First Snow

The first snow this year was on a Sunday. The kids were ready to go out and play the minute they saw the snow. So it was a great opportunity to talk about making going to church an important part of our lives. When we promised they could play when we got home they willingly put on their dresses. Jeremy took them out while I was getting lunch on the table. They enjoyed sledding in our backyard. Oh, the joys of living in Hannibal you can sled in your backyard. (everything is on a hill here)

Lately I have caught Faith with her tongue out in a lot of pictures. She sticks it out when she is climbing, running, etc.

Polar Express

One of our bigger Christmas activities this year was going to a Polar Express event at Wildlife Prairie Park. Gramy and Nana both came along for the fun. I was very thankful as I'm not sure I could have navigated this event without extra helpers. We started at an area with crafts & activities.

Here the kids are painting their own Christmas ornaments. A whole glass of paint water got spilt on my mom. She is such a trooper, she always ends up messy on our adventures. (Remember when the goats climbed up her jeans at Grant's farm?)
A skunk came out and opened a "gift" of food. Titus was pretty curious to watch.
When it was time for our train to depart we went to an area and listened to the beginning of the book. Then we got on a tram to take us to the train. While on the train we listened to some of the audio from the movie including the Hot Chocolate Song, Grace's favorite.



After we arrived at the North Pole we took another tram to pony rides. The girls loved this. Titus didn't take a ride, he stayed with Nana.
Faith's pony ride.
Jessica, Carter, & Ellee also came with us. Here is their pony ride.
Grace's pony ride.
Gramy with the kids waiting to see Santa.
Grace & Carter love seeing each other. They think they are cousins.
Such a long wait to see Santa.....


Grace tells Santa she wants a scooter and Faith tells him she wants a bike.
After the long wait they had a quick cookie & hot chocolate before checking out this blow up slide.
Titus' was very ready to get down and check things out at this point.

It was such a fun night for the kids, which made the 6 hours of driving worth it. (although I wouldn't drive it all again without stopping at a grandmas house)

Birthday Party for Jesus

This year we hosted a Birthday Party for Jesus at our house for our play group friends. First we hunted for puzzle pieces to a nativity puzzle. Then we opened up gifts that told the story of baby Jesus' birth.

We also played a version of pin the tail on the donkey, the kids attempted to put baby Jesus in the manger. We had a pretty young crowd so we basically just let each child come put their baby in the manager. A few of the older kids did try it with a blindfold.
Red Velvet cupcakes- yummy! One of the more exciting moments of the party was when Logan knocked over the Christmas tree. His mommy was helping me with Titus.
Each child got their own candle to blow out as we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.
Grace got her own special white cupcake.
All the kids eating in our playroom.
Each child got to take home some peppermint play dough with a Christmas shaped cookie cutter. Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!