Christmas 2012

 Here we are on Christmas Eve at our church's Christmas Eve service.  It was so unique because we met in a barn with horse and goat stables.  A family at our church hosted the service and made it so special for everyone.  They even served cookies and hot coco.  Outside they had two beautiful fire places that were going.  And inside they had wood stoves going so we were nice and warm.  It was an amazing barn, just beautiful. The animals were not there to join us but it was still neat to think about baby Jesus being born in a stable.  This barn was nothing like what Jesus was born in but the idea was neat to think about.  We sang and scripture was read. It was the perfect way to start Christmas. 

Merry Christmas!!  

We had a great day.  It was different from what we usually do on Christmas since this was our first time away from our family.  Mark and I got everything ready the night before.  We put the stockings our and the gifts that family sent.  We had some gifts under the tree but most of them were tucked away under the stairs waiting for Christmas morning.  

 Here is Lulu opening her stocking and finding her very own PINK calculator!!!  

 Here is Levi digging through his stocking.  

 Ila May was funny because she did not want to open her stocking or any gifts.  She found her goldfish crackers and enjoyed them and this cute doll my aunt gave her.  We noticed she was more into her gifts if we had them opened and available for her to look at.  The wrapping and anticipation must have been too overwhelming for her.  

 My dad got the kids some head lamps.  This was a hit gift!!!  Growing up my dad always found the most different type of gifts but they were always so fun and interesting. 

 We Skyped with my mom while opening up some gifts.  My dad was at work but I got to talk with him later in the morning.  

 I love this picture of Levi, he's got his new cozy socks on while playing with a new truck.

 We got Mark some classic Coca Cola....his favorite drink other than coffee. 

 All three kids got new snow gear and here is Ila May modeling her new snow boots.  She didn't take them off for the longest time.  She is a shoe girl.  She is always putting on shoes no matter if they are hers or not.  So these boots were probably her favorite gift.

 Here is Lulu modeling her new head lamp, new snow boots and holding a few new gifts.  One of her favorite gifts this year is her new pink Bible case.  My mom got that for her.  

 Levi became an official cowboy this year.  

 Lulu and Levi together picked out and bought Ila May a baby doll stroller.....although Ila liked being the doll and having her sister push her around in it.  They both just laughed and laughed doing this. 

 Levi also got some army men and Mark and him had fun setting up some battle scenes. 

 Levi caught on quick to his remote control car.   This also made us all laugh a lot as this car whizzed around the house. 

Then at 7pm we headed over to a families house from our church.  Five other families came and we all enjoyed cookies, coffee and music.  The kids from age 5 to young adults put on a recital and played piano, violin and sang for us all.  Then at the end of the recital we all sang Christmas songs and read from scripture about the birth and death of Jesus.  It was such a great way to end our Christmas celebration.  When we got home around 11pm Lulu did not wake up at all.  Mark carried her in from the van placed her on the floor and carried her up stairs all while she slept.  This little girl was tired!