Wordless Wednesday...almost

I will never have a truly wordless post.  I always have something to say!  Elena has been sick since Saturday with good and bad moments.   Christmas Day was pretty good....

Happy girl discussing Mary, Jesus, and Joseph

Today was not so good.  This was Elena hiding in her drawer to avoid any of us....

So I finally decided we needed to visit Dr. Irani and now she has to use her inhaler every 4 hours while awake.  Hopefully she perks up quickly!

Merry Christmas

After all the preparations and planning, today was over in a blink of an eye or so it seemed.  The best gift was everyone slept until 7:10 or later...simply amazing!  Then it was off to the races.  Everyone was so excited to open the gifts.

Ready to go!

Elena was much more participatory this year and it was fun to watch.  Jonah, as he did last year, stopped to play with every gift.  This included reading new books!  Emma was super gracious about everything she received and was kind enough to allow Elena to open some of her presents.  Samuel just kept asking for his next present.

Elena loved her baby from Santa

Reading his new Magic Tree House book with presents still to be opened

A bike repair stand...a total surprise for him

an iPad....wow what a surprise!

Samuel was excited about his DS, but not as excited as Jonah

Emma loved all her accessories for McKenna

Playing with their new Beyblade track

Some of the mess to clean

Our new stack of games and movies

After the madness it was time for breakfast.  I made orange cranberry scones as soon as I woke up to hold us over until breakfast.  Drew prepared a feast of scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, sausage, and orange slices.  It was yummy!  We read the last devotion for our Jesse Tree...the story of Jesus' birth as our prayer.  Drew was the lucky one to hang the last ornament on our tree.

The rest of the day was spent playing with new toys, cleaning, and relaxing.   It was a great day!   There was lots of playing with play-dough, the DS's, legos, and babies.  Emma played with her doll stuff most of the day and then baked red velvet mini cupcakes in her new Ultimate Easy Bake Oven. 

Elena and Emma enjoying some homemade Eggnog!

Jonah hanging from the tree

Emma doing a Santa hat handstand

Our day was topped off with Christmas dinner.  We usually just snack all day, but with a marathon looming I wanted to eat a little more healthy.  So, we had ham, baked sweet potatoes, green beans, cranberry salad, and rolls.  I bought sparkling cider for the kids and they loved it!  After dinner we lit the Christ candle and reviewed the meaning of each candle.  It was the perfect way to end our Christmas celebration.

Today was perfect.  Everyone loved everything they received.  They were also just as excited to give their gifts, which is the real meaning of today!

Merry Christmas from all of us!!

Merry Christmas Eve

I love Christmas Eve.  The kids are so excited and filled anticipation.  We finish all the last minute things for Christmas.  Today that meant wrapping two gifts, some cleaning, and choir camp practice.  Drew also went on one last shopping trip!

Every year we give the kids new pajamas.  I want clean and pretty looking children in all the Christmas pictures.  They know what they are getting, but are always thankful for a new set of pj's.  It is getting harder and harder to buy cute and appropriate ones for Emma and Jonah.

We had to be at church at 4:15 so Emma and Jonah could practice one last time for the Children's Christmas Eve service.  Drew came closer to 5p with Samuel and Elena.  This year the children performed "Arrest These Merry Gentlemen" and it was wonderful.  The children sing, act out the show, and play bells or chimes.  Emma was the Goat Napper and had two lines.  I was very proud of her because she does not like public speaking.  Of course, she was wonderful!  Jonah was Joseph...no lines, but a very important role in the Christmas story!

Emma practicing

Jonah kind of practicing!

Emma playing bells

Jonah playing chimes

Unfortunately I missed the end of the show because Elena threw up on me.  It was an awesome experience.  I am hoping her coughing fit was the cause and not a stomach bug.  Time will tell.  We left church pretty quickly after the service because there was still stuff to do and Elena was ready for bed...poor girl!

Even after throw up, Elena is still cute!

Drew stayed to sing at the 7:30 service while the rest of us returned home.  First on the to do list was to sprinkle reindeer food and carrots in the front yard.  Every year Kelsey sends Christmas balls filled with the food.  The kids loved putting out the food for Rudolph and his friends!  Elena insisted the carrots go outside as well because the reindeer don't come inside...smart girl!

Then it is time for the Christmas pj's and putting out cookies and milk for Santa.  Emma writes the note for everyone and always asks for a reply!   I put NORAD on the computer for Emma, Jonah, and Samuel.   When Santa gets close it is time for bed!

Glued to NORAD!

After everyone is tucked safely and warmly in bed, it is time to finish the preparations...fill the stockings and put the presents under the tree while watching It's a Wonderful Life.

Poor sick baby

He was pretending to be asleep.  Jonah is always the last one to fall asleep.

We are ready to celebrate Christmas in the morning....

Luke 2:10-12    But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manager."

The Ellie Antics

It has been a busy month.  We have done many fun things as a family and made lots of great memories.  However, I don't think anyone has been busier than our Elf Ellie.  Ellie can be a little mischievous at times, but it is all in good fun.  The kids have loved knowing where Ellie was and what he was doing each morning.  I wondered if Emma would still believe in Ellie and the magic of Christmas this year.  She is 9 and wise beyond her years at times.  I do think she was skeptical and just played along for Jonah, Samuel, and Elena.  However, as the month progressed I think she still does believe.  Upon returning from a sleepover, the very first thing she did was search out Ellie.  That made my momma heart happy. 

Anyway, being that I document almost everything on my blog here are most of Ellie's antics!

He rode into our home on a reindeer!

Sneaking Hershey Kisses

Flying High

Making a snow (or flour) angel

Wrapping presents

Putting together a puzzle

Eating the extra icing from Elena's cake

Having some coca and an Oreo

Eating some cereal for breakfast

Stuck in a tree

Reading to his friends

Trying to escape the dinosaurs

Sleeping with Elena's little baby doll

Roasting marshmallows

Playing solitaire

All tangled in lights

leaving a little note on the family room window

Little presents for his loves

Ellie and I are both tired.  I think our creatives juices have been used up this Christmas!