CHRISTmas in the Land before Time

Tons of presents and family fun

Worker James ready for the job site

A new Trampoline...perfect for them

A Great Great Day

Visiting our Great Great Aunt Janay

James & Maggie took a day trip to visit family and friends

Breakfast at Chick Fil A...less than $20

Snacks from Edgar's Bakery...about $20

Lunch at Ruby Tuesday...more than $20

and

Sleeping the entire drive home...WORTH EVERY PENNY!!

CHRISTmas Day

happy birthday JESUS!

James and Maggie love starting CHRISTmas day by singing happy birthday Jesus!! This is a wonderful way to talk about our Lord and Savior and emphasize the beauty of His birth, and the real meaning for the day.
Each year, we keep with our tradition of three gifts, representative of the three gifts Jesus received.
This year they received a slide, puzzles and books. Due to the weather...the indoor slide is a HUGE HIT!!!
 

James & Maggie enjoyed helping their Dada open his gift...

CHRISTmas Eve

James & Maggie chose M&M sugar cookies, apples, cheese & milk as snack options for Santa this year. 

They were very excited about CHRISTmas this year, with lots of questions for how it all happens. 

Trying to keep it simple and remind them of the birthday we would celebrate...

they were just amazed and enjoyed taking it all in!

The word on the street...GALOSHES

James and Maggie got new umbrellas, rain coats and galoshes. These make for hours of rainy day fun!!

Some Gigi Goodness

Who can resist the yummy goodness of Gigi's Cupcakes!!!

Especially when they look like CHRISTmas trees!!

  

a visit with Santa

James wants a "BIG TRUCK" & Maggie wants "PRINCESS Dress Up Clothes"

CHRISTmas Choir

This is James and Maggie's first year in Children's Choir.

They were excited to go to choir each Wednesday Night and learn the wonderful CHRISTmas music.

They were quite comical in their first performance, but knowing they did not scream or cry is GREAT!

The Nutcracker

This year, with Maggie enjoying her ballet class, we decided she might enjoy the Nutcracker ballet.  Enjoy was not the word...she loved it, she found it spectacular, and extremely beautiful. She sat through three hours of dance and never complained.  She was unsure of the intermission, thinking it was over; however once the dancing began she was mesmerized.

Ornament Party

We joined with friends to celebrate the CHRISTmas season

by having a fun filled day of ornament making.

Small wreaths made of buttons, painted wooden ornaments, and of course snacks!

Yummy Snacks

Fabulous decorations

Fun Crafts

button, button whose got the button

handsome button wreath maker

a concentrating princess



in the attic??

We needed to go into the attic, and with two curious kiddos you cannot help but take them with you.  They had so much fun looking and talking about all the things they saw...

"mama, here are the beds we sleep in, when we were little"
"mama, what about these high chairs, only when we were little did we need those"
"mama, what is this string for...can I pull it so the light will go out?" "NO, don't touch anything"
"mama, when can we come back, into the attic?"

I love new adventures...curiosity and all!

CHRISTmas preview...

James and Maggie with their tree...bought for their room...to be filled with their ornaments

On the roof to begin the lights...this year we plan to add something new.

(stay tuned for a CHRISTmas tree tutorial)

A celebration of Thanks!

God , we thank you for this food,

For rest and home and all things good;

For wind and rain and sun above,

But most of all for those with love.

God bless all those that I love,

God bless all those that love me,

God bless all those that love those that I love,

and all those that love those who love me.

Day by day, dear Lord, of Thee

Three things I pray;

To see Thee more clearly,

Love Thee dearly,

Follow thee more nearly,

Day by day.

The Great Cookie Swap

The Bake and Cook Co. held their 3rd Annual Cookie Swap on November 14th.

This type of event is not my "norm", but when it comes to new events for

Mama and Daughter to participate in, sign us up!!!

With recipe (Old Fashioned Oatmeal Raisin Cookies) in hand -

ingredients out and organized...we begin! 

First, we preheat the oven...

 Mix all ingredients, and drop by large spoonfulls

Bake until BEAUTIFUL!!

the secret...GOLDEN RAISINS 

Seal them in an air tight container, and travel with them to the 3rd Annual Cookie Swap

Receive your name tag, and pose pretty for the picture!! 

35 cookies, and they were ALL GREAT!!! 

Leaves...

Leaves, LEAves, and MORE LEAVES...makes for a fun afternoon of playing! 

James and Maggie had a friend over to play...and what a fun filled afternoon we had!

The closest moment to having triplets! Fills this mama's heart to see happy kids!!!

Praise God for sweet, sweet kiddos!