nd cattle auction. Once again it was a big success. The kids enjoy running around, seeing the cows, and being part of this special day.

As you can see its a family affair.

All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth.

On November 28th we saw in more than one way our "baby" is growing up quickly. Grace's tooth had been loose for quite awhile. We had been content to let her wiggle away whenever she felt like it and just sit back and wait. But that night Jeremy looked in her mouth to check on her progress and noticed her new big kid tooth was through and coming up quickly behind it. We explained to Grace that meant it was time to get serious and serve that baby tooth an eviction notice. She had been very hesitant to let us touch it. She went to the mirror and to Jeremy's surprise she yanked it right out! He was quite shocked at her brave and bold move. I wasn't quite as surprised. Grace is like me, if she is going to experience pain then she wants to be in control of it. She was however shocked with the fact that her mouth started bleeding so much.

She can't quit looking in the mirror long enough for a picture. (or keep her tongue out of that new empty space)
It was really fun watching her navigate this big kid "first." She had a grand old time sharing her special news with anyone who would listen. Although she didn't get to sport an empty spot for long at all as the permanent tooth took its spot pronto. We are now awaiting her second bottom front tooth to join the party as its very loose as well.
(I apologize for the less than great pics of her tooth...my camera was having problems in December and wouldn't focus. :(

A Purple Christmas Tree

Last year I REALLY wanted to buy my girls a pink or purple Christmas tree for their room. However, I just couldn't bring myself to spend the money. But, I was ecstatic when Aunt Jo Jo and Gramy found a purple one in the after Christmas clearance. We had lots of fun decking it out with a few sparkly pink ornaments I picked up on clearance and the handmade ones the girls made on Thanksgiving with Nana.

Jumping for Joy


The "Ta Da" moment.
God continues to reaffirm the truth that he loves to give good gifts to his children by providing even the unnecessary "little things" to bless my children. Already dreaming of a truck themed one next year for Titus after seeing my Aunt's Caterpillar themed tree.