Christmas Eve + Day

 

It was a snowy and VERY cold Christmas this year - and I missed my Mom a LOT, but I remembered WHY we celebrate Christmas and this earthly life is so very temporary, and the 4 of us (and Bear) celebrated Jesus's birth together with all the love we could.

Christmas Eve Mass was beautiful! 

White Christmas!

We went 2 hours early for Mass and sat with friends 

while we waited - one of my favorite traditions!

{Me, Meg, Kirsten}

Watched Noelle, one of my new favorite Christmas movies! All snuggled up with blankets and Bear to keep us warm! It was bitter, bitter cold out! Hope Santa dresses warm tonight!

Bear sat by the fire as much as he could . . . 

We played lots of games . . . 

And decorated Gingerbread houses . . . 

While watching lots of football . . . 

And the girls made our traditional Monkey bread for Christmas morning . . .

Kate gave us her homemade gift she made at school . . . 

Homemade cards and gifts are THE BEST.

Love it, Kate!

Santa will too!

Waiting for Dad to read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" to all 3 of them.

SANTA CAME!!!!!!!

And our Monkey Bread smelled delicious!

Love the chaos of Christmas morning with kids. . . . 

Wrapping everywhere and toys all around - 

Kate got a new electric keyboard from Santa . . .

Again, loving the fireplace this Christmas more than ever - 

A snuggly cozy Christmas Day - 

Kate taught Bear how to play a new game . . . 

And the girls helped me set the table for Christmas Dinner - 

Grilled steaks were worth it, even if I was freezing while grilling. 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Christmas Break!!

 

Christmas Parties at School and the Bells Rang

and now 2 weeks of No School!!!

Molly and her friends had their 3rd Annual Christmas Gift Exchange at Campbell's house!

{Campbell, Molly, Vivian, Margaret, Anna}

Kate and Ruby made a cozy Christmas fort downstairs to play games in.

Bear has been "sniffing out" the gifts . . .

Kate taught me school one morning . . .

Her lesson plan was intense . . .

Bear stayed warm by the fire . . . 

Her "vocab" station she made . . .

And the "Kindness Box" for the classroom - 

Molly made colored ice . . . because, why not!?

And we made Christmas Chex Mix with white chocolate - so yummy!

Molly had a couple friends stay the night . . .

And Hot Cocoa Bar was first on the agenda . . .

Kate was in heaven to be included . . .

Love having a house filled with kids . . . 

Once again, asleep by the fire and the tree . . .

No sleepover is complete without popcorn, candy and movies . . .

Such sweet girls who talked until the early hours of the morning - 

{Anna, Margaret, Molly}

Ruby and Kate getting dressed up for playtime . . .

Bear loves the snow but not the negative degree temps outside (it's -5 right now)

So grateful we will have a White Christmas, even if it's COLD!

Just 2 more Days until our Savior is born!!!