Merry Christmas Eve 2015

One day to go and everyone is very excited. As is tradition the kids received one gift this morning. It is funny how this gift is given later and later each year. I went running and Emma was still sleeping at 9. I kind of really like the kids starting to sleep later!!

Our day wasn't too crazy. We finished getting ready for Christmas and did our Christmas story activities with the kids.   Then off to church we went. Elena, Samuel, and Jonah were in the Christmas play. Elena was Mary and the boys were shepherds. Being a proud mom I have to say that they did great. Honestly they did!  Everyone remembered their lines and sang so nicely. 

Mary and her shepherds

Yes shepherds wear red converse shoes!

I love our church and think it is especially beautiful at Christmas. Some of my favorite pictures each year are taken by "the forest of trees" at church. 

Once we returned home we prepared for Santa. The cookie and carrot plate was put together. The letter to Santa was written.  And reindeer food was sprinkled in the front lawn. Finally a quick Christmas show was watched before checking out NORAD and going to bed!

 Merry Christmas Eve family and friends!

Our Christmas week traditions

Oh my gosh do I love that my kiddos have off the entire week before Christmas. Emma has off from the gym, football is over, and Jonah practices in the morning. Read we have daytime together and dinners!!  This entire month has been so crazy that feeling the joy and meaning of Christmas has been lacking for me. Now don't get me wrong. There have been moments of "really" and stress this week too, but overall so much better. As a family we have finally had time together at our house.  So, in our time together we have focused on enjoying our Christmas traditions. 

First we went to see Santa. Initially this was one of my "really" moments. On Monday Santa closed for his 3pm lunch at 2:40. I thought Elena was going to burst into tears. So back we went today and another "really" moment happened. Elena didn't want to go....whatever kiddo. We went and Drew got to come as well. Cool little bonus!

Yes it was hot and no one matches, but who cares!  They are smiling and this just might be one of my favorite pictures. 

And from Monday...

Yes Jonah is wearing the same shirt. Don't judge!

The next tradition was decorating gingerbread houses. Each one gets their own house to decorate as they please. I helped Samuel some mostly with putting on icing. Drew helped Elena just a bit more, but most of the work was her creativeness. 

Our last fun tradition is baking and decorating cut out sugar cookies.  We made our cookies today with the AC cranked to 70 because it is so warm! This one gets easier every year as they get older. Samuel and Emma wanted to help roll out the dough and Elena did a bit more of the cookie cutting. Of course this year I decided to add icing instead of just sprinkles to the mix. The results were interesting and just like their houses very similar to their personalities. 

Emma's iced sugar cookies. 

Elena's

Jonah's

Samuel's

Mine

We had a super fun day of baking. These are my favorite cookies, but I hate icing. I guess I won't get to eat as many this year....bummer!

Christmas traditions with this crew are some of my favorite moments with them!

Ellie the Elf

I am not entirely sure who still believes in the magic of the Elf in our house. It doesn't really matter because three of four still search for him (yes they say it is a him even though the name is Ellie) eagerly first thing every morning.  If I have been super clever the search has cut into school prep time a little too much. Other days I just get a sigh from them. Samuel and Elena really want clever and fun. It's a lot of pressure because I am not that clever!!  Thankfully other people are. 

In the name of helping out other moms I thought I would share some of Ellie's fun from this month. After all there are still two more hiding days to go!  

 Ellie returned with a note for the kiddos!

He decorated half of the kitchen with bows. They are still up. 

A little toilet paper fun. 

Ellie had a relaxing day at the pool. 

He listened to some tunes. 

Ellie invited the kids to find the candy canes he took from the tree and hid. 

He was held up by the army men and Samuel just loved this one!

He wrote a teeth brushing reminder. Jonah was concerned about cleaning the mirror. So strange!

Ellie didn't move one night so he apologized mid day with a note and treats. He was forgiven. 

He played war games one day and Samuel loved this one too. 

Ellie tried out for The Voice. 

He prayed at the nativity. 

Ellie brought breakfast. 

Ellie had some high flying antics go wrong one day. 

So there you have it. Some of the best of Ellie from 2015. Do share because I have two more days to go and I am kind of out of good ideas!!