Happy Birthday, Jesus Party!!

Last Sunday night, we had a birthday party for Jesus!  Jackson wanted to do this last year, and we did!  This year he wanted to do it again!  I must say, it was probably one of my favorite parts of our Christmas.  I am proud of my son's hunger for the Gospel, and unashamedly wanting to share His Story.

That Elf on the Shelf

We welcomed back our Elf (Flop) this year.  We are probably the worst elf owners ever.  Blake started out videoing clues for the little rascal...we just hid him.  But, after a week or so, we forgot to move him.  And Jackson and Claire didn't even notice!  Our next door neighbors were over here playing one afternoon and almost started crying because Claire was playing with our elf!  He really isn't supposed to be touched if you follow the "Elf Rules."  Claire carried him around like a baby doll.  Oh well!

Trimming the Trees

This is our first Christmas in our new home.  It has been really fun decorating and finding new spots for our decorations.  Perhaps my favorite part has been that our Christmas tree it on carpet and not hard wood floors!! The other 11 months of the year, the hardwood floor benefits are better...but for the month of December I love that my ornament fatalities are minimal!  This tree smells amazing, too!

Other December Things....

 Looking at Lights

The Polar Express

We decided to surprise Jackson and Claire with the Polar Express train ride again this year.  They were very excited to go with their friends this year!  This was Abby's first time going, and I just loved seeing her excitement!   Jackson's buddies (Jacob and Caden) didn't get to go because they were sick.  We missed them!  Since Jackson and Claire are both terrified of Santa, we are have our family pic with Santa for 2013!

Chopping Down Our Tree

We went back to the same tree farm we went to last year to chop down the perfect Christmas tree!!  I love this tradition!!!!  And I love that Donnie is so nervous about the tree that Darla is going to pick out!!  I am not sure that the tree from 2 years ago can ever be surpassed (huge tree, plus bird's nest),  but ya never know!!

Helen, Georgia

A few weeks ago, my parents took our family and my brother's family to Helen, Georgia for an overnight trip!  Helen is a really cute town.  It is a German town, and also happens to be a few miles away from Baby Land General!  As a Christmas gift to Claire, Claire got to adopt a Cabbage Patch Doll!  Molly Beth Freeman!  This was really a special moment for me, because I had a Cabbage Patch Doll (Ashley) who was the object of my affection for most of my childhood! She currently lives in Claire's room.