Church Christmas Party

We had a pajama Christmas party this year at the church.  It was lots of fun and we got some hilarious photos, especially of Daniel.  The kids had a ball!

Drew enjoyed playing with Santa's beard.

Goofy Daniel!

Laney loving Josh

Drew with some of his best buds

Josh and his best bud Matt, still not to old to sit on Santa's lap.

Santa was one of the boys church leaders.  Josh got a little silly with Santa.

Laney took some pictures of me, so that we would know I was there too.

  

Mistletoe!

Susanna with our wonderful Bishop Smith

Santa, in street clothes, sitting on Sara's lap and then giving Josh a piggy back ride.

It was a  ton of fun to spend the evening with so many people that we love!

Christmas Lights and Fall Leaves

Richard and Josh put up our icicle lights this year and Tim and I did the yard.  We did the palm tree for the first time.  It was a bit prickly and pokey.  

These photos do not do this justice, but I enjoyed every day taking a few minutes to look at my pretty Christmas tree and the beautiful fall leaves on my crape myrtles in the windows.  I LOVE THOSE TREES!!!!  They make me so happy every fall and then again in the spring when they are blooming.  So pretty!!!

"Gingerbread" Houses at Gram and Papa's

We love our annual "gingerbread" house tradition with Gram and Papa.  The kids are always so creative, figuring out how to incorporate the most candy possible.  We pair our kids up to work on their houses, we did have one group of three, Josh with the twins.  Again, there was a big hole with the Wrights having moved away.  We missed them all lots!

Laney and Sam made a graham cracker whale.  It was very creative.

These guys made a tower.

Daniel and Susanna made a church.

Madi

Justin

Gwen and Lilli

Ryan

Tori

Heidi

Drew, Jessi and Nate

Their cute little whale!

Nate and Drew's Tower

Daniel and Susanna's church

Tim and Sara's house with a garden planted in neat rows.

Ben and Danica

Nate and Drew's 11th Birthday

It happened to be Twin Day at school on Nate and Drew's 11th birthday.  They didn't own any matching clothes so I got them these shirts so they could be "twins".  They loved it.  

We don't do big parties every year, just 5, 8, 12, and 16, but Nate and Drew asked if they could invite a few guests.  They invited their teacher Mrs. Heck and her husband as well as Ms. Buck, our previous principal and my parents.  All of our kids loved having them over to celebrate.  The twins said it was their best birthday ever.  We had Mexican food out on the patio around the fire and then came inside so the kids could perform some piano pieces for them.  We played a super fun game that the Heck's brought for them, Set.  We have played it a millions times since then. It takes some thinking.  After all the fun we had ice cream cake.  It was a great evening.  Thanks to our guest for making it so special!