The Start of Christmas

Have you all been busy? I know we sure have.

Christmas vacation for our kiddos started on Friday the 21st.

We decided to start the holiday off right and let the kiddos open one of their gifts early.

Sj is super excited. He got Lego Batman 2: DC Superheros for Nintendo Ds.

You can see the pure joy on Eddie's face. 

He was jumping around whooping and hollering.

He got Mario Kart for Nindendo DS

The older my girls get, the harder they are to buy for.

Faith's gift was a collection of different body sprays.

She loved them.

Hope also opened up her gift of a variety of body sprays.

She was super excited!

Our family tradition is to drive around and look at Christmas lights. We usually do this the weekend before Christmas. This year we made ourselves some hot chocolate.

This house had their lights set to music. We had to tune into a certain radio station to hear the music.

This house also has Mr. and Mrs. Claus available the two days before Christmas.

Another pic I wanted to show you was of this manger scene. 

I really want my very own lighted manger scene now!

Yesterday, December 23 we had our annual Christmas Cantata at our Church.

This isn't a great picture but my kids were in the Cantata. They did so good!

I didn't get pics of the girls all dressed up because they decided to spend the night with their granny

But

I did get a picture of my boys.

Here is Sj all dressed up for the Cantata.

He says he looks Dashing!

Eddie is a little more laid back.

He simply paired a button down shirt with his blue jeans.

I think he looks pretty dashing too.

And in the spirit of these holidays, here is a pic of my boys together.

They actually put their arms around each other! I didn't have to tell them to!!!!

I was supposed to go to a cookie exchange on Saturday evening but the event was cancelled because my friend had her baby!!!

She had a sweet baby girl (she already has 3 boys).

She was 8 pounds and 14 ounces!

AND she was a few weeks early!

Unfortunately, her parents requested that her pictures not be put online. :(

Now for the upcoming events. 

Today I will be cleaning and doing laundry.

I will have to pic up my girls from their granny's house sometime today.

(They are helping her clean to prep for dinner tomorrow)

We will be attending the Christmas Eve service at our church tonight at 6pm.

When we get home our kiddos will open their Christmas Eve gift.

We always get them new pajamas!

Christmas morning we will get up and open gifts and watch the Christmas Parade.

Then I will head over to my mom's to help her cook Christmas dinner.

After that we will rest and enjoy our gifts.

New Years Eve we always put out a buffet of finger foods and have sparkling grape juice to ring in the New Year.

The kiddos go back to school on the 2nd of January.

And I believe that is it.

I will post pics of various events as I can.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas.

Be Blessed,

Erin