December is a big month

As soon as Thanksgiving is over and December arrives the speed of things increase and we get so busy; parties, gifts, shopping and Santa. Which is fun in and of itself but I really want the baby to have memories of Christmas to be more about celebrating the birth of our Savior and not so much about Santa and toys. I do love December and the holidays but we are determined this year to really enjoy the peace and joy of this season.

One thing we decided would help is to make an advent calendar using my grandmas's wall hanging. We plan out and carry out one service/gift each day as well as a little scripture calendar of all the prophecies and events around Christ's birth. We are only a few days into December but it has brought a calming spirit to the holidays. And I think a different focus.

Everything about our Christmas decorations has to change this year. We still have yet to get a tree because of the babies and there business (the dog and baby K climb and jump off and onto everything now). We will find on that will work and it will be nice to have a few little ornaments out.

Thanksgiving

We have so much to be thankful for this year! It was also a great Thanksgiving with good friends and family.

Can you tell we all just ate a lot of food? Baby was already sleeping and we did not even take a picture of the group together. Everything was really good though.

These 2 have always had a special something! Adam taught baby boyo some great new things like, "you wanta wrestle! elbow and knuckles" We shared a few of those talents on Sunday in nursery. yeah! They had a great time together.

we just love these friends-we enjoyed some football, shopping (black friday crowds shopping), salon visits! last minute photoshoots and late nights talking. It was really fun break and we were glad the Lynes drove all the way from tennessee to hang with us.

I mean how cute are they!!

mommy love

How cute is this kid!!

craft on...

We are just starting to think about Christmas and plans for all the holidays. I made my first homemade ornament this year. A little owl!!

I am so excited for the holidays this year.

a little light in the distance

Last week we received the TPR (termination of parental rights) paperwork with a court date on November 29th. It is the first step in a long process but this is good news!

Just a funny babyism: Last week we were shopping and walked through the Christmas isle, santa. Baby got really excited called Santa, Santa! Then we kept shopping. And he continued to call for Santa. Yelling, "Santa, wher r u, Santa!" People actually stopped to watch him, laughing. cute!

And the children's museum has a special football display right now. Chris was very excited!

apple picking with the nanas

What a great trip with the grandma and nana! We all miss them. They came for Time Out for Women but that was just an excuse. We went shopping, pumpkin patches, apple picking, farmers market, out to eat and just staying up way too late talking and laughing. Wish we had more of these long weekends.

Letchworth with the nanas