Holidays

I wanted to do a quick update on all the fun we have had over the holiday season.  We started with Halloween.  Eli was a Southwest Pilot, Cora was Snow White, and Asher was a skeleton.  Eli has more passion for trick-or-treating than anyone I know and is a complete chatterbox going from house to house blessing everyone with his cheerful commentary.  He told everyone, "This is my favorite candy!  Thank you so much!  I'll see you next year!"  Cora had a blast this year with her cousins.  Asher picked it right up and would say, "TREAT" and "THANK YOU" after he got his candy.  They all had a blast! 

We headed to Texas for Thanksgiving, even though we had two kids with croup.  They were troopers and we made the best of it!  The kids had a blast in the hot tub, making hot chocolate with Grams, shooting off rockets, going to a trampoline park, and visiting cousin Gavin's new house.  It was fun to spend time with all of my in-laws and eat some awesome food together!  We have so much to be thankful for.    

This Christmas season was downright magical!  Having three kids old enough to participate in all of the fun Christmas activities and traditions was just a blast.  It was a very joyful season for us this year.  The kids loved doing our Jesse Tree where every night we read a bible story leading up to Jesus birth and put on an ornament.  We enjoyed The Illuminations at Botanica, Heartspring's Lights on the Lake, The Lights on St. Paul, and Christmas lights in our neighborhood.  Asher LOVED Christmas lights!  We baked goodies for all of our neighbors and tried to bless as many teachers and people in our lives that have enriched it in so many ways.  We have done a lot of crafts and other fun traditions.  This was our first Christmas to be at home and it was wonderful to not be traveling and just get to enjoy it.  My parents and brother and Brandon's parents and brother Lance all came to celebrate with us (my Mom brought the two rambunctious kittens with her and they were the hit of Christmas).  We had a big dinner and went to the Christmas Eve service where Brandon led music and the kids walked around playing drums to Little Drummer Boy and singing Away in a Manger.  The kids loved lighting candles!  Christmas morning Eli was determined he heard Santa the night before and they all had fun opening presents.  Eli had a "space" Christmas, Cora had a "barbie" Christmas, and Asher got some farm toys, a light saber and hex bug.  We are savoring every day of Brandon's long Christmas vacation and Eli and Cora's two week break.  I am so thankful for the blessings in our lives and for Jesus!