Elf on the Shelf

Little Red, our elf, has been up to no good! 

Little Red made a snowman with marshmallows

He made an angel out of sugar

He took down all the stockings and hung up the kids underwear

We found him shaving

Climbing up the ladder of the fire truck to the Christmas tree 

It was a snow ball fight with marshmallows

We found Little Red taped to the fireplace with a surrender flag, looked like he had been attacked

Little Red got them back the next night

He's all wrapped up in the toilet paper roll and rolled down the stairs

Little Red was caught riding in the Barbie car

Taking a bath in marshmallows

The First Christmas

Addison has been a part of the Childrens Choir at our church for the past couple of months and has been singing and playing handbells a couple of times during church service.  She got to play Mary in the Christmas program, "The First Christmas" this past weekend. 

Addison saying her one line, "I will happily carry out God's will"

Mary and Joseph

Riding on the donkey



Singing one of the many Christmas songs they learned

 

I have a couple of videos, but having trouble loading them.  I will try again another time and see if I can get it done!

 

 

 

Little Red is Back!!

Little Red made his first appearance this morning back into our home for Christmas.  The kids were so excited to see him back.  Who knows what he'll be up to this year...stay tuned to see!

 

 

Operation Christmas Child

We just love supporting Operation Christmas Child around this time of year and our kids get so excited to buy gifts for other little boys and girls.  It makes us so happy to see our kids want to give other kids a nice Christmas.  This year we are actually going to find out what country our boxes will be delivered in.  The kids decided to do 2 kids a piece, so we did 2 boys, ages 2-4, and 2 girls, ages 5-9.  We had so much fun buying for other kids.  I hope we can continue this tradition in our house each Christmas. 



Everything before it was packed up

All packed up in shoe boxes

The Polar Express

We love The Polar Express, the book and the movie!  So when we found out about the preschools in the area were putting on a Polar Express event, we were there.  We were greeted by the train conductor who punched the kids golden tickets. Then we entered into the North Pole, where we saw Santa Claus and he gave all the kids a reindeer bell from his sleigh, the kids made hot cocoa mix, reindeer food, snowglobes, and an ornament.  Lastly, the conductor read the story of the Polar Express. 

The conductor punching their tickets

Scooping out cocoa, chocolate chips, and marshmallows

Getting food for the reindeer

Making snowglobes

Building ice scupltures

Decorating wreath ornaments

Visiting with Santa Claus

Little Red

Little Red, our Elf on the Shelf, is back at it again this Christmas season.  Here are some of the things the kids have caught him doing at night.

Shaving

Bathing in marshmallows

Making snowflakes with q-tips

You never know what to expect with Little Red.  I wonder what kind of mischief he will get into tonight!

Visit with Santa Claus 2012

We had a great visit with Santa Claus this past weekend at the Hawthorn Bank in Clinton.  Santa and Mrs. Claus were both there for the kids to see.  They also got to make several ornaments to hang on the tree and a picture frame for their picture with Santa.  Along with all the crafts were Christmas cookies and punch.  The kids had a great time!

Rhyder telling Santa what he wants for Christmas!

Pictures with Santa Claus

With Christmas just around the corner, my kids are getting excited to see Santa Claus and tell him what they want for Christmas.  For fun, I thought I would post our Christmas photos from the past 5 years.

Addison's first Christmas, 2007

 

 

 

Addison's 2nd Christmas, 2008

 

 

Rhyder's First Christmas, 2009

Christmas, 2010

Christmas 2011

 

Merry Christmas 2011

We had a wonderful Christmas Day at home in Utah just the four of us.  We missed are family back in Texas, but it was so nice not to have to get dressed and rush out the door to go somewhere.  The kids stayed in their pajamas all day.  We made a wonderful breakfast and had snack food all day.  The kids played with all their new toys they got from Santa Claus and Chad and I just relaxed for the day. 





Early risers on Christmas morning



This face is priceless



Addison's gifts from Santa










Rhyder's gifts from Santa






Rhyder's gift from Addison

Opening her gift from Rhyder