December pics

Our house made it in the Rose Creek magazine for our lights. Always a fun surprise. 

Hudson and Bauer asleep in Hadleys room when I went to wake Hudson one morning. How cute is that to see them cuddled up together?!

Cute Hudson all bundled up in his snow gear and Hadley dressed and feeding her baby before getting out to run some errands.

You can barely see it in this picture but Hudson's arms are all the way up in the air, cheering that he had must made a basket.

I volunteered to help with the Pinterest party at Crossings again this year. It was so much fun and I liked it more this year. It was a brunch style party instead of desserts this year and the food was so good! The crafts were a little easier as well and somehow I didn't even think to take a picture of the craft I led. It was a cute wooden sign that I even made for myself.

Cold mornings = cuddling on the couch in pjs before school. Good thing they wake up early because I don't think we could manage getting ready right out of bed.

Field trip with the third graders to the Myriad Gardens. This was a fun field trip! It was all decorated for Christmas and the kids learned a lot about plants and wildlife. I love getting to take off work and go on field trips with Hadley!

I know I have more pictures and I need to find them! Hudson got picked to be a shepherd in the Crossings Church nativity program. It was the most precious thing and so fun that he was chosen. He didn't have to memorize any lines but loved being on stage.

Watching a little tv on the iPad before bedtime. Something so sweet about their faces glowing in the light.

Hadley had her last Christmas dance recital since she will be moving to Jr. Company next year and not doing any regular dance classes. It's always such a sweet recital that I will miss watching. No pressure, no getting ready, no makeup, just watching them dance to beautiful Christmas music.

I picked up some crafts at Target to prepare for the Christmas season so we picked up Chick-fil-A and had a fun night at home making "gingerbread houses", cutting out snowflakes,  and baking cookies.

The dogs sure are loving their new beds! How cute is that?!

Christmas with Mama and Papa

The kids woke up still excited from Christmas day. Hudson even slept in his Santa hat all night long. We had another day of celebrations and going to Mama and Papa's house. We spent the morning at home and went over to their house about 4pm. 

Mama and Papa always put on a great Christmas for the kids. Their love language is definitely gift giving and they spoil the kids way too much! Instead of the traditional Christmas dinner we did mexican food again this year. And we had way too many desserts for us to even think about eating!

The kids could hardly wait to open presents. Hadley got lots of American girl stuff. She is still crazy about it! Hudson didn't really have "a thing" this year but he got lots of legos, pokemon...boy stuff. And his big surprise this year was a ride-on toy that spins in circles. Mama and Papa surprised them by taking them out into the garage to find it. Both Buck and Hudson got one and they were a huge hit. Even Hadley will get a lot of use out of it as well!

After opening presents and playing for a little while we played Left-Right-Center...always a favorite of mine and I think everyone else's. It is crazy how we can all play now...even Gunner is playing with a little help from everyone else. There was lots of screaming, lots of blowing the dice for luck, and lots of laughing! It was the perfect end to the night. I'm not even sure who all won games...I just know it wasn't me. And I also know whichever kids won ended up splitting the money between all the kids making it that much more fun and sweet. Such a fun night and so sad its over!

Christmas Day

We had such a good Christmas Day. We woke up to a house filled with gifts from Santa and the kids actually slept until 6:30! They were so excited to run down the stairs and see what all they got. Seeing their faces so lit up with joy first thing in the morning might be one of my all time favorite sights!

After opening their stockings they exchanged each others gifts that they bought from the school Christmas shop. Hudson got Hadley a bracelet and an angel teddy bear. I was working the store when he bought it and he could not have been more excited to get it for her. He just kept saying, "mommy, this will be her very favorite present!" Hadley got Hudson a crab that grows in water and an emoji bracelet. She spent so much time trying to find him exactly what he would like best. I LOVE that they get to do this for each other and the other family members. Hudson got me a cross keychain and Hadley got me a cross necklace. Hadley got daddy a baseball that said "best dad ever" on it since playing catch with him is one of her favorite things to do. Hudson got him a mug that says, "best dad ever." They got so much joy out of being able to give them to us.

Mama and Papa came over to see what Santa brought and it was time to open presents from mom and dad. Hudson is still into legos, loves pokemon, and wanted video games for his nintendo 3ds. Hadley still loves all things american girl doll and baby doll. I think they were both pretty thrilled with their presents.

We spent the afternoon as a family resting, building legos, and playing with baby dolls. We went down to Erins to see her family and see what Jase, Lexi, and Jake got. We watched a movie at home and we enjoyed the quiet. That evening we went to Lolly and Pops for a yummy Christmas dinner and more presents. Hudson said the prayer at dinner reminding us that we are thankful Jesus was born and it is the reason we get to celebrate in such a fun way. He also loved telling us that the holiday is NOT about the presents (I'm not sure he fully understands that yet...really, so many of us don't!) We had a great time, the kids got matching pajamas which Jake refused to wear, and we tried to get a picture, which again Jake refused to be in. Oh, to be two again. How quickly you forget what that was like!