Christmas blessings

What a wonderful Christmas we celebrated this year with family and friends. It was a busy week but we enjoyed all of the festivities!

Every Christmas Eve we make cutout sugar cookies!

 I had some great help with the decorating!

 Nola needed a pre-church nap! Love that she picked an Easter dress to wear to Christmas Eve service!

 Back home and ready for Santa to come. We couldn't forget to leave some carrots for Rudolph!

 The presents arrived! Brenner woke up at 3:30 am but we told him it was too early....I also realized that I had forgotten to stuff the stockings - opps! Thank goodness Papa is a pro at the art of distraction! The kids only get one present from Santa so that we can keep focus on Jesus and giving to others. They both were very grateful for their gifts and gave us some nice homemade items too :)

A favorite for Brenner was the game Battleship. He and Papa have been playing it a lot!

 Nola loved her pink (of course) cross to hang in her room. She chose right above her bed.

 Santa brought a hot wheel track for Brenner and a Brave set for Nola. Santa did well :)

 We had to set the race track up right away! Luckily, mommy read the box before wrapping and had charged up our D batteries!

 We headed to Grandma's for Christmas lunch. The kids had a ball with Cousin Colten. We also learned that Krystee got engaged on Christmas Eve!

 Nola and Eadlin (her soon to be cousin) helping to hand out the gifts.

 Brenner waiting patiently...with a devilish grin!

The day after Christmas our good friend Jerry and Itati came for a visit. Nola liked putting the puzzle together with Jerry!

 Brenner, Jerry, and Matt had several Jenga tournaments. You have to watch out for Brenner - he cheats!!!

Brenner has been begging for a buzz cut...I have said no until after Christmas. So, once Christmas had passed I finally agreed.....

Here he is....I miss his long locks but he reassured me that his hair will grow back :(

School Christmas Party and White Christmas

Brenner wrapped up school this week and we frantically prepare for Christmas! I took off work on Friday to attend his party - it was so much fun! Papa braved the ice storm and went hunting this weekend. He had no luck but seemed to have a good time.

 Nola in one of her outfits. It is better to let her have the independence than dress her ourselves. We love her independence (well, at least most days!). 

 Brenner saw Santa at school on Friday. He told Santa he wanted a "DS" because one of his buddy talks about having one. I didn't know what it was so asked Matt. Needless to say, Brenner won't be getting that from Santa :)

 Our day was full on Friday. We started off with Wake up and Read in the gym with everyone and then headed into his classroom for a breakfast (scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuit, and juice) and then recess. I was late to recess because I was helping to clean up the room from breakfast. Once I got to the gym, I played with some little girls because Brenner was running with his buddies. Well, what I started out as a game of freeze tag with 4 little girls grew to a group of 30 kids each wanting to help me be "it"! I quickly learned that I can run and play for about 7 minutes before needing a break....it was the longest recess of my life! Back in the classroom, we watched Prancer and had a pizza lunch before heading home. In the last few minutes, they danced to a song by One Direction - they all knew the lyrics and the moves. Too cute!

 Brenner with his teacher before we left. Great smiles!

 Saturday morning we hung out at home because we were having freezing rain. Nola wanted to dress up like a princess.

 We made foil fish from a Rain Day activity book. Nola was cool - laid back, but Brenner got easily frustrated which led to a conversation about having fun and living in the moment.

 Brenner made this cool gingerbread house at school (inedible because of additives to the icing...given the weather, we decided to make our own on Saturday.....

 We (I) failed miserably, but we ate the broken down houses with some hot chocolate and laughed! I then said we could watch a movie but it was my choice - White Christmas. One of my all time favorites - reminds me of my childhood when Lynn and I would watch it and sing "Snow, snow, snow!" Chus, chus, chu-chus. The kids complained on and on about how they didn't want to watch a movie with REAL people in it.....

 ....but they loved it. Once it was over, Nola kept being a ballerina like the ones at the end of the movie. Yes - a topless ballerina....don't judge, I was choosing my battles by that time of the day! Nola spilled hot chocolate on her shirt. And if there is anything Nola despises, it is a wet shirt so off it went!

 Brenner decided he would be an Army soldier like General Waverly and Captain Wallace. He then asked numerous questions about ranking and what was higher (my knowledge is limited). Then Brenner said he wanted to join the army for his country. Brave little guy - his great-grandpa's would be proud. 

 The ice came - about a half an inch. Brenner wanted to go check it out on the back deck on Sunday morning.

 So - another day at home. We made gingerbread cookies. the kids did great rolling, baking, and decorating. Nola only wanted to make angels and Brenner wanted gingerbread men and houses. So different these two!With some of the excessively handled dough be made ornaments for the tree.

 Reaping their reward!

Brenner had a math test - 100%! Way to go, buddy! We are proud of you!

Let Christmas feasting begin!

I traveled to DC for work this week so Matt held down the fort while finishing his finals. He did great in both classes and is a bit relieved to not have to make the drive four nights a week! Way to go, Matt! Brenner and Nola waited patiently all week for the arrival of Aunt Theresa and Uncle Chuck.

Papa scared Brenner one night by sneaking up on him in the tub. Mean Papa.

Here is Brenner's Duck Dynasty beard. We don't watch that show but one of Brenner's friends talks about is constantly.

Nola and her "cha-chas". Yes, even though we tell her they are pom-poms she prefers her own name for them.

Aunt Theresa and Uncle Chuck were going to stop by on Thursday. Nola had to pick out just the perfect outfit to greet them :)

 Aunt Theresa and Doodle getting a big hug from Nola. Nola wanted to play and read books with Aunt Theresa all afternoon.

 I got home late Thursday night and spent Friday preparing food for a big family dinner on Saturday. I had some good help in the kitchen!

Nola also kept Emi company while things were in the oven.

Three inches of snow came on Friday night, so the boys needed to clean the sidewalk before our guest arrived at lunch time.

Waiting is hard........

 ......but they both did great. While waiting they decided on their own to find gifts for Aunt Theresa and Uncle Chuck. Brenner and Nola wrapped the gifts themselves. Way to go, kids!

Uncle Chuck loved the painted rock that Brenner gave him!

The lunch crew - Grammy Vo, Nola, Aunt Theresa, Papa, Brenner, Uncle Chuck, and PawPaw Floyd. It was a great time!

Brenner, Nola, and Aunt Theresa playing with one of the great gifts from Aunt Theresa and Uncle Chuck. Brenner's favorite was a human body replica with removable organs and Nola's was the pink tutu she is wearing in the picture. One of the best parts of the day was when Brenner and Nola went with the family to Grammy's house so Mommy and Papa could go to the movies. We had a great time and Hunger Games was great!

On Sunday, Matt and I went to Grammy's for another family dinner. It was a lot of fun and the food was delicious!

Nola loved that Aunt Janet and her had matching pink boots :)

Grammy and PawPaw Floyd hit a home run with the pink castle tent for Nola! Thanks to all the family for making a great weekend!

Some of Brenner's schoolwork titled "How to make Santa jolly"
First, I make a suit for him
Next, I give him the coat
Finally, I say you are welcome

Brenner is also working on subtraction in school and doing a great job!

Kindergarten Christmas Program and First Snow of the Season

Our weeks continue to be jammed packed with activities. This week we had Brenner's school program and A Night in Bethlehem at our church. And the weather has been quite frosty - winter is here!

 Grandma Val came over on Thursday so Matt could do Watch Dog dads at Brenner's school and watch his program that evening. Oh - we also got our tree decorated this year - the kids did a great job! Great smiles from all three in this picture!

 The ladies waiting patiently for the performance from +130 kindergartners!

 Nola got restless and decided to kick up her heels! Love the way her hair is bouncing around...and notice the only pink is her ponytail holder!!!!

 Brenner's class. The girl on his left is the one that kissed him a while back and continues to be sweet on him :) Brenner didn't really sing...at first Matt and I were frustrated while watching wondering what was wrong. But it was a teaching moment (more for us and him). Afterwards we asked if he had fun and after a bit of discussion he admitted he "was a bit nervous". Well no kidding - he had 500+ strangers looking at him. Maybe next time he will sing but if not it won't matter to us!

 Aunt Mellie sent Nola some clothes including two princess dresses. Of course she had to put them on a pose!

 Brenner getting reading to be a wiseman for Night in Bethlehem. He rode on the church float (with what he calls his duck dynasty (camo) bibs underneath his costume. Brrrrrr.

 Afterwards we decided to get a family photo in from of the church tree.....take 1

 ...let's try that again....take 2.

 In children's church Brenner has been learning about tithing. He decided to give ALL of the money in his piggy bank to the offering to buy mosquito nets to stop malaria - what to go, Brenner. That is one big heart you have. He also convinced Nola to give a donation as well.

 The  boys in our first snow - just a dusting but they had fun anyway. Brenner kept asking if it was enough to go sledding.....not quite, big guy!

 Nola fought putting clothes on underneath her snowpants....so we stayed inside while the boys played!

 Check out the wonderful drawing that Brenner did the other night. He tried to recreate the cover of his advent storybook. Great job!

Brenner's class made gingerbread houses this week at school. He enjoyed it telling us his favorite part was eating the candy...guess mine would be too :)