"Who hears these words of mine & puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, & the winds blew & beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine & does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, & the winds blew & beat against that house, & it fell with a great crash."

Matthew 7:24-27

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Christmas 2014

We had a wonderful Christmas this year, celebrating the birth of Jesus and spending time with family and friends.  Our Christmas celebrations began on Tuesday, the 23rd, at Erik's parent's house when we celebrated with his immediate family.  We headed over there as soon as the kids got up from their afternoon naps.  After everyone had arrived, we opened presents first.  The kids could not wait to do this and had been in anticipation all day.  We just let all the kids open up their presents first, and then the adults did theirs in a more "orderly" fashion. :)  When all the presents were done, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner that Erik's mom had made for us.  After diner, we enjoyed some time hanging out and chatting while the kids played with their new things.  I forgot our camera and only have one picture with my phone of the kids opening their stockings, so I'll have to add more pictures later.

Stockings!

Christmas Eve started as any other day.  Erik went to work and the kids and I hung out at home while I did some last minute things.  Erik came home and took Kyler and Norah "shopping" for a bit late morning, and then when they got home, I ran a quick errand before lunch.  We all ate lunch, and then Erik got ready for church.  The kids napped and while they napped, I got ready for church.  I woke the kids up about 3:45 to start getting ready so we could be at church by about 4:30.  I got everyone up, dressed, and we made it there only about 5 or 10 minutes late! :)  We enjoyed a wonderful service with my parents and brother, as well as Erik's parents and sister.  After church, the kids and I headed over to my parent's house for dinner.  Erik was able to come join us by about 7:15 (yay!).  We took some family pictures, enjoyed a yummy dinner that my mom had made, and then about 8:15 my aunt and cousin and her family stopped by to have pie.  We all enjoyed some pie, and then about 9:00, we headed home to get ready for bed.  Here are some pictures form our Christmas Eve!

Looking down our row at church

Kyler with his candle

Our three kiddos!

Kyler and Norah

:)

Ben with Kyler

Ben with Norah

Our family!

Erik and I

My family

Christmas Day started out at our house.  I finally went in to get the kids up around 8:15 or so because I knew that if we didn't get going we would be short on time later.  The kids hopped out of bed and headed straight downstairs in their pjs.  We then enjoyed opening presents as a family.  Grace thought she needed to open everything that was Norah's even though she had her own presents to open. :)  She did such a good job opening this year, she has come a long way even since her birthday just two months before.  

All ready for the kiddos!

So excited!

Checking out their stockings...

A present from Kyler's stocking

Norah's "Elsa" dress :)

Grace's pull along turtle


After we finished opening presents at our house, everyone got dressed, ate breakfast, and we loaded up to head over to my parent's house.  The kids were ready to open again, so we got everything organized and then they went to town. :)  When the kids were done, the adults then enjoyed opening their presents.  After presents, we enjoyed a yummy brunch of waffles and bacon.  The kids were then ready for naps before more fun later.  While the kids and Erik napped, I helped my mom get ready for her side of the family to arrive later on.

All ready to go!

Grace LOVES this snowman at my parent's house.  You push it's hand and it shakes and plays music :)

Kyler with his new DVD :)

Norah with her new baby

A picture of the chaos :)

Grace opening one of her presents, she loved opening!

Erik taking a turn

My mom with the tree Erik made her


About 4:15 we got everyone up from their nap and waited for everyone else to arrive.  Shortly after 4:30, my mom's side of the family started to trickle in.  After everyone had arrived, and we got some of the food organized, we headed downstairs to start opening presents.  When presents were over, we finished getting the food ready for our evening meal.  We enjoyed a wonderful meal of ham, potatoes, corn, green beans, fruit, relishes and deviled eggs.  We were all so full, but it was so wonderful! :)  A bit later we had dessert too. :)  Everyone enjoyed relaxing and talking for a while after dinner, until we decided we better head home around 9:00.  

Erik, Grace, and Uncle Nick ready to open presents again

One side of the room….

The other side!

Ben opening a 'joke gift' from Aunt Mimi :)

Ava and Norah crafting

Norah with her new stamp set

Kyler opening his tow truck that Uncle Nick made him

Grace hanging out in the green chair

Hanging out :)

One of the tables ready to eat!


We had our final Christmas celebration at Erik's grandparent's house the Saturday after Christmas with his mom's side of the family.  We got there around noon, and enjoyed a wonderful lunch of all different kids of soups, sandwiches, relishes, salads, and desserts.  After dinner was over, we hung out for a bit, and then the little kids opened their presents.  When they were finished opening presents, the adults had their annual game of BINGO.  During BINGO, you get to win one gift card and then after that you can pick from the "random $5 gift table". :)  Grace and Norah napped during BINGO, but towards the end, Kyler decided he wanted to try to play.  He had seen a bag of M&Ms on the gift table and wanted to try to win them. :)  Well, after not too long, he had a BINGO!  He was pretty excited with his prize. :)  As soon as BINGO was over, we gathered up our things and got ready to head home.  Again, I don't have any pictures from this Christmas celebration. :(


We had such a wonderful Christmas.  We are so blessed by the generosity of our families and it is so great that we are able to spend time with everyone.  We hope you and your family had a great Christmas as well, and remember the real reason for the season, the birth of Jesus!  Merry Christmas!!
      

    

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