A late start

That title could mean two things for this post: 1. yes, I'm super late posting about Christmas but because this is more of my scrapbook than anything else...I'm caring less and less about the self-applied pressure I've created to keep up with blogging. Life is busy and sadly blogging isn't high up on the priority list. But because I want to remember each moment with these sweet little beings - I will continue...late or not. AND 2. We got a seriously late start on decorating for Christmas this year. Between being gone for Thanksgiving and then being gone for Chelsea's wedding we just didn't have the time until a couple of weeks before Christmas. Once we got started we put on the full court press and the kids were ready to team up with us to make it happen!

 Yes, Avery is in a ballet outfit. Hey, at least she's clothed. 

 We purchased a pre-lit artificial tree at the end of the season last year after Christmas so that this year (well, last year..go with me) we could have two trees: a kids tree and an an adult tree. Our adult tree has old ornaments of mine, a series Tim and I began when we got married and then my series that my Grandmomma started for me when I was little (yes, it is still going - longest running series for Hallmark). The girls were all about unwrapping "my houses". 

 Grey pretty much walked around with boxes...stacking them, un-stacking them, carrying them around some more, etc. 

 Love the wonder Christmas decorations evoke - so precious!

 We got the house decorated in a couple of days and then we started doing some other fun holiday things, like making our first gingerbread house..with "Honey". 

 This was all my Mom and Kennedy's project and she says she now knows some things she didn't before (apparently it wasn't a piece of cake). It took them several different shifts to get it done, but in the end they did and it turned out great! Best of all, they made special memories. 

 After all our decor was up, it was time to let the elf loose. Criddle entered the scene via the kids Christmas tree and they were SOOOO excited to see him. 

 The elf...if he only knew the social media drama he caused. Honestly, the elf is fun in our house - he is not a tool for manipulation or bribery with behavior - he is simply to create wonder and fun. My utmost concern at Christmas is that my kids know what we are celebrating and why, so I keep trying each year to tie the two together in some way: 

 I do not stress about where to hide the elf and the elf hides in plenty of boring places, but truthfully I get as much enjoyment out of creating elaborate scenes/escapades for the elf as the kids get out of finding him each day and seeing what he's been "into". So, without further ado: 

 Criddle is clearly a ladies man. 

 I mean, I can't tell a lie - I would totally be up for jumping in a bathtub full of holiday M&M's. Yum...

We were thrilled to be with our new church family on Christmas Eve for a special service, here we are all dressed in our Christmas best! 

 On our way to the church on Christmas Eve, we dropped of cinnamon rolls to our local fire department. My Mom took us once (maybe more but I don't remember) when I was little and I still remember it. It's important to me that the kids understand that although we are enjoying family time together, there are men and women who are working hard to keep us safe and I want them to have a sense of appreciation for their sacrifice and their service. The guys at the firehouse were really nice and showed the kids the truck before we left. 

 After church, we jammied up and got started on cookies for Santa!  

 Pretty sure for every cookie Avery cut out of the dough - she ate one too. Stinker!

 So fun that Kennedy could write her own note to Santa this year! 

Ready for Santa!