A few Decembers ago is when our family had to learn to say "no" to a lot of things around the holidays. Anna was a few months old at the time and the holidays hit us like a brick wall....soo many festivals, parties, events, etc. We learned that year it was all just too much. Plus, if we are trying to teach our children the real reason for celebrating Christmas and spend most of the holiday season running around, bickering, going to see different Santas...you get my point, it just wasn't working for us.
It was nice to know as this month approached that we knew we'd be saying "No, thank you" to a lot and yes to just a few things. It left so much more room for us as a family and it felt less chaotic.
Mommy had a long week at work and daddy knows just the right remedy to help :)
Most nights end in wrestling which means most nights end in tears for at least 2/3 of the kids. "Tickle me daddy...no stop, that tickles...fight me daddy, no stop..." You catch my drift...
Wesley got hit hard this month with sickness so mommy spent lots of time deep cleaning. Christmas candles add a nice touch when a kid has the stomach bug!
Kids. That's our jet bathtub. And a dinosaur. I couldn't even be mad...guess which kid? (Anna)
December starts the tradition of our Advent Jesse Tree. Each day you read a devotion and then put a matching ornament up on the tree. It starts with creation and leads all the way to Jesus' birth. It's my favorite tradition.
Work lunch to celebrate December birthdays and Cassondra turning 50!
Love this team...just missing our fearless leader, Kelley.
I saw an advertisement for a Christmas play at a church near us so I took the older kiddos. The crazy thing is this church is where Wesley's teacher's husband is the pastor! It was cool to see all the hard work this church put in to this play...so good!
What happens when there's a delayed opening at school (can't remember why) and you're all ready at the normal time. McDonald's ;)
Double date night with the Kittners-ax throwing!
I was able to attend Grace's class Christmas party
Christmas in the City for work! This is a cool community event where all kinds of organizations can come and sponsor a table. Families from the community can come and bring their children to get all kinds of free things and a lot of really cool information. Can't wait until next year!
Someone was visiting our table and letting their four-year-old do the craft so naturally, I asked to hold their baby.
Grace and I before we headed to the Nutcracker!
Sarah, Harper, Grace & I went to dinner and then the Nutcracker. It was beautiful but about 10 minutes into the performance you can see Harper staring and enthralled and then hear Grace asking me, "Is it almost over??" lol...she's not a ballet girl BUT it was such a great experience!
I was able to make it to Wesley's class party as well...so grateful to be able to come!
Eric Clapton in the background, Wesley's imitating on his guitar, and a daddy and his daughter, dancing :) We are going to miss all of this!
We do a breakfast with Santa at Chick Fil A every year but this year it was at dinner time. It happened, I promise! I just can't find the proof right now.
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