Our Little Tradition

Elli tops the tree...Merry Christmas to all

Christmas Morning

Elli had a very specific list this year for Santa:
Rody Horse
yo-yo
Piggy Bank
Robe
Bike (I helped her add that b/c she really needed it).

I think Santa obliged her.

  See how excited about having her own piggy bank?

 And Jackson got just what he has always played with everywhere we go...his own train table. I think he will grow into it but look at his little face.  Precious (until later when he got frustrated and starting throwing trains...which is why I say he will grow into it).

I want to remember this little face forever

Christmas Eve

So we had to do our normal Christmas Eve routines.

Most importantly we had church where Elli sang her songs again. We worshiped Him, the reason for the celebration and the ultimate example of sacrifice and love.

After the service, we came home to hot soup in the crock pot.  Elli had to spread her reindeer food out on the lawn and then we had to make our cookies for Santa of course.  Shameful admission - this is the first time I've made cookies from scratch and not sliced and baked them. Santa liked them and ate a ton so I guess they were ok?

I'm not going to lie, Christmas gets more and more fun each year. Sharing in the excitement, the awe, the wonder of Christmas with these two is something I wouldn't trade for the world. I love this little family and the way these children remind me of the baby in a manger.  Their tender hearts remind me of the heart and love of my Savior.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Christmas Decorating

Ok here are a few pictures from Christmas decorating. I didn't have my camera working but we had a blast. Elli was so helpful putting ornaments up this year and surprisingly Jackson hasn't taken them down.  I can see why this will get to be more and more fun each year. The sparkle in Elli's eye is so delightful!

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Elli sings at Christmas time.  What a cute lil angel!

Breakfast With Santa

We had the pleasure of going to Breakfast with Santa this past weekend with some great friends! Elli really enjoyed all of the festivities but was most excited about chatting it up with Santa!

Christmas Parade

So I misplaced my camera for a bit meaning no real pictures of Thanksgiving or Christmas Parades. Only these few that I got on my phone.  But we had a great visit in Maryland and we had a great time at our annual Christmas parade too!

I love this picture so much! 

Grandma Waller's trampoline makes for crazy hair!

This FINALLY happened 7 miles away from home...

Parade with her buddy!

Maryland Pictures

We had a great time in Maryland, even if we were a day late.  We were showered with amazing presents...everyone was too generous.  We came back with an iPad thanks to Uncle Caleb!!!  Can you believe it?  I LOVE that thing and Elli does too.  I'm not sure Jacob gets much time on it though =)  It snowed a little while we were there and Elli loved that too.  Sorry again not so many pictures.  It is a lot harder to take pictures with two kid around - especially one that is learning to crawl and pull up!
Thanks Grandma Waller for sending me my camera and jacket today!  Elli was THRILLED with the books you included!!

A little bedtime story with Grandma Waller

Bring on the snow!

Allow Me To Vent

This is really not a huge deal in the scheme of problems people deal with but I"m going to vent anyways...

By the end of the day Christmas day both (yes both) of my kids had fevers above 101.

On December 26th I am at the doctor confirming my fears.  Both (yes again both) of them have ear infections.

Merry Christmas to us!

*end rant*

Bender Christmas Eve Eve Party

We had our annual Christmas Eve Eve party last night and it was a blast!  

Christmas is soo much fun through a child's eyes.

The Bender Girls + Jackson!

The whole crew 

The annual sing-a-long!  Jacob LOVES it!

Love the look on her face here...

I think she likes it!

Christmas wears me out!