Christmas Eve

We began our Christmas Eve with a wonderful Christmas Eve service at church.  The service was so special and I was so glad that my mom and brother attended.  The place was packed! So glad we went!

After the 3pm service, we all went to Dad's house for dinner.  They had a big crowd with all of us, all the Bakers, and a couple friends.  I love how the exes are invited!  A big family melting pot.  Makes it so much fun that we can all be together. Thanks, Dad and Carolyn for having everyone over.  

Carolyn made lasagna and these delicious bacon cheese toast things.  Those were gone in 2.3 seconds.  I was in charge of dessert, Sarah did bread, and Mom did salad.  

Carolyn made it so special and had all 14 stockings filled!  What a fun experience!

My favorite Christmas Eve tradition!  Cookie decorating!  I can't believe how may sprinkles we used!

Sister was excited about her stocking!

Lots of kids!  4/8 of these are born in August!

Cuties!

Our cookies are ready for Santa!

Shoe Night 2016

The Christmas elf was good to us this year.  We got to put our shoes out at home and at Pops and Carolyn's house.  

Uncle Frank gave SK a cute, custom bow that is monogrammed!

Uncle Frank also gave the boys a rock to split.  They had so much fun hammering it and opening it to see the crystals!

The boys and Daddy got matching socks and Sister and I got matching socks!  They loved it!

I got some really nice things...3 pairs of socks, an avocado, a lime, and an orange.  My favorite Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Pecan KIND bar was my favorite!

 We were up and at 'em and headed to Pops and Carolyn's house for breakfast and shoes.  Dad bought the kids the freshly squeezed OJ from Whole Foods because it is their favorite! He has pastries and Carolyn had a beautiful table set.

Lots of shoes, lots of fruits, lots of candy, and $100 for 1 person.  That person is Pops.

Our matching socks!!!

 We opened up gifts with them, too.

Henry got a Transformers.

Bennett got binoculars!

Sister was the best helper.

Winter Fun

80 degrees in December!!!  WTH?

I can't even handle the cuteness!!!  My girl is just the sweetest thing ever!

I got to go to Amy's 40 under 40 Forum cover reveal!  I am just so proud of her and Jessica!

We were "elfed" by Amy! How fun!

The Dicharrys are so creative with their Christmas gifts! 

We went ice skating for Fairfield Night

I walked out on the ice with the kids!  It was chilly!

Kade and Bennett 

We went on our annual caroling adventure!

My girl was loving sitting with big girls!

We went to a Christmas party and my friend, Julie's business was reppin!

We got to see Santa at Whitney's party

Sweeties with Santa while Neil was at the camp

Gingerbread House decorating is on point!

We just get better and better each year!

December

We were asked to do the reading for the third week of advent.  We were thrilled to be asked!  We opted to leave Sarah Kathryn in the nursery during the reading, but brought the boys.  Neil, Bennett, and I each read a portion and Neil lit the candles.  Bennett did a GREAT job!  I was the proudest mom in the world of our boy!  He read like a champ!

My Christmas gift this year was a new backsplash!  yay!  My dad, Neil's parents and Neil and worked together to get it done!  I LOVE IT and it really brightens up the place.  

One of our many trips to the new Kroger and Henry thought he found a sword in my purse.  Sorry, Henry.  It's not a sword.

December Fit throwin'

Christmas cards make me SO HAPPY!

We did a little baking and Pops happened to stop by after hunting.  He loves getting in the pics!

Yummy birthday cake for Jesus with the entire border of KitKat.

Before and After!

Henry's Christmas Pageant

Henry's little Christmas program was so sweet.  He and his class did a wonderful job acting out the nativity.  Henry got to be a shepherd.  He wasn't too happy about having to wear red, but whateves.  The Bridging class gets to perform and then join the choir to sing Christmas carols. 

Giving a Shepherd's crook to a 5 year old is sticky business.  A little scary and a little adorable!

Henry, Nash, Liam, Taylor Jane, and Elson

How sweet!!!!

He is never thrilled to take pictures or to wear costumes he is not loving.

YAY!  A smile from our shepherd!

Excited that Gammy came to watch!