See You Next Year!

We had a fun Christmas...but as always...it goes so fast!

We were able to celebrate our traditional Christmas Eve with Dan's family...even though Elizabeth was a little under the weather...bless her heart.  She was coming down from her one-year immunizations, such a trooper!

{the kids snooping through the presents looking for theirs!}

Christmas morning is always a fun, chaotic mess!  Alex almost saw Santa!  Dan and I thought we heard him too...but we just missed him!  {whew!}  Alex saw the presents at 10:30 Christmas Eve and couldn't fall asleep until after midnight!  It was a long night!  Emily got up and went downstairs too in the middle night and told Alex!  But they were still just as excited when we all finally got up in the morning!

{Alex's favorite gift...a Nintendo 3DS!  He was so happy...and it was the first one he opened!}

{Emily's favorite things...American Girl doll and snow cone stand!}

{Elizabeth's favorite gift...her Cabbage Patch doll and stroller!}

The kids had plenty of time to enjoy the morning before we loaded up to head west to find some snow!

{we found it!}

I have so many pictures to share...but we will be enjoying lots of fun in the snow...

...until next year!

Happy New Year!

{Ice}ing

The holidays approach quicker and quicker every year...it's always a time when I have so many things I want to do...crafts to make...sweets to bake...festivities to attend...and lists to check off...

And in the end...only a handful of those things in my mind actually play out in reality.  But stressing through it always happens...as much as I try to remember not to sweat the small things...

Like letting the house look like a tornado blew through it while trying to keep the more important things in check...

Like having a junk day with our family in our jammies watching movies and eating junk food!

Like skipping a nap that I really wanted to take and instead taking Alex and Emily and her friend ice-skating with Santa {while Dan and Elizabeth napped instead...guess somebody had to fulfill that job!}

I had a lot of fun ice-skating too...until the toe of my skates stuck in the ice instead of effortlessly gliding... and I gracefully fell hard on my kneecaps!  I seriously thought I was going to need a stretcher to make it off the ice!  Ouch!  But Alex and I laughed!  And kept on going!  He actually loved falling...ha! 

Like pushing aside one mess to make room for another one...especially when it comes to icing cookies!  That is one thing we always make time for during this crazy time of year!

{my half may already be gone...but who's counting?!  ...thankfully the kids were smart enough to set aside enough cookies to leave Santa on Christmas Eve!  They know me too well!  ha!}

Like skipping putting my feet up and watching tv by the fireplace and instead consoling a fussy Ellie by getting in the car and driving around to let her sleep it off...and enjoying some beautiful Christmas lights with the kids in the process!

It's hard not to get caught up in the busy hustle and bustle of the holidays...but I am so thankful for the moments and traditions that happen during this time of year! 

And a moment I don't ever want to forget:

Me:  Let's go, we need to go to the grocery store.
Emily:  I want to stay here. 
Me:  With who?  {forgetting that Dan was not home because he had to work...on a Sunday...boo!  Technical difficulties... anyway...}
Emily:  thinking... With Jesus.
Me:  tickled...Jesus is going with us!

I love her!  I love that God does use those hurried, busy moments when my only thoughts are just to get everyone out the door!  It made me stop and laugh and relax and smile.  And know that Jesus was most definitely going along for the ride...
...and that is the icing on the cake cookie!

May we all take time to stop and reflect on the true meaning of this holiday season!

Merry Christmas!

Down for the Count {0-2... 100... 13...}

The girls and I had a shopping date on Saturday while the boys watched IU win over Kentucky!  {we yelled from home during this big exciting win!}

Emily got to visit Santa...but she was a little quiet...she told me Santa already knows what she wants so she didn't need to tell him!

Elizabeth was lucky enough to see Santa twice this year...or maybe not so lucky...

{0-2 this year!}

Before we saw Santa though...Emily has talked about getting her nails done forever...so we went to the nail salon and waited for this big occasion...only for her to plead for a feather extension instead.
What?  No way!  She's asked over 100 times to get one and I've told her over 100 times that she was not getting a feather in her hair... today we were here for her nails...that's final!

{darn it!  she is good!  It finally came down to one or the other...and the feather won!}

I'm curious to see how long it will stay clipped in...she has been ever so careful about it this weekend!  She fought hard to get it, and I told her once it's out...it's out!  ...sigh... 

Please don't use those big brown eyes to tell me otherwise...again!

{I admit...she looks pretty cute...and the waitress at Steak 'n Shake following our shopping trip commented on it...and she beamed so big!  She said, "I actually just got it!"  I guess in the end...it was better than the choice of nail color she had in mind...lime green and pink zebra stripes! 

Oh my...I'm in trouble!}

The kids also performed in the Christmas play at church on Sunday...

I'm obviously no costume designer...this is the best we could come up with as to how they might have dressed in Jesus' day!  In the end, Alex did not wear the scarf on his head...he said it felt like a wig and that he looked like a girl! 

They each had a small speaking part and it was so fun to watch them!  Alex wished he had Emily's lines because they were shorter than his...he doesn't really like to stand up in front and perform, but  he did so great!  It was awesome to hear him speak so loud and clear and confident!

They all got a standing ovation for their hard work and great performance!  They were so cute!

After church Dan, Elizabeth and I had the luxury of nap time while Alex and Emily had quiet computer and Wii time...Emily ended up in bed with a short nap too!  Then I asked the kids to put their clothes away...and after what seemed like forever...I went to check on them and they were even cleaning out all their drawers and folding the clothes in there which ended up with Emily giving alot of her old things that didn't fit anymore to Elizabeth!  I love when they can show their responsibility and independence!  They were talking to each other from across the hall and working so well on their task!  I love when that happens...it makes up for all the other times!  ha!

The kids make sure to give us the daily countdown...but after this weekend, I wasn't ready when I realized there are only 13 days until Christmas!  How does it come up so fast?!

{And when did this little baby get to be so big?}

{riding in style in her new seat...looking out at the world!}

Wordless Wednesday {Worth Every Bite}

{of Peppermint Oreo}

{...and the bath that followed!}