Reindeer Games

A friend at church is downsizing her Christmas decorations and gave our kids a set of stuffed reindeer.  James and Claire have played with almost nothing else since receiving them Sunday evening.  Matt cut out cardboard sleighs for them to decorate.  These reindeer have been sleeping, eating, camping, playing hide and seek, and delivering gifts all over the house.

Family Trip to the Zoo

Christmas Card Photo Shoot

Always easier said than done...

The winner 

The runner-up

And a few others.  Because this is what it was really like...

 

Catching up on Videos

A little excited about tree decorating



James playing with his stomp rocket at Thanksgiving



Ethan from back in September



Claire singing a song from "Frozen" (also in September)



James from October.  He likes to help me fix my coffee.



After anyone would say "Who wants to pray?" Ethan would say "I do!" (October)





Probably two of my favorite videos of Ethan.  From November





James being silly, singing and running.  Early December



Ethan giggling with Daddy.  Early December

Claire's Preschool Christmas Performance

Our little angel is on the second row, between Joseph and the Wise Men.

(This one is pretty cute.  Claire must have enjoyed the "Gloria" part!)

Christmas Cookies and Playing Outside

A Fun December Saturday

Last Saturday began with the Candy Cane breakfast at church

Then we attended the neighborhood party.  James wouldn't get anywhere near Santa.  Ethan was interested in looking at him, but I made no effort to give him over.  It wouldn't have gone well.  On the way to the party, I explained to Claire how usually children tell Santa what they want for Christmas.  Claire did not see the point in doing this since she knows he's not real.  When asked what she wanted, she replied, "I'm not going to tell you."  Santa wasn't quite sure how to respond.

Helping Daddy paint our new mailbox

Ethan helping to wake James from his nap