This is our mantel decorated for Christmas. I love it! I started collecting those red trees a couple of years ago and try to add one or two each year. Never imagined last Christmas that we would have another stocking hanging on the mantel! So thankful for God's goodness. I bought these stockings when Eli was a baby and planned ahead and bought 4. It was perfect when we had Caleb. But this year, I couldn't find a matching stocking for Owen and I didn't want him to be odd man out, so, I made his to match the rest. It isn't exactly the same, but it's pretty close and I bet you wouldn't have known. I was proud of how it turned out!
We spent Christmas Eve at our house and invited my parents to join us. This was my brother's year to do Christmas with his wife's family (they switch every year). So the boys got dressed up in Christmas outfits that Pamma bought them. This was my first take and when Caleb said cheese, it was really loud in Owen's ear and caused some major tears!
We attended Christmas Eve service at First Christian Church and it was beautiful. They had asked Lance, Owen, & I to play the role of Mary, Joseph, & Baby Jesus. But, after considering how big Owen was and that he doesn't like to be swaddled or really held like all the pictures you see of the nativity, we decided it would be too stressful for his mother and declined. Our decision proved to be the right one as we had to walk and stand with Owen during the service! It was awesome to worship on Christmas Eve - missed doing it last year because of the blizzard.
We always make a birthday cake for Jesus and eat it on Christmas Eve. Fancy cake don't you think?! Eli picked out a pink cake this year.
We read the Christmas story using felt pictures the boys put up on a felt board (it was definitely crazy this year!). Then the boys opened a "first gift of Christmas"! Next they set out cookies for Santa and were off to bed. Eli was beside himself excited, and I was just thrilled watching him! It was a moment I wanted to freeze in time.
Santa left lots of fun things for the boys, and they played with them all morning long. They stayed in their pajamas until after lunch!
We spent Christmas Eve at our house and invited my parents to join us. This was my brother's year to do Christmas with his wife's family (they switch every year). So the boys got dressed up in Christmas outfits that Pamma bought them. This was my first take and when Caleb said cheese, it was really loud in Owen's ear and caused some major tears!
We attended Christmas Eve service at First Christian Church and it was beautiful. They had asked Lance, Owen, & I to play the role of Mary, Joseph, & Baby Jesus. But, after considering how big Owen was and that he doesn't like to be swaddled or really held like all the pictures you see of the nativity, we decided it would be too stressful for his mother and declined. Our decision proved to be the right one as we had to walk and stand with Owen during the service! It was awesome to worship on Christmas Eve - missed doing it last year because of the blizzard.
We always make a birthday cake for Jesus and eat it on Christmas Eve. Fancy cake don't you think?! Eli picked out a pink cake this year.
We read the Christmas story using felt pictures the boys put up on a felt board (it was definitely crazy this year!). Then the boys opened a "first gift of Christmas"! Next they set out cookies for Santa and were off to bed. Eli was beside himself excited, and I was just thrilled watching him! It was a moment I wanted to freeze in time.
Santa left lots of fun things for the boys, and they played with them all morning long. They stayed in their pajamas until after lunch!
Later that day, we went to Papa & Pamma's house for a yummy Christmas dinner. It was such a relaxed day for us. Oh, and Owen has been sleeping through the night which was a perfect "gift" for Mom!
Boy do I love these three!
Boy do I love these three!
Hope you had a blessed Christmas!
Tara
Caleb at 2 months (1/15/08)
Lastly, Owen's Christmas tree - an ABC tree of course. We both love looking at this.
