christmas at home

We started Christmas a little early when Mammaw and Pots arrived on Christmas Eve night.  She brought me the set of her dad's literary journals from 1922 (love) and I poured over them...there is so much in them, but this one was obviously right on point :).  By far, a favorite gift ever

All ready for the morning!

They were awesomely patient while we waited for M&P to wake :)

We were still feeling a little icky, but much better than before...and so thankful to have our regular Christmas morning company

Our last Jotham's Journey reading...such a great way to prepare for advent and the celebration of His coming.  So blessed by B's heart to lead us in worship and Christ-centered focus during this season and always...

Present time :)

Gehrig surprised me by spending his Bible Thrills money to buy these candles for me...I rarely tear up because of a gift, but this one did it :))  

And B got me a fun chemex for my new coffee habit!  With those things, a beautiful return address stamp from Mammaw and the literary journals, I felt abundantly loved and spoiled this year.  So sweet and fun...

Stockings for last :)  Truly thankful for the Gs happy and grateful hearts.  They get new crayons every year and respond this way every time...what a great way to spend $5 ;)

(And Garner had a crazy quick bout of sickness that morning...hence the lying around.  Thankfully, it was over in less than an hour.)

Playtime now...

And a few family pics...so so glad Mammaw and Pots didn't mind braving our germs.  It would've been so sad without them :)

Pa arrived in the afternoon...more gifts and visiting :)

And more playtime...so much to be thankful for!

Love this sweet, relaxed time at home every Christmas Day...couldn't ask for anything more :))

advent activities

We didn't document every day of our family advent activities for 2014, but we did have lots of fun!  It was a bit more laid back this year and many times, decided the morning of ;).  Here's pics of some we did capture...

Treat-making...

And gift-wrapping...Garner wrote Collier's tag :))

Family game night...

And sweet fun with our co-op buds...singing to residents at a local nursing home and decorating cookies at the park after...

Christmas treat out!

...and the nightly view of our advent readings in Jotham's Journey.  It was a bit above Garner's attention span ;)

I couldn't decide which of these to share, so I just posted all.  One of our favorite activities is to re-enact the Christmas story using the Little People nativity set.  These kiddos crack me up :)

Ladies' night!  Sharing treats and laid back visiting...love :)

Christmas Brinner

And Hayride through the Life of Christ with our Duke and Sprouse buddies.  Loved the cute dad-life view here with B and Nick :)

Family snowflake competition...

And daytime movie watching of Elf :)

Caroling!  So much fun with the Sprouses, Links and Dukes :)

And bingo fun with our buds at the nursing home :))

Gingerbread houses hosted by the Wileys, Links and Santillans...

And then again with the Gibbs and Ruckers :))

And finally, Christmas Eve.  We were so super sad to miss the Christmas Eve service for the first time since we've had kids, but it was a no-go with flu germs at our house.  Though we were a bit grumpy and pitiful, we settled in for dinner and watched our favorite Christmas move, The Nativity Story.  As we commented that night, our yuckiness only reminded us more of our great need of a Savior.  So so glad He came...

Headed to bed!  Excited and camping out together for Christmas morning fun.  Sure do love them :)