Getting ready for Christmas

Getting ready for Christmas is a lot of fun! We try and make Jesus' birth central and do plenty of fun things to make the season a special one. This year we started going through the advent calendar. The boys loved it! Every night after dinner we would get out a blanket and pillows and gather in front of the hearth to hear part of the Christmas story, light the candle/s for whichever week we were on (hope,joy,love,peace), sing some fun Christmas songs, and pray for the family's who we received christmas cards from that day. Sometimes we would play with the kids nativity - showing the story of Jesus' birth. I must say this new addition to our christmas tradition is one we'll keep! Everyone just loved it!

Getting ready for Christmas wouldn't be the same without including a trip to Sam's to pick up our "real" tree! we just love the smell of a real tree! This year was a bit different though...the first tree FELL, fully decorated 2 times! It was so big the stand didnt support it well. Even though we love our real trees, this is the last year we will do this for awhile. It's such a busy time of life with the boys being so young that we dont need anything "extra" to have to take care of. Real ones require some maintenance. :)

It's tradition to make Grandma Daily's fudge to give away. We love her fudge and always want to share the 'yummyness" with our friends and neighbors!

Play dough fun with cookie cutters making snowmen and snakes. :)

We went to the square with dad to enjoy the lights and a pizza at "Damn good Pies". Everyone had fun! The ponies on the square are always a hit!

We made a visit to the nursing home to visit the people in the North Hills health and rehab! They just love our kiddos and I love the way this teaches the kiddos to love and serve others.

We are excited about Christmas!!! <