Christmas Traditions - Watching The Polar Express

This is the 3rd year that we have spent Christmas Eve watching the movie "The Polar Express". I think this is one of my favorite traditions. We always watch the movie with a fire in the fireplace and popcorn to eat. Matthew still gets a little antsy about 2/3rds into the movie and starts to wander around the living room. He was not so willing to go to bed after because he wanted to watch it again. After a some crying and fighting sleep, which is very out of character for Matt, he finally went to sleep.

Christmas Traditions - Reading the Christmas Story

Christmas morning, after the kids have scouted out the presents left for them under the tree, we all meet up in our room where Dave reads the account of Jesus' birth from Luke 2. This year we used Matthew's Bible for the reading. We are hoping in the future that the kids will be able to read it to us. We've made it our family tradition that before we get "crazy" with the gift part of Christmas, we take time to recognize the greatest gift that was given to us and that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Christmas Time Is Here

The kids were very excited that Christmas finally came. We started opening presents around 8:30. This year we got a little smarter and made it so that after you opened your present you had to put the wrapping in the "trash" bag before you went on to the next gift. I know, I know it may seem a little "organized" for the "joyous" event but it made it much easier to get to opening the actual toys after all the unwrapping. As you can see, both Emily & Matt got a good amount of gifts. Matt has spent most of his day putting together his Lego police station, which has 953 pieces, all by himself using the "blueprints". As of right now, he's about 2/3rds of the way done....keep going Matt. Emily has spent her day playing with a variety of dolls and pets she got. Dave programmed his digital picture frame that he is going to take to work while I've spent most of my day on my computer and doing small household chores. Okay, most of my gifts were clothes and jewelry, what am I going to do with that...lol. It has been a very relaxing day. In a little while, we will do our birthday cake for Jesus' birthday - that is Christmas day dessert.

Christmas Bulletin Board

This is the bulletin board created for the Christmas season. The tile says "Jesus is the Gift". I was able to have a member of the church who is a woodworker make the cross out of balsa wood so it is very "real" looking. Very pleased with the end result and the message it presents.

Proud of Our Veterans

I appreciate the fact that our school district does not let our kids have Veteran' day off and actually takes that day to talk about and honor those who have served our country.

Emily came home the week prior to the holiday with a star that she was to write a family veteran's name on. Okay, if you know Emily a simple star will not do (wonder where that comes from) ...so we headed to the craft store for special paper and stickers to use in her tribute to Papa Joe.

Emily was very proud of her creation. Oh, Papa Joe it is going to be coming to you for you to keep as a memento created by your granddaughter.

Thank you dad and all other family members who served in the military both in times of war and times of peace. Thank you for fighting for our freedom!