Christmas Eve

 

 Christmas Eve we enjoyed the candlelight service at church. It is always such a sweet and beautiful time. Emma insisted she hold her own candle and Caleb was excited to know several of the songs.  Afterwards we joined the Bernets for supper and decorating cookies.

 The angels, gingerbread men, and Christmas trees were quickly covered in lots of color and sprinkles. Some how we managed to have decorated cookies left over but many were eaten along the way.

 Grandma joined us and got to read the book opened by the kiddos.

 We made this plate for our cookies. Who knew what paint, marker, and 30 minutes in the oven could do!

 

 Caleb slept in Emma's bedroom to make sure she went to sleep. Thankfully they didn't still have sugar cookies dancing in their head.

Sweet Christmas Moments

 Before church these, two had some sweet smiles for Mommy.

I love this angelic little face!

 Here they are showing off our advent candles. 

Merry Trimmas!

Christmas Party Time!

 The Friday before Christmas was a busy day. Caleb, Emma and I all had Christmas parties and Caleb got to attend them all!

 During Caleb's party, they enjoyed decorating cookies and making a reindeer craft.

 He was also the winner of musical chairs, a class favorite game.

 Later that afternoon was Emma Katherine's party. The little ones looked so cute dressed in their PJs and she was quite a fan of her cookie too.

 Caleb wasn't afraid of Santa but again Emma needed her Daddy to help her get close.

 They had a few more ta-da's before leaving. Emma was celebrated out but Caleb joined me for the festivities at my school.

Living Nativity

Rolling Hills Baptist Church celebrated with a living nativity scene. We had such a great time and it really made the true meaning of Christmas come alive for the kids (all four of us)!

Just like the wise men, we rode a camel over to see the manger. Caleb thought it was quite bumpy and we agreed it would have been hard to go very far.

Emma Katherine loved everything about this night. She walked right up to the manger anxious to see Jesus and didn't hesitate in petting the animals.

Inside the church were costumes ready for us to wear to participate. Aren't those the cutest angel and shepherd you've ever seen?

I was actually moved by Emma's enthusiasm and eagerness renewing my own anticipation to see Jesus through her precious little eyes.

I look forward to repeating this next year knowing it was quite memorable for us all.

School Performance

 Caleb had his school performance that he had spent weeks preparing. Of course he knew every word and motion doing a great job. Emma squealed to see her brother on stage.

 Love these two and their sweet smiles!

 Aunt Dottee brought this really large present that has kept them interested...at least long enough for a picture.

This is one of my favorite things about Christmas. A friend gave me the idea to wrap Christmas books to open and read each night. We add some each Christmas, the library helps with the rest, and I stay just ahead of them getting a few wrapped at a time. During such a busy time when we only have time for a fraction of the things I would love to do with the kids, this has been a true joy with the addition of reading the verse on our mitten advent calendar.