Christmas 2015

We had such a good Christmas this year!  The girls were old enough really enjoy a lot of different activities, and we did a lot of new things together as a family.  Payton had a preschool Christmas program, and had a speaking part.  She did great!  She also had a church program, and we enjoyed hearing her sing on Christmas Sunday!  Crazy to thing that Elin will be right up there with her next year. :)

In addition to these fun programs, we did some Christmas crafts together as a family, did some Christmas baking, visited Santa, went and saw the Nutcracker ballet, and took a carriage ride to see the lights around town.  We just love love love this time of year when we celebrate God's greatest gift the world!  Really, really trying to be intentional at keeping Christ the center of our home, especially during the Christmas season!

The girls helped put up a tree in the toy room this year!



Miss Pay working hard on separating the branches.

Helping daddy with the living room tree.

 

 The finished product!

 

 

Making homemade hot chocolate!  Yum!

Put a few lights up outside this year.  A new venture for us, but the girls loved them!

 

 

 Working on a gingerbread house craft!

 

 

Miss E working on her snowman craft.



 

 

Checking out the lights on the tree. 

 

 

 A fun Santa Hat breakfast- strawberries, grapes, and marshmallows.



 

Making ornaments to hang on the tree.

Making bird feeders to hang in the backyard.

 

 

 Christmas at Kindermusik!

Getting ready for the Nutcracker Ballet!  We had our first manicure!

 

 

 Best buddies getting ready to head to the Nutcracker!

Miss Pay all dressed up for her pre-k Christmas program.

Papa surprised us, and showed up to Payton's program!

 

Carriage ride to see the Christmas lights.

 

Decorating cookies to leave out for Santa!

Elin and grandma on Christmas Eve!

 

 

 Payton and Papa on Christmas Eve!

 

 

 Payton and Santa! Elin wasn't quite ready to sit on Santa's lap alone.

 

 

 Miss E's breakfast of choice on Christmas morning- a sugar cookie and a candy cane!

Christmas at Grandma Kelly and Papa John's

Thanksgiving 2016

Thanksgiving is one of our most favorite holidays.  We enjoy so much, being able to gather with family and friends and reflect on all that we have to be thankful for.  I began reading the book, "1000 Gifts," by Ann Voskamp, and this has really caused me to be more intentional in looking for God's gifts everyday and making it a point to thank Him.  Crazy how this act of Thanksgiving creates a sense of joy and amazement in how great our God is and how vast His love is for us.

This year, Payton's preschool put on their annual Thanksgiving feast.  We love going to this and enjoying Payton's class together.  She learned the Thanksgiving story this year, and could re-tell it so well.  We were very impressed!  In addition to this, we cooked Thanksgiving at our house this year, and had Ryan's family over for dinner.  We also celebrated Thanksgiving day at Grandma Kelly's and Papa John's.  Love love all this family time!

Miss Jinny, teaching the class the Thanksgiving story.

Making bracelets.

 

 Thanksgiving program

Thanksgiving Feast

 

 Preschool friends!

 

 Helping Grandma and Aunt Kyla make fresh whipped cream for the pies!

Thanksgiving 2015

 

 Thanksgiving weekend trip to Aunt Kyla's- making homemade pizza!

Halloween 2015

This was our first Halloween in our new neighborhood, and the girls had a blast trick or treating with some of the neighborhood kiddos!  They also enjoyed the little party that our subdivision puts on down at the clubhouse for friends and family.  This year, we had Minnie Mouse (Elin) and Queen Elsa. (Payton)  In addition to these fun events, we enjoyed trick or treating at daddy's work- an annual tradition that the girls always look forward to!  Let's just say, we gathered enough candy to last quite a while. :)

Miss Elin as Minnie Mouse

Miss Payton as Queen Elsa!

Trick or Treating at daddy's work

Neighborhood Trick or Treat Party

Handing out candy at home!

Trick or Treating with Jake, our next door neighbor!