by: Niki
… ok, I have to confess I’d be lying if I actually said that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year … I do enjoy hearing the song every year at Christmas but I’m always a little bit like “hmmm… if this is the most wonderful time of the year then why am I so stinking stressed out????” This year brought about a lot of discussion in our home as to why we do the things we do and whether they support what we believe Christmas is truly about or if they are actually a distraction from it. Don’t worry I’m not going to go into some theological exhortation as to why we should ban presents, Santa, trees, and lights 🙂 … even though they can certainly become more of an emphasis than they should be. I’m just being honest and sharing that as a woman I become a stressed out mess during the weeks leading up to Christmas. BUT it’s always worth it in the end when all of the family and friends begin celebrating together ~ I LOVE THAT! I love the candlelight services, reading about Jesus’s birth in the gospel of Luke, the late nights, the games, the music, the food, new jammies, and snuggling. So on with the pictures that capture our favorite moments from this Christmas season!
A possible upcoming quartet???
This was taken on the day that Nya sang in her first children’s choir at church ~ we took a video of her performing but forgot to just take a snap shot.
4 Little Angels… wellll… most of the time!
Craft night painting ornaments!
…and the finished results 🙂
Decorating the church night…
The children were asked “what’s one of your favorite things about Christmas?” and Elli’s answer was “crafts”
Nya’s answer was “church”
The children got to decorate the tree downstairs and have a party afterwards!
Meanwhile the grownups decorated the foyer and sanctuary… not sure why the 3 shortest girls got stuck with this job 🙂
Then it was time to decorate OUR house!!
My little Ham, hammin’ it up 🙂
The girls put almost all the ornaments on the tree by themselves!
After decorating the tree Elli went upstairs and changed into this outfit which matches our tree and decor so perfectly!
We’ve walked downtown several times to see the beautiful light show set to music!
This was an absolutely hilarious event called the “Reindog Parade” ~ hundreds of dogs dressed in Christmas costumes paraded downtown! And we got to hold this little cavalier-spaniel dog throughout the parade because he just seemed to like us and climbed right into our lap ~ such a treat!
A couple pics of the house decorated for Christmas
Daddy put on a semi-formal, fast-food progressive dinner and scavenger hunt for the students at Oakridge and us girls were in charge of going ahead of them and setting up the table with candles and table cloths.
Nya wanted to take a picture of Mommy all dressed up for the fancy dinner!
Trying to get a good family photo is nearly impossible for us, so this was the best we could do!
Dinner and fondue night at the neighbors!
Elli playing with some of her new gifts!
Christmas with the Jacksons!!
“Jenga is making us crazy!!!!”
4 Super Heros snuggled up for story time
Exchanging gifts, such fun!
Nope, no snow for Christmas this year
(kinda weird, but I am really enjoying it…shhh!)
Cake decorating time!!!
“Happy birthday Jesus… hope you like frosting…”
Hmmm… can a 3-yr-old be trusted in the dining room alone with a plate full of cupcakes???
After celebrating with friends it was time to pack and drive 6 hours to Mikado to be with family!!
Left to Right:
Cousins Andy, Nicole, Joseph & Samuel Mollison
Aunt Terri and Uncle George Tait
Ty, Niki, Nya, & Elli
Great Grandma Eunice
Nya showing uncle George her new present
Two candles ~ 1 for Nya’s birthday and 1 for Great Grandma Eunice’s birthday
Mommy and the girls putting a puzzle together
Nya drew this picture for Aunt Terri “just from her mind” she says… a pretty cute nativity scene!
So excited about my new running shoes!
Elli painting her new Princess ceramics
And Christmas wouldn’t be complete without an ugly sweater party!
(He even feathered his hair and wore moose socks to match)
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Oh Niki, I so know what you mean about the busy-ness of Christmas. I've decided that the time with friends and family is one of my very favorite parts, more so each year, and it's such a constant intentional pursuit of celebrating Christ rather than the season. Wonderful book along these lines: 25 Days, 26 Ways by Ace Collins. Much love to you all, Jaimee