Our homey Christmas

One of the highlights of this Christmas was attending the Christmas Eve program at our church. The story of Jesus was told through the eyes of Julius, the Roman soldier. It was absolutely captivating. I think I cried through the whole program. I really felt like I was there. One thing that struck me anew was the fact that Mary gave birth to Jesus AND witnessed his crucifixion. I cannot even imagine.

Last year, after the program, we traveled to visit relatives.

But, John really wanted to stay home this year. This was our very FIRST Christmas where we did not drive our wheels off.

That night, Finn tossed some magic reindeer food onto the grass, so Santa could find us. He got the reindeer food from school.

Finn took his job VERY SERIOUSLY.

The boys left some cookies for Santa. Deer Santa...

John and the boys surprised me by making sugar cookies that day while I was shopping. I am amazed at how well John can handle the boys AND be productive at the same time.

Now, I do not get into Santa AT ALL. As a kid, we did not "do Santa" and so I just assumed it would be the same for my boys.

But John wanted to do Santa, because he did as a kid...really though, if it were up to me, we would just skip the whole Santa thing.

And John also informed me that I need to buy some more Christmas decorations for our house. When he told me this, I was drinking a glass of water and almost choked! I had to spit out my water into the sink. I found it hilarious that my husband was telling ME to BUY decorations. I will admit, that my house is a bit scarce...John had fond memories growing up of all sorts of special decorations and such. I guess I am failing Christmas 101.

The boys opened up some pj's(John insisted they have new pj's to open that night).

The next morning Twain was into everything!

He's pretty much on the move, constantly.

Finn got a real digital camera this year. John bought it for $10 on ebay. We thought we scored BIG until we realized that this particular camera is a battery guzzler. Oh well.

Ollie loved opening his Mickey Mouse toys.

Finn made me a homemade gift and wrapped the present in his own designer paper.

He wrote me a cute little book.

The other special present Finn gave me, I had been requesting for months. I wanted him to sing me the 'Good Morning To You' song that he sings in kindergarten every day.

And here we are, gearing up for battle.

These two are plotting some mischief.

My mom and dad were both supposed to come up for the day, but dad had a very bad cold/cough and did not want to get the little ones sick. So just mom came for a while.

We missed you dad! We hope you are feeling better!

Auntie Lindsay sent up the the most amazing stuffed Disney Toys.



These Disney critters were a BIG HIT!(Lindsay-- Sorry I did not get a pic of Ollie with his baby Pluto. He LOVES it. They all sleep with their new stuffed toys and have watched the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD countless times).

My little niece Tacy made me the cutest present--she sewed AND embroidered this little bird pillow. I love it--made this Auntie proud!! It is very special.

John bought the boys a Solar System puzzle, much to my dismay. I totally mocked him for buying such a boring gift.

And had to eat my words, piece by piece...because it was a huge hit with mom and the boys!

She taught them all about the Solar System, while Finn took copius amounts of notes.

The boys then went outside to play with their Rocket Launchers. Another one of John's presents that was a HUGE hit.

My sweet little boys.

Not sure why they were howling.

Mom had to come outside, to see what the fuss was all about.

My mom is a lot of fun and always full of surprises!

Needless to say, the boys love her!

And she is equally fond of her little "twerps", as she affectionately calls them.

We had a BIG FAT YUMMY dinner. It was a group effort. Mom made the ham. John was in charge of the lemon jello and scalloped potatoes. I was in charge of the green bean dish and cake. This was going to be my first time at home cooking anything for the holidays.

Well, John promptly booted me out of the kitchen when he discovered that I was trying to cut down on the mushroom soup, to make the green beans less fattening. Golly. I told you. I failed Christmas;)

John's mom and dad joined us for supper, and we had a grand old time.

And as delicious and decadent as dinner was, I am quite ready to get back to eating my sticks and twigs.

At least my cake made it onto the menu.

We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, which was the perfect way to end the day. After all, that is the most important thing I want my boys to remember.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16.