Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is such a special night for our family.  It's sort of the calm before the storm!

This year we took advantage of an earlier church time and went at 4:00.  That way we had plenty of time for everything else that night and weren't so rushed.

Meme, Gigi and Boom met us at church--no pics with them, though, b/c they were already inside saving our seats.  All afternoon I had been so apprehensive about having Maddie and Jackson in "big church."  They did so good, though!  Really and truly--they both got As!!  It was a wonderful service and we all enjoyed it.  My favorite part, by far, had to have been when we were singing Silent Night.  I looked over to my right and Maddie was sweetly singing along.  Then I looked to my left and J was doing the same.  Right then they both looked like angels.  And I guess in a way, they are.

After church, we came home to get ready for dinner with the Hays Fam.

We all enjoyed the lasagna and salads from Sali's and then it was time for some birthday cake!  Earlier that day the kids and I had made a birthday cake for Jesus. 
They were so excited to finally get to celebrate.

And even though Miss Lila doesn't get that the reason we celebrate Christmas is because it's Jesus' birthday, she still loves her some good chocolate cake.  All in due time.

Before everyone left for the night, the kids got in their Chrismas pj's and got ready to go look at some Christmas lights.  They lasted about 10 minutes before falling asleep in the car. Thank goodness. 
Santa's helpers had lots to do!

Christmas Eve Surprises

Christmas Eve brought many fun things--but it started out with an email for Jackson...

from SANTA!!  He was so pumped!

Santa told him that he'd been a good boy this year and always used good manners like his parents asked of him.  He also told him that he knew he really wanted a Nintendo Wii.  When he said that, Jackson looked at me and said, "Johnny told him!" 
(Thank you, Johnny the Elf, for relaying this very important message) 

Madison was equally as happy when she opened her letter from Santa.  It came with a very official looking certificate saying that she was on his Nice List.  Pretty impressive!  She was most impressed by the fact that it also mentioned her good friend, Bryn.  When we read that part of the letter, her eyes lit up, and she said, "He knows Bryn!"  I couldn't help but break out in a huge smile, as I remembered getting my own letter from Santa many years ago.  It talked about how he knew Amanda was my best friend and that just sealed the deal for me that Santa was indeed very real. 
I love the magic of Christmas.  So very much.

Twas two nights before Christmas...

and all through the house, there were three munchkins stirring, but thank goodness, no mouse!

Sweet Lila Lou was all dressed up and ready to mingle...

and all three elves were ready to play Kris Kringle.

So we packed up our sleigh and headed over to Cantera, and the girls gave their Boom a great big reception. 

Gigi's favorite guy met her at the tree

and very soon there was unwrapping of gifts by all three.

We enjoyed our visit with Papaw and Granny and were anxiously awaiting the big visit from Santy!

Power Rangers and Cookies

Day four of Christmas break and we are doing well!  Thank goodness for the nice weather. 

The Power Rangers really needed to get outside and run...

and fight big monsters that might be lurking in our backyard.

With Casey, Emily and Mia in our house, I doubt any monsters will stick around for long!

"Mia" was not a fan of her hood and quickly hollered at "Emily" to take it off. 

After we fought off the bad guys and played a lot of football and soccer while the girls ran around on the trampoline, it was time to bake some Christmas sugar cookies.  All three kids got to choose between a bell, snowman or gingerbread man and then ice and decorate them after they were ready.

Let's just say that there's a reason I didn't get any pics of the actual decorating.  Lila and Maddie both went just a tad bit overboard with the sprinkles!  It's hard to watch them all at once!  And all three tried to eat the icing right out of the container.  Betty Crocker, we love you.

Birthday Breakfast with Memaw

Yesterday was Memaw's birthday, so the kids and I decided to throw her a little party.  We picked up Starbucks and donuts and showed up bright and early. 

It was so fun!  Memaw made bacon in anticipation of our arrival and there was a certain little boy who was very thankful.  He claims to have eaten 7 slices.  The kid loves bacon.
I know, mom of the year here, for letting him do that!

Perhaps it was a good move on Memaw's part.  Jackson was feeling so grateful, that he asked where her vacuum cleaner was--the kid was all about getting her carpet as clean as possible.  It brought back memories of a few Christmas's ago when all he wanted from Santa was a "keening cart with keening supplies!" 

When I told the kids to get their shoes on before we left the house, Lila shimmied upstairs and came out wearing her pink cowboy boots.  She is crazy about these boots!  Sometimes she puts them on for story time before bed. 

After our yummy breakfast and J's carpet cleaning session, it was time for some Christmas carols on the piano.  Who knew Memaw could play the piano so well?  Not me!

Memaw played the whole book, with some help from the little ones, and Jackson sang along with most of the songs.  It was one of the most enjoyable mornings we have had in a long time. 

Happy Birthday, Shelley!  We love you.

Thank you!

We asked our guests to bring either a toy and/or a coat to donate to kids who may not otherwise get any presents for Christmas this year.  It's one of my favorite traditions about the Santa party and I really think it hits home with our kids about how others may not be so fortunate.

This year we donated them to the Garland Fire Department and they were so excited when we opened our trunk.  This picture doesn't really do it justice since all the toys are in the minivan with the never ending trunk space, but I assure you there were a lot! 

Thank you so much to all of our friends and family who donated. 
You helped make Christmas for lots of little kids this year.

Santa Came to Town!

Santa came to town a week early last night and stopped at our house!  We had our annual Santa Claus party and I really feel like I enjoy it more and more each year.

This year we had some new kids attend the party--Maria brought her nephew and neice and we were so glad.  Jackson and Shane had a blast together and wrestled each other all night! 

Big thanks to this crew for all of their help before the party started.  The four grandparents also were a big help--I think at this point they were probably wrangling the kids:)

This year we set up some crafts in the Reindeer Gameroom (aka our study).  The kids enjoyed coloring a Santa pic, writing letters to Santa and making cute Christmas tree crafts.  I wasn't sure how this idea would go over, but the craft room filled up very quickly! 

We were very thankful that our cousins from Houston were able to come in for the party.  Madison loved playing with the Michetti girls so much.

After most of the families had arrived and it was dark outside, it was time to go find Santa Claus.  Maddie eagerly led the way!

I gave the kids jingle bell necklaces...

and they wore them around their necks while singing "Jingle Bells" as we walked down the street. 

Just as we had finished singing look who appeared down the street!  It really was like a scene straight out of a movie.  All the kids stopped dead in their tracks and just took in the moment.  Then they gained their composure and ran up to meet him.

"Hi Santa!!"

After Santa had greeted everyone, we headed inside for story time.  Just as he had sat down to read Twas the Night Before Christmas, he asked "where's Jackson?"  My shy guy reluctantly raised his hand and Santa asked him to come over to him.  Then Santa told him that he knew Johnny the Elf (our Elf on the Shelf)!  He said that Johnny had been reporting good things to him about Jackson and the girls just the night before.  His eyes were as big as saucers!

While Jackson was trying to wrap his head around the fact that Johnny was in tight with Santa, the kids all enjoyed the story.  After it was over, Santa talked to the kids for a few minutes and reminded them that he loves chocolate chip cookies and milk.  You could just see all of them making a mental note of that little fact.

 

Then it was time for the kids to hop on Santa's lap and tell him what they would like for Christmas.  This sweet girl asked for an American Doll (her cousins brought theirs so that's where she got it, I guess!)

I'm pretty sure this was the biggest hug Santa got all night:)

Love this so much--too bad sweet Lila was seriously scared of Santa this year.

Thank goodness she agreed to at least let me hold her near Santa!  It was a big step considering that the minute we encountered him outside she began saying "No! No!" 
She did make sure to be on the far side, though.

I'm so glad my family could all be at the party this year...

...and Jackson is thankful for the animal crackers that he got from Mrs. Claus.

Uncle Andrew declared it a "christmas miracle!" whenever Lila ran all the way across the dining room and into his arms:)

Daddy and I mingled separately most of the night, but we did get one sweet picture together with our youngest.

When it was time for our family pic with all of the Hays's, Lila reverted back to her "no!" phase.  He asked if she wanted to touch his hat.  Her answer?  "No!"  He asked if she wanted to feel his beard.  Her answer?  "No!"  Oh well, can't say he didn't try!

I'm so glad all 11 of us were able to come--we had the newlyweds on the left and one of the cutest couples I've seen in a long time on the right:)

After everyone had a chance to visit with Santa, it was time for him to get on back to the North Pole. 



With Santa gone we were able to visit with our friends a little bit more.  Many of our high school friends were here, which I think is so fun.  



Lila got to hang out with her buddy Sawyer...

and I got to hang out with my sister and cousins. 

By the end of the night Lila had really attached herself to Hannah's American Doll.  Oh my. 
Thank goodness a doll from Target will suffice for her right now. 

Thanks so much to all of our friends and family who came last night!  We loved getting to see all of you and hope you have a very Merry Christmas.