Celebrating with family and friends

Like you, we had a very busy week celebrating Christmas with family and friends. Thank goodness for nice weather given all of the driving we did this week!

On Christmas Eve, Nola and Brenner helped decorate the sugar cookies! They did a great job and actually got more sprinkles on the cookies than their tongues  - or at least I think so :)

We went to Concordia to surprise Grandma Val at her Christmas Eve service. It was a lot of fun to see her surprised look when we walked into church!  We then had dinner with Grandma Val and Papa Hinckle!

Then it was back home to put cookies out for Santa.

The kids were up at 6 am for presents. They each got one present from Santa and 1 (Brenner) or 2 (Nola) from us. They didn't seem too disappointed at the number of gifts. As Nola shouted - it was really about "Happy birthday, Jesus!".

Brenner got a compound bow. Yes - a pricey gift but he was going to need a new one for this next so why not give it at Christmas. He was so excited!

Nola's favorite gift was a music jewelry box with a dancing ballerina.

Matt found some time on Tuesday to go hunting with his muzzleloader. He spent Christmas afternoon processing his doe.

Nola likes some flower barrettes that were in her stocking :)

Early evening on Christmas we headed back to Grandma Val's for dinner and presents. Brenner was actually running to hand out the presents.

Nola loved her Barbie :)

Brenner LOVED his army soldiers - running off to play with them while everyone else opened their gifts.

Cousin Gannon had the flu but seemed relaxed with Grandma Val.

Silly Nola.

Nola and Cousin Eadlin - boy are they going to be trouble in a few years.

On Friday, we did a bead science experiment that was in Nola's stocking. They started out tiny and absorbed the water. The kids then took them outside to smash them. We also had our great friends Jerry and Itati come to visit on Friday. I loved when Nola asked Jerry to so see her Barbie house :)

Brenner finally wrote his letter to the tooth fairy.....

Notice the $$$ - sigh.

Nola rockin' some of her Frozen jammies!

On Saturday, we went to Kansas City to celebrate with some of Matt's family.

Grammy Vo made Nola a Frozen robe!

Nola wore the dress Grammy made her and was surprised to get a Barbie with the same dress and another doll with a Frozen robe. Crafty, Grammy!

Brenner loved his camo robe!

Nola playing country mouse nurse with Aunt Janet!

PawPaw Floyd was in the hospital so this picture isn't quite complete. But the good news is that he was only in for one night and got to go home Saturday. We are very glad that he is feeling better! On Saturday night, we saw some gorgeous Christmas lights in the neighborhood around Aunt Theresa and Uncle Chuck's house. The kids then stayed with them while we met friends for dinner at a favorite Mexican restaurant. What a great day!

On Sunday, we got a little wild :) We entered the realm of Xtreme Bugs at Union Station - it was a lot of fun!

There were some interactive displays to learn about different bugs - here we are learning about ant colonies.

Watch out for the praying mantis!!!!!

That is one huge spider!!!!!!

There was a hissing cockroach at the end of the exhibit. Brenner loved it. When asked if she wanted to hold it, Nola politely said "No, thank you." Fun times!



Santa sightings

We had multiple Santa sightings this week! Lots of parties and programs to get us in the Christmas spirit.

 I finished the Christmas gift boxes on Monday. Nola helped me pack them up - a really good helper! She ate a dipped pretzel rod and asked "Mommy, can I have another dip stick?" I thought I was going to die laughing. Next year I might just have to label those "Dip Sticks" in her honor :)

 Nola was soooo excited for her preschool Christmas program. This is the her entire class - the girls are severely outnumbered! She wore a dress that Grammy Vo made for her - super cute :)

 Nola so loud and beautifully. It was odd seeing one of our children actually sing. Brenner was petrified during the preschool programs - as were most of the boys in Nola's class!

 Nola passing out napkins for their snack.

 Gotta give your hands a little wipe during snack time.

 My pretty girl!

 Nola wasn't scared to get up on Santa's lap. She asked for a baby doll and an ice castle.

 The kiddos doing a book exchange game.

 Nola and Ms. Gerhardt. Nola adores her!!!!

 We got a little snow this week so Brenner took his hot wheels out to the fire pit to play around.

 Brenner's drawing from art class- way to go, buddy!

 Brenner's teacher made ornaments with their school pictures.

 They also had a Grinch theme at Brenner's school and made special ornaments.

 Brenner also got to talk with Santa!

 Here is Brenner's letter.

 We have this book (The Mitten) at home so Brenner knows the story well.

 I don't ever remember the kids waiting for me to make waffles and pancakes before opening presents!

 One of Nola's pictures from preschool.

 Papa went hunting on Saturday so we watched White Christmas! Note the baby doll on the table. It came home with Nola Friday night from Grandma Val's house....without clothes. Poor little thing....watch how it makes an appearance later in the weekend.

 Nola and Brenner were big helpers wrapping presents.

 Our church program at church on Sunday. Matt had to fill in as the narrator.

 Our pastor wrote the program - it was called Lo and Behold. It was quite funny. Brenner was an angel and Nola was a townsperson. Note the baby doll buck naked in front of the whole congregation!

One last thought as we head to Christmas Day. We wish you a very merry Christmas full of the hope that the birth of Jesus brought to so many years ago and continues today. God is good.