Sunday, December 29, 2013

Christmas 2013


Christmas was beyond magical this year with a 4 and 3 year old. They loved everything and going to all of the homes we visited. They love going to grandmas and uncle johns because we don't go there often. 

Some of my pictures on my big camera won't load, so these phone pics will have to do for now. 


Our church does a Christmas Eve Eve service and I help teach the boys class and the teachers decided to do a Happy Birthday Jesus party instead of our traditional lesson, bible story. We had a Veggie tales Christmas movie on, made a craft, decorated cookies, and had hot chocolate. 







Christmas morning came, and we just played and played and took the day slow and easy. 




Pioneer Woman cinnamon rolls were made the night before. The recipe made 7 pans!!! I sent most to the guys on the river. They were soooo good. 


The boys got BB guns from Santa. Of course they can only use them when we are with them. They have enjoyed them sooo much. 



They want to be cowboy hunters they said. We've just hung out at home mostly because the boys want to play with their loot. I've got a lot of cleaning done and all of the Christmas decor down. 


It's been a great Christmas week! Looking forward to a little New Years Eve party! 

Monday, December 23, 2013

'Twas the weekend before Christmas

I can't believe it's only 1 more day until Christmas Eve. Friday was dads 54th birthday. Amanda had a nice dinner and party for him at her house. The boys LOVE giving presents and having a party for someone. Karson has been counting the days for weeks on his calendar. 


We have also been working outside. It has been in the 60's. It's been a nice break from being inside. I love it when the inside of the house is clean all day because we've been outside. (OCD much)

Kipton loves when we let the chickens out to run on warm days.


Karson loves to draw and loves to write his letters and make words. He said this night that he was doing his homework. 


He even wrote out a small grocery list for me while I was driving. Of course I had to spell the words out for him but he can write all of the letters.


Kipton has been working hard outside too. He says he's going to be a row boat worker and a chainsaw guy :) 


Hope you have a great Chritmas! I'll be back after Jesus' birth on Wednesday.


Merry Christmas!!!

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Date nights, Solos, and Santa

Last Friday night, Kevin had his work party dinner. It's just a time for the guys on his shift to all get together outside of the work place and all of the wives to meet and chat. We had a great time. This was a different group of friends than we normally eat with on Christmas dinner. Kevin was moved to a different boat and shift. 

Then the next night we went to an "adult" Christmas party for our good friends. It was so fun! Karson took our picture before heading out. 


We made salt dough ornaments this week. 

Salt
Flour 
Water

Mix and cut with cutters and microwave about 2 minutes or until hard. 

Then paint!! The boys love doing this each year. 



Karson had his Christmas program this week at preschool. A few weeks prior his teacher mentioned he volunteered to sing a solo. So I was making sure we practiced every day. So at the very end he got up there all by himself and sang "God is so Good" all by himself. A few other kids had solos but he sang also with no music. We were so proud and there were tears for sure! Hope he is always so brave to share about Jesus! 

Him and another boy were the only boys to sing. Mostly girls sang solos. 

Afterwards we headed downstairs for breakfast at Santa. 


Almost time for Santa, and Karson is/has a cold and he started looking sick and tired in the eyes. I knew we had to make a quick hello to the big man and head home. 

Brothers :) 



No smile, but thankful for the morning at our wonderful preschool. 

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Some of our Christmas Traditions

I can't believe it's only 9 more days until Christmas!!! The small window between Thanksgiving and Christmas really didn't help things either. I feel like I'm ready, but hurrying to finish the last few things I need to get done. (wrapping the boys gifts, baking a few things for Kevin's deckhands at work, mailing cards)

As a child we had traditions within our family. Now that I have my own family it's so fun to do our own traditions at Christmas time, especially ones that the boys ask for!

Like baking cookies. They have been asking when it was time to cut out "fancy" cookies with the cutters and use sprinkles. Any excuse to eat, is a good one. Especially for boys. I can't keep food in this house.


Baking is so fun. Sometimes it can be chaotic with kids helping, but those are special times so I try to always have a thankful heart that I have two healthy kids who are able to stir, lick the spoon, and make a big mess. 


Looking at Christmas lights is of course a tradition for most. This year we have added who can spy a nativity scene first. Then counting how many houses have them. 


I love the Christmas tree and taking pictures in front of it. I love Christmas clothes, and red shoes on the boys at Christmas time. 


We always go bowling around Christmas time. The boys love it, so we went last week. This was our 2nd time to go. They had a blast!!! So did the parents :)



Reading Chriatmas stories before bed all month of December. (This story is actually not a Christmas story but you get the idea haha) we have a collection of books, and also visit the library once a week for new ones. The boys get so excited for new stories. I LOVE that they love to be read to. One of my favorite things. 


Christmas shopping for our friends and family has also been a favorite this year. The boys are old enough to really put thought into what they want to get for specific people. However, this day Kipton was showing me he'd really like to have this big dog. He loves animals, however he is very rough and loving a little too much to our own dogs and drives them a little crazy! :) We find them under "traps" because he likes to trap them and call them "bobcats". 


I hope to always enjoy these traditions with the boys and Kevin.. I am so thankful for them!!!

Friday, December 13, 2013

Christmas Tour of our Home

Today, is one of my favorite blogging days of all. I love touring homes, and Christmas tours are the best. I'm linking up with Kelly's Korner to show our Christmas decorations for this year. 



I wanted to go with a country theme this year. However, my tree doesn't represent that. I fell in love with all of the burlap and plaid, but didn't want to replace my tree decor this year because I just bought it last year. I love all things country. Love the outdoors, the decor, the simple country cooking, farming, and teaching my boys all about it as well. 

Fell in love with this rustic and plaid paper!


Our fireplace was built by my handy husband. He also killed the buck that these antlers came from. Another new obsession I have this year. Decorating with pine cones, antlers, buckeyes, anything you can find in nature.



I made my boys new stockings from burlap material I had on hand and painted their initials. 




I love this Christmas quilt made by my mom. Maybe I will get some "down" time in a few years of raising small boys and may start one for the boy's future family home. Karson also has one on his bed made by her!


Santa pictures are also out for pretty! 




A few Christmas things hanging around in our kitchen. LOVE Pioneer Woman!


A few days ago, the boys and I cut down an evergreen/pin cone tree to decorate with. They had a blast each taking turns with the saw (supervised of course) and I love the fresh smell. It's awesome what you can find in your own backyard!





A few things on our front porch. I changed all of our wreath bows from red to burlap ones this year. Truth be told, my husband made them. As well as this little white sled. He's so handy!!





Hope you enjoyed our Christmas Home Tour!