The Tree

After a long 14 year break our church brought back The Tree. We volunteered to help, and it was wonderful! 

Ben and Ross were wisemen attendants. 

The awesome group of people we worked with all week. 

A few of the sweet boys that carried gifts for the kings. 

They had live animals. This camel was a mess. 

Didn't shepherds have baby kangaroos that wore diapers? 

The llama stole the show every single performance. She was a hoot. 

We bonded and grew relationships with so many people through that week of ministry. 

Ross wanted to see what being in the tree was like. He climbed all the way to the very tip top!

Our entire family had an awesome week. We experienced great fellowship. We experienced God in a huge way every single performance. It was one of the best weeks of 2015! Truly great, and we were so glad to be part of it.

Breakfast with Santa

We went to our annual Breakfast with Santa event. It was maybe my favorite one to date. We arrived right as Santa did so the kids got to chat with him in the lobby.

The first thing they did was write a letter to Santa. 

Ross' completed letter. 

They had a really cute "Elfie Selfie" station set up for pictures. 

Our favorite friends showed up as we were taking our selfies so the kids took quite a few. They had the best time. 

Even while we ate breakfast Avery and Emma went over to take even more. They were so funny, and had the people taking the pictures cracking up. 

Santa!!! This was definitely the year that Avery turned the corner and decided Santa wasn't so bad after all. 

Up next was reindeer food. 

Then they made ornaments. These were for the Children's Hospital tree. 

These were for our tree. 

Also new for this year was face painting. The kids definitely loved that. 

Avery requested a pink and purple Santa. She did get a pink beard, but no purple so she got a blue hat instead. She was quite happy about it.

Lastly we took a few pictures outside. They wanted some in the sleigh. 

and of course on the firetruck. 

A great fun day was had by all! 

It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas

We decorated the tree the day after Thanksgiving. It is more fun each year as the kids help more and more. This year they did quite a bit, and for the most part I left all the ornaments right where they were hung.

Even 5 clustered ice cycles. 

They did quite well if I do say so myself. 

Two things mean it is Christmas at our house - the nativity and the singing dog, actually 3 - the Little Mermaid ornament. 

HO! HO! HO!

ONE MORE TIME PLEASE!

They also made ornaments. The sticky paint is becoming a favorite activity.

She's getting better at it.

One of Ross' finished products. 

The elf came back - his official name is R-O-S-S Chippy Snowflake. It reminds me of a horse we once had. Brent and I couldn't agree on a name so the end result was Cocoa General Lee.

Ross learned how to spell Merry Christmas pretty quick that day b/c he put it on everyone's present that we wrapped.

All is calm, all is bright. 

Polar Express

We rode the Polar Express this year in Branson. It was a lot of fun and Ross said he wants to do it every year. 

They wanted to take pictures with everything. 

Best family picture we got on the trip. 

They had their ticket!

In front of the train right before it was time to board.

Finally we got to board. It was cold and windy outside so being in the warmth was nice. We were served hot chocolate and sugar cookies. The hot chocolate was yum with whipped cream and sprinkles. 

The conductor came around and punched our tickets. 

A for Avery. 

R for Ross. (side funny is I actually typed B for Boss and realized it was R for Ross)

B for Big Baby.

Hobo was really great! He even did a magic trick with a red light in their hats. 

SANTA!! He was really great! 

Santa chat. 

Of course he gave them bells. 

We heard them all the way home.