December--the part with Christmas

Our first Sunday back from Thanksgiving, we lit the first candle of Advent.  Yes, we trusted Hadley with a lit flame and no, she didn't burn down the church.

This was the first snow of the season.  It wasn't much but the girls were so EXCITED.

It wasn't long before we got even more.  I'm not a big fan of cold but the girls are their father's children and they would play outside all day if I let them (but only if they can have hot chocolate as soon as they come in).

This is the only picture of Walk Through Bethlehem I got this year.  Aren't they cutest little Bethlehemians you have ever seen?

 Our December days were full of fun and busy-ness as usual.   We love Advent activities and we did one most days.  This day we made homemade ornaments out of felt. 

 Then we decorated Christmas cookies with our dear friends.

We went Dollar store shopping for each other.  Always a favorite tradition.

 Since we were with Nana and Papa on Thanksgiving, we weren't going to be able to see them for Christmas and since we are spoiled, we got to open their presents a week early.  The girls were almost as excited as me :)

And Nana and Papa know how to pick awesome presents!

We went Christmas caroling with the youth group and had a gift exchange at the church.  It was so fun with the girls this year because they know some of the songs and really got into it.

 This couple was so nice and without them asking or anything Joni walked over and crawled up on the couch next to them.  It was too sweet not to take a picture.

 Hadley and Mara showing off their gifts.

 And my awesome family trying them out.

More Christmas dresses...

 We made some Christmas shaped mini pizzas one night.

 Hadley picked the star which looks more like a kite and Joni the heart.

 That night we had the youth girls over for some graham cracker house building.  Hadley and Joni each did their own.  They did pretty good....eating all the candy :)

 Here's my Big Ben tower thing.

 Christmas Eve we had the Coles over for lunch....GUMBO!  We love it!  And now so do they :)

 Then we went to the Christmas Eve service.  Sarah Cole curled their hair super cute and we were ready to celebrate Jesus!

 Andy sang (which I love) Oh Holy Night (which I love) and it was awesome.

 Then we went home, put our Christmas sweats on and started a fire.

and opened all of our presents.  And Joni finally got her "American Doll." 

Enjoying our evening together as a family.

 Then we fell asleep in the living room watching movies.  MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!  The next morning was perfect...being together and enjoying all our blessings.

 Aebleskivers and bacon for breakfast...

 I love this picture because Hadley is changing her doll and in the background Joni is doing the exact same thing.

Hadley's new lego set from GGP.

 We took some banana bread to the police station for all the people who were working on Christmas Day.  They gave Andy some looks for his amazing outfit, but besides that were thankful.

 Then off to the Terrell's for Christmas dinner.  Yummo!  Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, green bean casserole, angel rolls, and wonderful friends!

 The spread.

Our birthday cake for Jesus this year!

 Black for sin, red (or pink) for the blood He shed for us, and white for the righteousness He gives those who believe in Him.

 Eating cake and ice cream!

 And doing what I love best...laying around and visiting.....maybe even taking a little nap.

And then my favorite moment of the night....when the girls came running upstairs to put on a show they had been practicing downstairs and my childhood came flooding back.  

 Aunt Courtney and Uncle Shaun got them Just Dance Kids.  We play it a lot!  We love to dance!

 Oma and Opa came the Saturday after Christmas and I will post those pictures later.  A couple more...Hadley is growing up so fast.  She loves to make us meals when she is able.  Her favorite: peanut butter and honey sandwiches...without any help from us.  *sniff*

And finally, about three hours before my parents got here we finished the downstairs bathroom.   It was in need of some paint and new decor and I loved how it turned out.  We got new windows in our basement when we bought the house and I kept this one and painted it yellow.

 Hope you all had a Christmas full of blessings!  Love to you all.

Thanksgiving in Branson

Well my husband is the best ever and let me decorate for Christmas before we went to Branson for Thanksgiving which is a big Huber no-no.  I will admit, I was sooo excited to come home and have it all done.

We met Andy's parents and his Uncle Lance (his Dad's youngest brother) and his family in Branson on Wednesday.  Janet and Kemper rented a really nice 2 bedroom condo...the kids played, we ate, and enjoyed every minute of our time.  Lance and Stephanie have 2 kids, Grant and Anna who are a little older than the girls.  They had fun playing together.  First thing on the agenda, face painting :)

 and some hand painting too.

Those are some super cute girls!

 The condo was attached to a small golf course and so we took a couple walks and the let the kids run off some energy in the nice weather we had.

 Practicing some cartwheels...

 We found these on our walk....this is ice and the water somehow came out of these plants like this.  So crazy and very cool.

 Anna and Hadley played so well together. 

 And Grant and Joni really connected too.  He was like a big brother, watching over her.  So so sweet.

The three lovely ladies...

Happy Thanksgiving!

After our after turkey induced naps, we all headed to Silver Dollar City to ride some rides and have some fun!  

A late night snack....hot dog surrounded with spiral spuds....only at amusement parks :)

 Inside Grandpa's Fun House...it was fun even though it gave you a headache.

 The whole gang.

One of the best things we did was go to the Sight and Sound theater and see the Christmas story.  It was amazing...real animals running up and down the aisles, great acting, wonderful singing, and the girls were riveted the whole show.  It was amazing and made me so thankful for a God who saves. 

 Drinking from some boot cups the condo had...they thought it was funny.

Playing all together outside.  So cute.

I love this picture because Hadley took it and she did a pretty good job...it isn't blurry or anything :)

 Of the 3 families, we had the shortest distance to travel so Lance and Steph left early Saturday morning and Nana and Papa stayed around for a little while longer.....for some shopping :)

 After they left, we went back to Silver Dollar City to ride some more rides.  The tickets we had were good for 2 days and it was worth it.  The girls were so happy, the weather was gorgeous, and we still got home without it being too late.

It's that time of year again...when Oma goes Christmas dress shopping and blesses our socks off.  

 They love books....and we love that they love books.  

  Hope you all had a thankful Thanksgiving.  Love to you all.