Our Family’s Journey: December 2010

The title of this post says it all, so if you are following along you may want to grab a cup of coffee because this is going to take a while. I tried to put most of everything we did over Christmas in this one post...minus the trip to Disney. That will have to be a post in itself. Trying to get this crowd together for a Christmas card photo is quite a task but we did manage to. The shot below is one of the pictures that did make it on to the card.

Anna Kayla and Greg were also added but didn't make the actual photo shoot because she had just returned from Costa Rica and was too tired to pose for endless pictures!

This is the picture that was added to our card of them. Our Christmas wouldn't be complete without Paul and the little ones making a gingerbread house together.

Here they are getting everything assembled.

Emanuiel is supervising Dad's every move.

Clara Beth was the official taster of all things candy!

Once the house was finished it was put in a spot where little eyes could gaze at it longingly.

Emanuiel Elf was quite pleased with the project! One of our new family traditions(since Anna Kayla and Greg have been married) is going to their house before and after our town's annual Christmas parade. This year Anna Kayla had coffee and doughnuts for us before the parade.

Once our tummies were full of those we started our walk to town. Here's Clara Beth with her Santa Seeker binoculars ready to spot Santa in the parade.

Once we were there they were put to good use(Thanks Mrs. Dawn for helping her make these).

Once Santa was spotted she shared them with Emanuiel so that he could get a good look!!!!

Anna Kayla and Land enjoyed the parade passing by from behind us. When the parade was over we headed back to Anna Kayla and Greg's house for sandwiches and Loaded Baked Potato Soup. That was just what we needed to warm us up after a cold morning of parade watching.

As soon as lunch was over the tradition continued with the little ones opening the Advent calendar.

Clara Beth was very happy with her chocolate finds behind the little door.

Once again tummies were warmed with delicious flavored coffees...

as we listened to Anna Kayla read a special passage from her Bible. Attending the Christmas parade and spending time at Anna Kayla and Greg's house is one of our favorite Christmas traditions another one that is special for the little ones is attending Paul's Christmas party at work.

This year was just as exciting for them as always. The party begins with a stop in the cafeteria to get Christmas cookies. Then it's off to get faces painted. Here is CB getting a candy cane to match her clothes!

Emanuiel chose a Christmas tree which he was quite proud of! Can you tell!!

Then we traveled down the hall and followed the candy cane signs to see the most important man at Daddy's work..............SANTA!!!! They both told him exactly what was on their lists this year.

Then posed for one last picture with the jolly old fellow. After this I slipped off for some girl time with one of my best buds. Together we enjoyed our town's annual Holiday Home Tour. No pictures of that we were too busy oohing over the beautiful decorations. This year Clara Beth and Emanuiel were both old enough to participate in our Church's Children's Christmas program. After months of practicing the big night finally arrived..

Clara Beth was one of the angles and she was very much in her element on stage. That girl loves to perform and she sang her little heart out. See her good friend Bekah Grace beside her.

Emanuiel was a little more nervous about performing but he also did a great job. The lighting was very dim so the pictures didn't come out very well. It was also hard to take pictures because we were watching and didn't want to miss anything.

At one point I though that Emanuiel and his wings might actually fly off the stage! Thankfully he didn't because he probably thought the little guy below might just be watching...

When this little fellow arrived at our house he was met with much excitement from Emanuiel and a lot of skepticism from Clara Beth. She told me on numerous occasions that she just wished he would go up in the attic to stay!

But he wouldn't, he just kept popping up in the most unusual places. First thing every morning the two little ones would hop out of bed and go on a search for "Piggles" yes that is the name that he was given! He proved to be quite a good little keeper of the peace while he was here. I really hated to see him go. There were also numerous hot cocoa breaks over the holidays.

With this one requesting the most cups!

and this one joining in...

with marshmallows of course! Believe me this Christmas, just like with the hot chocolate, we tried to drink it all in and savor each and every moment! We did have some early present opening at our house.

My brother and his wife Liss spent Christmas in England this year with Liss' family. So instead of delivering the presents in person this year they mailed them all the way from California. CB and E could hardly wait to open their packages.

Christmas Eve morning they were finally able to open them! They were filled with art supplies...their favorite things right now! Thank you Uncle Garrett and Aunt Liss we loved our presents but we missed having you here this Christmas!!!! Then finally the big morning arrived and unfortunately we made videos but didn't get any pictures!

We did manage to get Greg as he and Anna Kayla were arriving for breakfast bearing gifts! Can you guess what the one on top is...Emanuiel thought he knew but we kept telling him that it couldn't possibly be a dinosaur!!! Too bad we didn't capture the look on his face it was priceless. After a delicious breakfast we opened more presents and then just sat back and enjoyed the gifts...

Some were enjoyed much more than others. This girl LOVED her Mobigo. Then it was off to my sister's house for a delicious feast and more gifts!! Once we were back home we settled in and waited for this...