Christmas

Thankfully the girls are not yet at the age where they wake up ridiculously early on Christmas morning.  In fact, they probably would have slept much later had Shelby not heard Jeremy get up and use the bathroom (we slept upstairs just in case Shelby woke up in the middle of the night- I didn't want her walking downstairs.).  Jeremy and Shelby went in to get Joey while I ran down to get the camera and video camera ready.  When we were all set up we opened the gate and let them come down.  These girls are abnormally calm on Christmas morning.  They were definitely excited and thankful...I think they just hadn't fully woken up yet.

For breakfast I made Bananas Foster french toast and bacon.  I was going to make these really cute reindeer pancakes I saw on Pinterest, but c'mon...Bananas Foster french toast just sounds way better, right?

 After breakfast we had to hurry and clean up and get ready for church.  Everyone did a great job singing.  I laughed when the Primary sang because Shelby did the same thing she did during her school program- bopped her head and played with her hair.

After church I hurried to finish up Christmas dinner.  We had turkey, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, cornbread dressing, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, brussel sprouts, rolls, and cranberry sauce.  And to top that off, I made a cheesecake for dessert.  Whew!  Man were we full. 

We had a great Christmas.  We are sad not to be able to see family at this time of year- it is just too difficult for us to travel.  But we want everyone to know how loved and missed you are.  We are thankful for good friends who can step in and help fill the void.  We are thankful for Mary and Joseph and their role in the Plan of Salvation.  And we are especially thankful for the Savior and for His love and sacrifice for us.  Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a great day.  We didn't have any plans for the day, I just knew my ultimate goal was to do something fun as a family.  We ended up watching Jaeda and Jazmin so their mom and dad could take the rest of their kids to the airport.  We always have fun when they come over.  We played dress up, watched Kung Fu Panda 2, had manicures and pedicures, got rid of the last of the Halloween candy made gingerbread houses, and played, played, played. 

Joey needed her diaper changed and Jaz volunteered (it was just a wet diaper).  She did the whole thing herself.  I think I've found us a new babysitter. :)

This was the cutest thing ever.  Jaeda just snuggled right up to Jeremy.

Shelby's pick - red with purple polka dots.

After the girls went home and Shelby and Joey had been bathed and brushed their teeth it was time for Christmas jammies and reindeer food.  So the tradition we started last year was that Buddy brings us Christmas pajamas.  I don't know why I expected Shelby to remember this, but I did.  When we told her Buddy had a present for us to open I guess she was expecting a toy.  Well, she was kind of disappointed when she opened pajamas.  Just look at her face:

After that we had to have a talk with her about manners and how it doesn't matter what present you got or who gave it to you, you ALWAYS say thank you.  She was fine after that. 

After that we put some shoes on to run outside and sprinkle some reindeer food on the lawn. The sprinkles glitter and help the reindeer find their way to your house. ;)

Next up: Christmas!



Do you believe?

It seems there is a growing division among Christian households- those who allow their children to believe in Santa Claus, and those who don't. Those who do tell their children Santa Claus isn't real state that it is so they can have a more Christ-centered Christmas. I think that is a great idea. Certainly the Savior's birth is the reason- obviously there would be no Christmas if it weren't for that. However, I don't think it has to be so black and white. I think that there is a way to encompass all things Christmas while still teaching your children the true "reason for the season".

In our house, we have made it a point to teach our kids that first and foremost the reason we celebrate Christmas is because of our Savior's birth. We spend time reading the scriptures, talking about how uncomfortable Mary must have been riding a donkey while pregnant, how different it would have been to have a baby in a manger with all kinds of stinky animals around, rather than in a (relatively) comfortable hospital. We play with the nativity set and talk about each piece. There is no doubt that my 4 yr old understands why we celebrate Christmas (my 20 month old might not (yet), but that is just age, not for lack of us trying).

All of the other stuff- visiting Santa Claus, giving presents, making gingerbread houses, Elf on the Shelf, etc.- I find to be fantastic ways to spend time and make memories together as a family. Some of my fondest memories growing up are centered around Christmas. Like the year we opened TJ Cinnamon's. We all had money because we all had been working, and we all spent all of our money getting each other the best gifts. It wasn't about having expensive things, we just really wanted to see each other happy. Selflessness and wanting to make people happy- what wonderful, Christ-like attributes!

I love watching my girls get excited every morning when they find Buddy (our Elf on the Shelf) in a new spot. I love sitting around the table decorating gingerbread houses, cookies, and handmade ornaments. I LOVE watching my kids open presents on Christmas morning. Taking the girls on the North Pole Express had absolutely nothing to do with Jesus, but it was a wonderful way to spend the evening together as a family.

Does participating in these activities mean we are less Christian or spiritual than others? You can think that if you want. However I know in my heart that my family knows why we have Christmas. We also know how to make traditions and have a good time together, as a family.

A Very Pre-K Christmas

Monday night Shelby had her Christmas program at school.  It was so cute to see her sing with her class.  She was a little nervous and played with her hair nearly the whole time.









Then today they had their party.  I was very glad it was during my "lunch break" and I could go see Shelby with her friends.  It's always funny to see how your kids act in different environments, but mostly Shelby was the same as she is at home - silly, curious, and mostly polite.

Birthday Girl

This weekend we took a quick trip down to my sister, Jordan's, house in Beaumont.  Mom and Dad came in from Utah, and Brianne, Brian, and Claire came from Louisiana and we had a 1/3 McGrath Family reunion.  I hate that we couldn't be there longer.  We always have fun when we are together!

All weekend long Joey was attached to my sister, Brianne.  We laugh because we are only 19 months apart, and all through high school people (including Jeremy) thought we were twins.  We both worked at Service Merchandise, and would be on registers next to each other, and people would do double takes all the time.  I think Joey kept getting confused.  She even called Brianne "mama" a couple times.  Actually, that worked out perfectly for us because it allowed us a chance to sneak off to our good friends', Mike and Jenny's, for a a couple hours.  It was great to be able to see them and play with baby Leia!

The cousins all had so much fun together.  They exchanged Christmas gifts, made foam gingerbread houses, and pretty much lived in dress-ups all weekend.  And of course, no visit with Grandma and Grandpa is complete without shavy-gravies and wrestling with Grandpa!

Also, today is Mom's birthday.  So glad we could spend time with this crazy lady on her special day!  Love you, Mom!

Heheheheee...Sorry, I know it's blurry, but I included it just for you, Mom!



Busy

It seems we have been pretty busy lately.  Between work, church, preschool, gymnastics, Holiday activities, scouts, sickness, traveling, chores...well, you get the idea.  Tonight I am staying up late doing laundry and packing so we can take a quick trip down to Beaumont for the weekend.  But before we go down I wanted to 1) actually make dinner tonight because it seems we have been eating out way too often lately, and 2) do another quick Christmas craft.

I'm not sure where I saw these- probably Pinterest.  I was planning on making meatloaf and mashed potatoes tonight and then I remembered this.  It really doesn't take any more effort to make this than it does regular meatloaf, and these are so much cuter!  Shelby came down and said, "We're having cupcakes?!".  I think they were a success.

For the craft, I wanted to get started on making some ornaments.  I cannot think of anything to get Jeremy's grandparents for Christmas.  They are literally the last people I need gifts for.  I finally decided that since they really don't need anything from any stores, we'd go the homemade route.  So tonight we cut out and baked the ornaments, and we'll paint, wrap, and mail them when we get back.  I think they will turn out cute!

Don't mind the half-wet half-dry hair. 

Yes, Jeremy wears his wedding ring on his middle finger.  We both need our rings re-sized.  Notice the Fleur-de-lis ornaments.  WHO DAT!