December 2016 (post one)

We've had a crazy December with lots going on but lots of special memories made as well. We were busy with church events the first three weekends: parents night out (youth fundraiser), our youth Christmas party with a tacky theme, the widows banquet (we escorted a widow and dressed in the roaring twenties theme), Dynamic Duo themed Christmas party for our staff Christmas party at Brother Jacky's Barn (we were Charlie Brown and Lucy). We finished up school for the semester pretty early in December (James and Stephen!) and took about a three week Christmas break that ends tonight/tomorrow (doing a few things this evening!). We celebrated Christmas with Stephen's family on one of his off Monday's while his sister and family were here but unfortunately no one was feeling well as all three boys had, yet, another bout with a stomach bug (luckily James was able to watch all the Start Wars movies that came on TV throughout the break as a result of being down and out and he was in heaven!) and Stephen had strep throat and pneumonia. Somehow I managed to stay well and take care of everyone! Stephen also filled in for our pastoral care pastor this month (rotating with another pastor) and did lots of hospital visits in addition to his normal responsibilities, and he also had the chance to preach this morning (on January 1st) while our pastor was out and did a wonderful job! We also squeezed in some fun events with the boys on this school break/Christmas break which included model trains at McWane, Zoo Light Safari, Build a Bear (which was one of their Christmas gifts), saw a double feature of the new Star Wars movie (for James!) and Moana at the Drive-In because its cheap cheap and the boys can move around and make as much noise as they need and not disturb anyone!, and a bowling, laser tag, and arcade place for the final hurrah! Thankfully our yearly memberships to the special places of Birmingham come in handy on weeks like this (and the boys are too young to know we are being thrifty and fun!). We also did a special Christmas eve dinner and grilled steaks and used my fancy china that I had been saving for basically ten years and have barely used, and I finally decided that my kids were plenty special enough to be the honored guests! I lit candles, read the christmas story, used the fancy dishes and they just thought the whole experience was awesome! That night they opened matching christmas pajamas and each opened a board game that we played as a family! They loved it! I plan to make that a tradition. We also unwrapped a christmas book (most we already owned) for every day of Advent and read them as bedtime stories and I will definitely do it again. Some favorites: The Little Drummer Boy, Mortimer's Christmas Manger (or something like that!), And the Best Christmas Pageant Ever! (all three of these books made me cry!). We also did a lot of baking to give candy as gifts to all our teachers, leaders, coaches, etc. but unfortunately the second round of people did not get to have the candy we made because of the stomach bug and I was afraid to infect everyone days before Christmas. We still had fun baking it. Here are most of the pictures from these events (in a very scrambled order!). Some are still on my camera or on my phone and have not been uploaded yet:

The last four years of matching pajamas at Christmas

James and I at the family craft christmas party for children at church (When we got there Jude threw up so he and Joah went home with Stephen and James and I stayed and make this picture together!)

They were all sick but we still made our annual gingerbread house. Joah got to help this time!

The boys ask me to pick them up and dance many mornings after we wake up!

We enjoyed some unseasonably warm weather and played Wubble Bubble, raked leaves, and did power wheels (gifts from previous Christmases)!

James wore his Star Wars costume to the drive-in! We just wore pajamas!

Joah is so obsessed with his kitchen! Its his favorite toy at church and so we got him one for home! They all love it!

Church on Christmas Day this year. The next time this happens James will be 12, Jude will be 9, and Joah will be 7!

Their build a bear Christmas gift experience. James picked Star Wars for his same Buddy (he is so faithful that that little dog!), Jude got a glittery troll that is so like his dynamic, sparkly personality, and Joah got a sweet bunny. These animals depict their personalities well!

His finished lego creations. He loved all his Star Wars themed gifts. You can also see his first loose baby tooth that is just hanging (and still barely hanging) in this picture.