Christmas Eve and Christmas Day....

I have to say that if someone were to ask me what my favorite day of the year is, I would have to say Christmas Eve. I love this day even better than Christmas itself because of all the excitement and anticipation. I also love tradition. Each year we make tons of finger foods like shrimp, meatballs, crackers with a variety of cheese, and many more. Later on in the evening we have yummy treats as you can see below. Gosh, is it any wonder I feel fat after Christmas?? hahaha. We also allow the kids to open up their very own set of pajamas and sometimes slippers, which we did this year. They were pretty excited. :)

Christian has been beating everybody up since he opened up this present...I thought Hulk was supposed to be a good guy.

I debated on whether or not to get the older kids an IPOD this year and after much thought I decided I would rather put that off a few more years. I'm not ready for that yet! Instead we got them each a guitar and some drums just in case they decide to form a band, lol. I thought these guitars would be looked at for about a day and then be old news, but to my pleasant surprise the kids LOVE them. They will all sit in the back room for an hour at a time coming up with different tunes. It's so cute!

Grace is a major lover of dolls. She was pretty proud of these two.

So now that Christmas is over I am ready for SPRING!!!!!! :)

Little Miracles...

Sorry I have no pictures to share with this post, but I just wanted to share something really awesome that happened to us yesterday. We decided with all the snow we would take the kids sledding at the high school where there's a small incline they could sled down. It was quite a walk all the way across the football field in 3 feet of snow. We were huffing and puffing once we finally made it. About an hour into our play Chris says "Oh crap, my keys are gone!!!" Apparently they had been in his pocket, and had fallen through a whole in his zipper. The car was locked and it was slowly sinking in to us both that finding those keys in the huge span of snow we had trudged through and played in, was next to impossible. We decided as a family to say a prayer. Christian said it. All he said was "Dear Heavenly Father...please help us find the keys...in Jesus name, amen." Chris headed down the hill and later told me he prayed silently that the Lord would help him find the keys to show the kids that faith really does work. As he got to the bottom of the hill he stopped, took a big scoop out of the snow, and there were the keys buried underneath snow. We were completely shocked to actually find those keys in just a matter of seconds. Chris and I didn't have much faith that our prayers would be answered, but maybe Christian and the other kids had enough to make it happen. We wouldn't have frozen to death had they not been found, and I am confident we would have been just fine, but we all walked away realizing that God really is everywhere and can make small miracles happen.

Let It Snow Baby!!!

So far everyone I have talked to in my circle of friends does not want the snow to hit. I must be the odd ball because I absolutely and positively LOVE the SNOW!!!!! It finally started in last night while we all slept. We woke up to about 4 inches, and it's still coming down like crazy. Chris took the kids out into it today. Even Grace had a blast! I made them hot cocoa after. There is something about snow that makes the holidays that much more wonderful!!

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

Okay, so yesterday we all loaded up in the SUV to get our Christmas tree. We usually allow the kids to mainly choose our tree, but this year I found this one, and absolutely loved it. They on the other hand hated it. They thought it was too small. HELLO! It looks pretty large to me! I think the Forrest setting gave them the idea it was small. Anyway, that is why Halee doesn't appear very enthusiastic in this first picture. In the end however, especially after seeing how large it truly was once we got it home, they ALL fell in love with our tree.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! I LOVE this time of year!!!!!!

I'm Pregnant!

I already sent out emails and posted on face book, but just in case I missed anyone, we are happily expecting another baby in June!!!! I have basically been sick as usual, but honestly...sicker than usual. I am surviving though, especially knowing this is our last. Only a few more weeks of yuckiness I hope! I'm honestly trying to enjoy every moment even though it hasn't been easy. Knowing it's my last is bitter sweet, but I know and feel it is right. Bring on this last baby! :) :) :)