Christmas 2012

Christmas has already come and gone. It happens so fast.

We had a very special day celebrating Christmas together as a family! 

Then we ate our special Christmas morning breakfast...Josh made 
homemade cinnamon rolls. They were amazing!

Then we whisked off to church for our annual Christmas morning service, and then home again for our Christmas dinner...Josh and I did all of this cooking! We have an incredible appreciation for our wonderful mothers!

Oh...and right before Christmas we were excited to find out 
that Markell and Brandie are having a little girl!

Aliyah Rose Taylor arrives this May!
I had fun shopping for some Christmas presents for her...

Post Christmas fun...making soda to drink with Rob's new Tasty Science kit!

Christmas Fun All Week Long

We've had a lot of fun getting ready for Christmas...

We went downtown for the Christmas Sing-A-Long

And afterwards we went out for hot cocoa at Starbucks



Christmas shopping...yes Rob has been dressing like a cowboy EVERYDAY!

He gets quite a few compliments on his attire and especially his hat :)

Making Christmas tree cones with our neighbors...so fun and yummy!

Rob made a tree forest!

Mommy, Marcus and Rob went to see the play The Christmas Carol. It was so good. It really spoke to all of us. I asked Rob what he learned from the play and he said, "To love people more than my business."

Good job, Rob! Always remember that :)

Visiting Santa

This Saturday I volunteered at a Christmas Party event, mostly taking pictures and talking with people. Allie and Rob were able to come with me. Allie was beyond excited that she was able to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. I don't think she's ever been to see Santa before. I believe she was the first one in line to see him! Afterwards, she pulled up a chair and sat down right next to him and watched all the other little boys and girls visit with Santa. She seemed so enthralled with him.

As we were leaving the event, Mrs. Claus pulled me aside and shared something with me. Of course, immediately I got nervous...like what did my kids do? But, she said, "In all my years of doing this I have never heard a little child ask Santa this, but your daughter asked Santa what he wanted for Christmas!"

She was completely touched that a child who is always asked what THEY want for Christmas would ask the gift giver, Santa, what he wanted. I was really humbled and touched by Allie's sweet and humble heart.

The next day at church Josh preached about selfishness. In his sermon he shared Allie's Santa story and asked the congregation, "Have you asked God what he wants for Christmas?" I was so convicted because I haven't asked. So often I am a little child always telling God what I want. I've been pondering this question ever since Josh asked it- praying about what I can give to God this Christmas. It is my simple prayer, yet there is no easy, quick answer. I really want to hear from Him.

Feeling Crafty

Last Friday night, some ladies from our church got
 together at our house for a Christmas craft night. 

It was so much fun. I decided to throw in a 
Christmas cookie swap, as well.

Don't these chocolate candy cane cookies look yummy?!
Trust me they taste so good!

We all made the same Noel letters

Since Friday night I've made a few other things :)

Happy 8th Birthday, Rob!

I can't believe my baby Rob turned 8 years old on Saturday!

Best Bros

Marcus bought Rob a toy gun with his own money for Rob's gift, picked out a card and put $5 in it!

 

 Pizza time

Rob loves to do art and paint. So, we had a painting session
during the party. Everyone made their own creation.

Rob loves golf...so it was fitting to hold a putting contest

Presents!