O Come Let Us Adore Him

We made it!

Worship Christ
the newborn KING!

Let it Snow

We made our second appearance at Snowflake Lane ... all in search of snow. Fun family night for all of us!

so where did we leave off

Somehow I got lost somewhere amongst the Christmas season - we MUST refocus. Ok, here we go -
on the 17th day of Christmas we had the pre-school Christmas program. Two long months of practice went into this thing and you could tell. McKaden had told me that she would be singing loud so that I could hear her - that was NO joke. I cannot wait to get the dvd from the night as her voice was most loud and clear:) Max was right on when it came to the songs and hand motions - but let's say that in the more talking/quiet times he was a bit distracted with the kids head in front of him. When he thought no body was looking - obviously forgetting he is standing in front of hundred people! - he would tickle the kids head in front of him [inside the crown he was wearing]. It was both funny and not funny at the same time. Here is the sweet angel and wiseman ...



We also wanted a white Christmas but there is not one to be found - so we went to the Children's Museum and built our own snow fort! and of course we knocked it down.



And we had a candlelight dinner - only the best when you are getting ready for the King's arrival.



Now we are on to Christmas Shopping - BUT that is TOP SECRET!

and so on and so on

Sunday was Family Christmas Night at church - the kids loved it and we had a great time. Monday was "build a Gingerbread House out of graham cracker" night [doesn't everyone celebrate this?]. It was a competition between the boys and the girls. What do you think? It was messy, fun, and by golly these things are still standing.



The girls beautiful work! Look at that craftwomanship! And now on to the boys work ...


Would like to note that the boys roof does not close - that should be an automatic deduction ... just a note.

On to the next few days of Christmas ...
Tuesday was our delivery to Toys for Tots - all went well and without any tears. I have to admit the gifts were pretty cool.

Let it Snow!

Ok, so not so much snow here - BUT when your cousin gives you a new purple snow suit, you must put it on and go outside.

on the 12 day of Christmas

A tree lighting [well, it was lit when we got there], a boat parade and shopping for Toys for Tots.
We also finally got to celebrate Daddy's birthday!
Happy Birthday to the best Dad! EVER!

on day 11 we adored

Oh Come let us adore Him!
On the 11th day of Christmas we visited a Living Nativity Scene.
Max informed me that the baby was a doll! What no real baby Jesus? And McKaden told me that the pony in the stall nearby was really a donkey -"cause that is what Mary rode on". We talked a lot about the real meaning of Christmas after seeing this. All in all a great night.

and now a little tv

This is the kids first year to watch some Christmas specials - we did this one on Wednesday and Santa Clause is Coming to town on Thursday - which I must add did answer some question we had about Santa;)

and there was the 5,6, 7 and 8th day

Being intentional about this Christmas season has been so much fun for us! The 5th was Daddy's birthday and we celebrated him and what a great dad and husband he is. Auntie Di came to take the kids on a date and look at Christmas lights, while Mark and I slipped downtown for some fun. When we get the kids on Sunday we went to a local store that really does the Christmas holiday right - we enjoyed food, carolers, beautiful trees and an amazing collection of the Christmas Village homes. Monday we worked on Christmas cards and on Tuesday we hung the stockings by the fireplace and one on the fishtank. Wonder what Santa might bring a fish?

Everyday we are making and effort [some days more than others] to get ready to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Let's prepare our hearts.

The 3 and 4th Day of Christmas

We did a little shopping - for Daddy's birthday! We don't do that early Christmas shopping that some folks like to do. After Daddy's birthday we start to think about Christmas. So off the the mall we went - first stop is always LUNCH!

Not even kidding you - Max ate this WHOLE bowl of clam chowder!!

McKaden just might have her own cooking show someday - does she not just look like a natural!

And for the night of the 3rd we made some cookies! We are not bakers around here so there is not traditional cooking theme for us - but we did some chocolate chip and a few cut out cookies. So much fun!


And on the 4th we took those cookies that we made and gave them out to people. All day we did our best to practice kindness. We also saw Santa [more pictures to come from that] and let him know that we had not even thought about what we wanted for Christmas but we would think about it [seriously, that is what McKaden told him].

on the 2nd day of Christmas

The Nativity Scene!

The 1st Day of Christmas

24 Days until Christmas ...

the heart paperchain is done and on the wall [finally something to do with those hearts that Max makes!]


For the 1st night of Christmas we decorated the kids tree's for their rooms. Stay tuned for the next 24 days!

Give thanks

With a grateful heart.




So I asked the kids to pose like they were praying and giving thanks ... not exactly what I was looking for, but a good laugh!!

The face of 5

McKaden turned 5 on the 25th - I am still trying to believe that I have a 5 year old. She had a fun birthday week - we always celebrate the WHOLE week! Some highlights were her cousins spending the night, a new fish/fishtank from Max and dinner at Red Robin. She decided, last minute, that she did want to have a birthday cake [after telling me she only wanted to eat healthy snacks] and that she wanted it to look like a fish.


Don't laugh at the cake - I made it myself and I will leave that at that.

Meet "Rainbow" fish [yes, that is his name]






Happy Birthday McKaden! We love you so much!!

Max's Big Day

A couple of Sunday's ago we had Max dedicated at church. Our church only does child dedications 4 times a year, so you have to hope the dates work out for you. We had put off his dedication in hopes that our family from out of town would be able to attend - but with our parents unable to travel, we decided to move ahead with this. We know that they were with us in spirit. We felt blessed by the friends and family who were there to pray with us as we presented Max to God. We pray that we will be good parents and that Max will grow to ask Jesus into his life. We pray that Max will grown to be a mighty man of God!

Max liked seeing his picture on the big screen and asked if he was "going to get a trophy?" McKaden let him know that this was a "God thing" and he seemed ok with that answer.

Max, we love you so much! We pray that you will give God your whole life and follow after him. As Pastor Nate prayed - will you bring joy to others as you model God's amazing plan for us. Will you bring people together and show his love to all. You have been chosen for such a time as this ...

Happy McKaden Day

Four years ago a little, almost, one year old girl was placed in our arms!
Happy McKaden Day!
Everyday you amaze us.
We love you and are so glad you are part of our family.
ps photo courtesy of Angie Monroe-it is just amazing!

Halloween Happenings

What a fun week we have had! We started the week off with an Halloween Party for the 5 and under crowd we hang with. This was a NO ADULTS ALLOWED party - in other words, parents go out on a date and we hang with your kids. The kids had a blast with fun games, crafts and great kid food. Here were a few of our guests.


Later in the week the kids had a Noah's Ark party at school where they got to dress as an animal on the Ark. McKaden looks like she thoroughly enjoyed herself - look how dirty she is! - as the black cat on the ark. Max went as an alligator [I thought it was a dinosaur costume until the kids informed me it was an alligator]. I don't have any pictures of him in it, as he was too hot to wear it:(



We of course continued in the tradition of Daddy and kids pumpkin carving night! Great job!




AND the highlight for ALL of us was serving at Trunk or Treat this year. We have heard there were a couple of thousand people who came though this years event. We thought it would be fun to serve as a family, with our small group, and let our kids do the serving. For three hours these kids handed out candy to other kids and shared the love of Christ. It was awesome to see these kids do this - there were a lot of proud parents that night as we watched our kids. Max and his friend Mattea got a little sidetracked - but had lots of fun. McKaden was a champ and actually searched out kids to make sure they got candy. Camrie, who is only ONE, was so focused on giving out her candy - it was adorable! And Kyle did not want to trick or treat himself, but wanted to keep giving out candy.