Christmas Day With No Tears

If you read my previous post you know that our first Christmas Eve with Justus was filled with lots of tears! Apparently, he just needed to sleep on it and process it all because he woke up Christmas morning in such a happy spirit! Yay!

We just spent the morning as a family! We read the Christmas story, enjoyed a yummy breakfast and opening more presents.

In the afternoon we went to my parents for an italian dinner and more presents!

And the time I was anticipating most, giving my parents their gift! I made it, with my dad's help! Haha! He didn't know when he was the sawing the board that it was for him; but well he figured it out when we brought it in! He said, "looks like you brought me that board again!"

So, thankful for the Christmas season; but ultimately we are thankful for the Reason for the Season-Jesus! Happy Birthday Jesus and Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Tears of Christmas Eve

We came home from a Christmas Eve Party at some friends where we had stuffed ourselves full of yummy Mexican food! Made our birthday cake, enjoyed a yummy snack of muffins and cappuccino! Followed with the Christmas story and opening of our Christmas stockings! I was so excited to enjoy this first Christmas with Justus and as you will soon learn...he didn't share the sentiment.
The boys haven't learned to yet enjoy the Christmas story...

I think we all know what Klayton has his mind on they have their minds on!

FINALLY, to the gifts and we are SO excited to watch Justus open his first present!

And, he didn't get the memo to be excited. I was bummed at first; but then I realized I will one day look back with a smile and laugh as I remind him of his first Christmas.

Klayton, on the other hand dove right into the spirit of opening gifts!

Best $5 ever spent and quite possibly one of the best gifts! A Ninja set for my little Ninja!

And Justus still has not found the excitement...

Even with tears that big brother didn't even notice, we all enjoyed our first Christmas Eve as a family of 4!

And, on a side note its good that we had a helper with opening of the presents!

What would I do without my tearful baby and little helper?
Merry Christmas!

Happy Birthday Jesus

I love Christmas for SO many reasons; but the ultimate reason we want to teach our boys to love Christmas is for the celebration of Jesus! So, 3 years running we have continued our tradition of making a birthday cake for Jesus! Happy Birthday Jesus!

"Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday dear Jesus,

Happy Birthday to You!"

Our Christmas

Once upon a time it was Christmas 2013 and this Mama was missing her camera battery charger. Because of this sad deed she did not take all the pictures she wanted with her camera and was too lazy to upload the pictures from her phone of the family opening their stockings, baking a birthday cake for Jesus or spending time with family and friends on Christmas Eve.
Christmas morning came quickly and excitement filled the air. The Christmas story was once again read, the biscuits and gravy were made and the presents were opened.
A little boy, opened the gift of music.

He opened the gift of comfort that would come in a small chair...


And his mother and father were enjoying the sense of knowing their little boy LOVED his presents this year! As the day continued on the little family journeyed to Grandpa and Grandma's house.
Much to the grandparents relief their grandson was able to help them open their presents-without him the gifts would still be in their wrapping.


His daddy was also relieved to have the help of his son as opening a present could be a tough job!

Thankfully, the challenge of opening presents is not a difficult task for a three year old.

But, it doesn't hurt to have a Grandma to play along with!

And with full tummies and full hearts this family enjoyed their Christmas from start to finish!

Merry Christmas

It's hard to believe that this will be our last Christmas as a family of 3!
So thankful for the gift that God sent in His Son-Baby Jesus!

We are blessed to personally know "The Reason for the Season!" Merry Christmas!

Looking like Christmas

We FINALLY set up our tree. Usually, we do it the day after Thanksgiving; but since we were gone and then I had to recover from our trip...
The day we set up our Christmas tree is one of my favorite days of the season. We made it feel like Christmas inside, enjoyed a nice dinner, watched a Christmas movie and snacked the entire evening! This Christmas season has already been so much fun because my little guy is getting into the excitement of it all as well-he even helped decorate the tree!

Klayton has already spotted a few presents under the tree and I can tell is already having a difficult time refraining from opening the presents himself! So, now the big question is-when do I put his presents under the tree? Will they make it until Christmas without any pokes or tears in the wrapping?!

Or just maybe he will stick to rearranging the ornaments on the Christmas tree? Mmm..

Catch Up

I figured it has been a LONG time since I have given just a general update of life! Today, is the perfect opportunity to catch up and share some pictures!
I hosted Thanksgiving for the first time! My grandparents received a gazillion phone calls from me as I searched for the turkey giblets and neck. I ended up cooking the neck because I never found it pre-oven; but the turkey still turned out delicious and thankfully even after my experience of "gutting" a turkey, I still like to eat it!
Last week I was able to spend time with a friend and do a little crafting, thank you Pinterest! I made two scarves and my friend Jessica made this beautiful wreath!

Then last Friday we flew to Arizona, where we still are! Enjoying palm trees and cactus as well as warm weather! It has been in the 80's here, quite a change from what we left in South Dakota!

Let me take this moment to brag on my little guy and his first experience flying! He did awesome!
Waiting to check in...

Checking out the airplanes at the gate that mommy thought we were flying out of...

Klayton actually slept for about half the flight, which caused him to miss take off. But when he woke up he enjoyed some snacks, pushing buttons in the bathroom that should not be pushed and looking out the window! He did fuss a little as we prepared for landing; but that is to be expected with the air pressure changes!

Since we have been in Arizona we have been busy. Joseph has been helping out a pastor and that has kept him extremely busy! Klayton however, has found time to have a little fun and decorate some Christmas cookies!

I think we will continue to be busy during our time here! I am hoping to check out the Mesa Swap Meet this weekend and figure out a way to start finish my Christmas shopping for my husband as we don't get home until the morning of Christmas Eve day!

Christmas Day

Do you remember those days where you went to bed excited for Christmas morning, it took forever to fall asleep yet you were the first one awake? Well, I'm 29 and I am still this way...needless to say Joseph and I were both up this morning WAITING for Klayton to wake up!

Klayton woke up around 8:45, we hurried downstairs to read the Christmas story, open gifts, enjoy orange rolls for breakfast and head to church for Christmas morning services.

When we came home today we enjoyed our traditional Christmas dinner: Apple and Onion Chicken, mashed potatoes, corn and rolls!

After dinner the rest of our day was spent in our pajamas, watching movies and relaxing as a family!

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and in spite of all the commercialism and gift receiving that you took time to celebrate HIM!

Christmas Eve

This rarely happens, a picture with me in it! Yay! And you will notice several others throughout this post! Were all dressed up to go to church for a Christmas Eve service!

After the candlelight service, we came home and opened our stockings! This year we all got new stockings! The "boys" have sports themed ones and I have a snowman stocking!

One of my favorite memories this year is holding Klayton in my lap as he opened his stocking stuffers!

And Klayton and I enjoyed watching daddy open his stocking stuffers!

I love Christmas and this year I was reminded to be thankful that I have THIS Christmas with my boys!