Christmas kick-off

Leading up to Christmas vacation we had the traditional Winter Wonderland evening with a visit with Santa, dinner and crafts for all county employees and their families.

 Face painting! Khloe wanted to stand next to the girls for the photo too, but she didn't want to stand the correct way so we could actually see her painted cheek.

 Oh! There you can slightly see her painted cheek!

 Kayla was eager to see Santa, Addie resisted and went only because Kayla was with her and Khloe almost - but tried really hard not to - cried. The consensus from all the girls this year was "Frozen". When Santa asked Khloe what she wanted, Khloe said "Frozen". Then she smiled stiffly, but politely for the photo and then asked "Can I get down now?"

Kayla, Khloe, Addison, Lexie

It is the last day of school until next year! What a great way to kick-off our 14-day vacation - a Christmas party at school in the morning, Santa Clause 2 movie with all the 1st grades in the afternoon, and present opening with Missy and Addison at night. Four more days and counting!

 The theme for this year was "Frozen". It's all the girls have asked for, and it's what they all got!!!

Cherry, Oh Cherry

I haven’t posted anything about Cherry yet and I’m not really into posting pictures of our elf either. She did return this year (even a few days early!), her 4^th year to our home (Really? Have we had a relationship for this long? Wow!), and the girls enjoy the thrill of searching her out together each morning. I do have a funny – well, depends on who you ask – story to share about Cherry’s latest escapade. I share because one day the girls will find it humorous to read this.

There was an elf crisis narrowly averted in our house.

Cherry was found zip lining across the living room one morning, but tragically later in the day, she fell. How does a magic elf who's living is to fly just lay face down on the floor without moving? DREADFUL. Kayla was concerned, puzzled and cautious. Khloe did what any helpful little kid would and picked up Cherry TO THE COMPLETE HORROR of Kayla whose gasp was so loud it could be heard down the street I'm sure. (If you’re familiar with the Elf on the Shelf story, you know that touching your elf is strictly forbidden). Scene: Kayla in distress and shock, Khloe in tears, and me trying SO hard not to laugh out loud that I had to turn my back! I had some serious elf damage control to do, and fast. I’m positive it took Kayla a solid two minutes before she picked her jaw up from off the ground. Somehow I talked my way through it, but not without a million questions from Kayla and tears from Khloe for touching Cherry. Yes, the elf magic was almost gone forever in our house.

Cherry is fun (well for 50% of us) and one day this gimmick will be over, but the REAL truth of Christmas won’t. Long before Cherry arrived and long after Cherry is gone, there is someone constantly watching our behavior, hoping we make good choices, and do our best to love others. Jesus is the REAL PERSON we should be seeking to please. We need to always remember that instead of being good to get lots of presents under the tree, we should strive to do good in order to glorify our Heavenly Father. Thanks to my cousin Jenn for this powerful reminder!

Merry Christmas!!!!

 Here is Khloe getting dangerously close to Cherry, without touching her. She wanted to get some of the sprinkles Cherry made a mess of on the counter.

Quiz

Yes, we have have snow. And yes, both girls love it. And yes, we have been playing in it all weekend.

But here's a question for you: is this Kayla or Khloe?

 Kayla or Khloe?

Christmastime magic

I am counting down the days. I would love to count down the hours, but there are too many yet, and I'm already crazy-excited for Christmas, so I won't torture myself with those details. Our home is BURSTING with excitement for Christmas this year! Creating the experiences, memories and traditions of Christmastime on behalf of a two and six year old is just the most wonderful thing EVER. I don't think it could be any more perfect. Our joy, over-abundant blessings, love for each other, cookie party anticipations, Christmas programs, time with family, magical fun, special gifts purchased and hidden away - it's all come together.

So, is it Christmas yet? We are ready!

In fact, this morning there's so much excitement in my heart that I can't sleep. So I'm up early before anyone else, with my cup of hot coffee, a big fuzzy blanket wrapped around my legs, soft Christmas music in the background, snow lightly falling outside, the light of the Christmas tree against the blackness of outside, and the light and warmth of the fireplace. And I'm dreaming happy thoughts of Christmas morning, feeling so blessed for all that God's showered on us. It's way more than we need, that's for sure!

Please God, let me always remember this moment, this feeling, this magic of what it's like to experience Christmastime through the hearts and minds of a two and six year old.

This week at work, two of my co-workers were having a conversation in my office about their upcoming family Christmas plans. They were discussing the fact how they have to come up with new traditions this year because they have teenagers.  And teenagers say things like "Do I have to?" and "Ugh. That doesn't sound fun." when it comes to family get-togethers and traditions. And the special spirit of Christmas had lost it's magic. I had to stop my co-workers mid-sentence because I told them they were depressing me! I said I don't want to think about that because my girls at this age are so far from that right now! Christmastime is still magical and special and fun! I want this moment that we have right now to always be in our home and in all of our hearts!

So for now I have to contain myself. Somehow I have to find the patience to wait 11 more days!

Oh, and it FINALLY snowed!! Yea! It's still bitter cold but at least we have some snow to go along with it. Khloe has been asking for weeks to build a snowman and I'm tired of giving her the bad news that there's not enough snow to do that. Now she finally can! Kayla said, "This is our first time ever playing in snow!" Well, it's the first time this season for sure. Last winter seems like soooo long ago and we hardly any snow last year worthy of snowman building or sledding. Let it snow, snow and snow some more!

Christmas Program

This was Kayla's first time participating in the children's Christmas program at church! 

The 1st-5th graders performed "Christmas Around the World" focusing on how our missionary families celebrate Christmas in different cultures and bring the message of God to different countries. They did such a wonderful job! Our Children's Ministry team is such a blessing and do such a great job with the kids. I loved seeing all ages come together to celebrates God's gift of love! A great kick-off to the Christmas season!

Can you spot Kayla?

Frozen party!

On our first day of Thanksgiving vacation we celebrated by having a Frozen party and catching the first-day release of Frozen in 3D... with 15 of our closest friends! That's 10 kids (9 girls & Bryce, Khloe is missing from the photo) and 5 adults. It was a great day that continued long into the night! 

The movie was awesome too, so many parts made us (the adults) laugh (obnoxiously) out loud. It is about two independent, self-sufficient sisters who conquer a curse with an act of true love between themselves. Check out one of our favorite songs from the movie. We can't get enough of our new favorite snowman. Forget Frosty, we love Olaf. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFatVn1hP3o

Our Thanksgiving holiday continued with a fun afternoon and evening with cousins and family at Grandpa and Grandma F's home.

 Haha! Just look at all the fun they're having and the excitement on their faces! Besides playing on their iPads, they spent most of their time playing pool in the basement, playing with toys, eating popcorn, and watching a movie. The adults did the typical Thanksgiving Day routine - drank, ate, sat by the fire, watched football, ate some more, looked through Black Friday ads, ate some more and drank some more, and watched Christmas Vacation. Then Kristi and I and Kevin and Erika headed out for some early Black Friday shopping on Thursday night. Kristi and I had so much fun!

Kristi never fails to keep us all looking cool. The latest? Hair Flair. Any one who stepped foot in our house this week got their hair tinseled! Yes, even the twenty and over crowd.

Happy Thanksgiving!

New 'do

Check out my cute new 'do! My first styled hair cut, ever! I love it! Everyone tells me they love it too and that I look so much older.